Study Guide: Intro to Psychology – Exam #3 Overview and Key Concepts

Exam Format and Structure

Overview

This study guide outlines the format and major content areas for Exam #3 in an introductory psychology course. The exam consists of multiple-choice and matching sections, focusing on psychological theories, disorders, and terminology.

• Multiple Choice Section: 33 questions (2 pts. each), covering content from lectures, notes, and readings.

• Matching Sections: Two parts—one on social psychology terms and examples, and one on psychological disorders and their symptoms.

Major Topics and Concepts

Social Psychology Terms and Examples

Social psychology examines how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Key terms and phenomena are essential for understanding group dynamics, attitudes, and interpersonal relationships.

• Fundamental Attribution Error: The tendency to overemphasize personal traits and underestimate situational factors when explaining others' behavior.

• Self-serving Bias: Attributing successes to internal factors and failures to external factors.

• Social Facilitation: Improved performance on tasks in the presence of others.

• Social Loafing: Reduced effort by individuals when working in groups compared to working alone.

• Bystander Effect: The likelihood of helping decreases as the number of bystanders increases.

• Group Polarization: The tendency for group decisions to be more extreme than individual decisions.

• Groupthink: The desire for harmony in a group leads to poor decision-making.

• Conformity: Adjusting behavior or thinking to match group norms.

• Obedience: Complying with instructions from an authority figure.

• Altruism: Unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

• Social Roles: Expected behaviors associated with particular positions in society.

• Cognitive Dissonance: Psychological discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or behaviors.

• Prejudice: Negative attitudes toward a group based on stereotypes.

• Discrimination: Unjust treatment of individuals based on group membership.

• Additional info: These terms are foundational for understanding social influence, group behavior, and interpersonal processes in psychology.

Psychological Disorders and Symptoms

Psychological disorders are patterns of thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment. Recognizing symptoms and differentiating between disorders is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.

• Major Depressive Disorder: Persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms lasting at least two weeks.

• Bipolar Disorder: Alternating periods of depression and mania (elevated mood, energy, and activity).

• Panic Disorder: Recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of future attacks.

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

• Phobic Disorders: Irrational fears of specific objects or situations (e.g., social phobia, specific phobia).

• Schizophrenia: Disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior, including delusions and hallucinations.

• Somatoform Disorders: Physical symptoms without a medical cause (e.g., conversion disorder).

• Dissociative Disorders: Disruptions in consciousness, memory, or identity (e.g., dissociative identity disorder).

• Antisocial Personality Disorder: Disregard for others' rights, impulsivity, and lack of remorse.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors.

• Additional info: Understanding diagnostic criteria and symptom profiles is essential for distinguishing between disorders and planning appropriate interventions.

Exam Preparation Tips

• Review all lecture materials, notes, and assigned readings.

• Focus on understanding definitions, examples, and distinguishing features of key terms and disorders.

• Practice applying concepts to real-life scenarios and case studies.