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Definition The Arousal Theory of Motivation suggests that individuals are motivated to maintain an optimal level of arousal—neither too low nor too high. According to this theory, people engage in behaviors that either increase their arousal levels if they fee...

Definition The Asch Line Experiment is a psychological study conducted by Solomon Asch in the 1950s to examine how individuals conform to social pressure, even when it contradicts their own judgment. In the experiment, participants were shown two cards: one wi...

Definition Ascribed status refers to social positions or roles that are assigned to individuals at birth or involuntarily later in life based on factors beyond their control, such as family background, race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. These statuses are n...

Definition Assimilation is a process through which individuals or groups adopt the cultural norms, values, and practices of a dominant culture, often leading to the integration of those individuals or groups into the majority society. This process typically re...

Definition Associative learning is a process by which individuals learn to connect two or more stimuli or events through repeated experiences. In the context of social psychology, it often involves linking a neutral stimulus (something that doesn’t naturally e...

Definition Attachment refers to the strong emotional bonds that develop between individuals, particularly between a child and their primary caregiver. These relationships are essential for emotional security, social development, and coping with challenges. Psy...

Definition In psychology, attitude refers to a learned tendency or mental orientation that predisposes an individual to respond positively or negatively towards specific objects, people, situations, or behaviors. An attitude consists of three components: Cogn...

Definition The auditory system is a complex network responsible for detecting and interpreting sound. Comprising both the ears and specific areas of the brain, it processes sound waves through three main parts: Outer Ear: Collects sound waves via the pinna (e...

Definition Auditory transduction is the process by which sound waves in the environment are converted into electrical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. This occurs within the inner ear, specifically in the cochlea, where tiny hair cells detect mech...

Definition Automatic processing refers to the unconscious or effortless way our brains encode, store, and retrieve information without requiring active thought or attention. It contrasts with effortful processing, which demands deliberate effort. This type of ...

Definition The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions. These include heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, urination, and sexual arousal. The ANS works automatically, without cons...

Definition The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut where people estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind. It influences judgments by making events that are more memorable or frequently discussed seem more probable t...

Definition An axon is a long, slender projection of a nerve cell (neuron) that carries electrical impulses away from the neuron's main body (soma). It acts like a communication line, sending signals to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Axons are crucial for t...

Definition Behavioral ecology is a field of study that examines how people behave in relation to their environment, focusing on how these behaviors contribute to survival, reproduction, and overall fitness. It draws insights from evolutionary biology, psycholo...

Definition Behavioral therapy is a type of psychological treatment focused on changing problematic behaviors, habits, or thoughts. It operates on the principle that behaviors are learned through interactions with our environment, and therefore can be unlearned...

Definition Behaviorism is a psychological approach that focuses on understanding how people learn and behave by observing their interactions with their environment. It suggests that behavior is shaped by external factors, such as rewards, punishments, and rein...

Definition Behavioral theories of deviance explain how individuals learn and adopt deviant behaviors through their interactions with others in society. These theories suggest that people are not inherently deviant but rather learn deviance by observing, imitat...

Definition Biological markers of mental illness, often called biomarkers, are measurable changes in the body that researchers hope will indicate the presence or progression of a mental health condition. These markers could include variations in brain structure...

Definition Biological theories of deviance are explanations that focus on how biological factors, such as genetics, brain structure, and hormones, influence an individual's likelihood of engaging in behaviors considered deviant by society. These theories sugge...

Definition The "birth of psychology" refers to the emergence of psychology as a distinct scientific discipline separate from philosophy and biology. This occurred in the late 19th century when Wilhelm Wundt, often considered the father of psychology, establish...