Introductory topics in Psychology Key Terms

Attachment

A deep and enduring emotional bond that develops between an infant and a primary caregiver, influencing later relationships.

Cultural variation

Differences in behaviours, beliefs, and practices that arise from distinct cultural contexts, which can affect psychological processes such as attachment.

Attachment

A strong emotional bond that forms between an infant and a primary caregiver, essential for healthy development.

Maternal Deprivation

A sustained lack of maternal care that can interfere with the development of secure attachment.

Institutionalisation

Early childhood care in an impersonal setting that often lacks consistent, responsive caregiving.

Attachment

The emotional bond between a child and caregiver that influences the child's social and emotional development.

Attachment Theory

A theoretical perspective that emphasises the importance of early caregiver relationships in shaping emotional and relational development.

Secure Attachment

An attachment style characterised by confidence in caregiver availability, leading to healthy emotional regulation and positive adult relationships.

Mental health

The absence of deviation from ideal mental health, deviation from social or cultural norms, failure to function adequately, and statistical infrequency.

Statistical infrequency

A criterion indicating that a behaviour or symptom is uncommon in the general population, signalling a potential disorder.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

A behavioural technique used in CBT for OCD that involves systematic exposure to anxiety‑provoking stimuli while preventing the usual compulsive response, thereby reducing anxiety over time.

Anhedonia

The loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable, a core emotional symptom of major depressive disorder.

Two‑process model

A behavioural theory that posits a fear response is triggered by a stimulus and that a safety signal can be learned to inhibit that response.

Systematic desensitisation

A behavioural treatment that combines relaxation training with graded exposure to a feared stimulus to extinguish the phobic response.

Beck’s negative triad

A pattern of negative beliefs about the self, the world and the future that underpins depressive thinking.

Ellis’s ABC model

A cognitive framework linking Activating events, Beliefs and Consequences, used to identify and challenge irrational thoughts.

Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental disorder characterised by intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

Serotonin Transporter Gene (5‑HTTLPR)

A polymorphic region of the gene that codes for the serotonin transporter; variations influence serotonin reuptake and are linked to OCD risk.