Mixed Deck — All APA Topics Flashcards

What is 'organizational citizenship behavior' (OCB)?

Answer: Voluntary behaviors that go beyond formal job requirements and support organizational effectiveness

OCBs are discretionary, extra-role behaviors (e.g., helping colleagues, civic virtue) that are not formally rewarded but contribute to organizational functioning.

What distinguishes Bipolar I Disorder from Bipolar II Disorder?

Answer: Bipolar I involves at least one full manic episode; Bipolar II involves hypomania only

Bipolar I is defined by at least one manic episode (which may be severe enough to require hospitalization), while Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes that never reach full mania.

Which term describes the tendency for raters to give all employees ratings clustered near the midpoint of a scale?

Answer: Central tendency error

Central tendency error occurs when raters avoid extreme ratings and assign everyone scores near the middle of the scale, reducing the ability to differentiate performance levels.

Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?

Answer: GABA

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal excitability throughout the brain and spinal cord.

What is a 'structured interview' and why does it have higher validity than an unstructured interview?

Answer: An interview with standardized, job-relevant questions and a scoring rubric, reducing interviewer bias

Structured interviews use predetermined, job-relevant questions and standardized rating scales, which reduce subjectivity and biases, significantly increasing their predictive validity over unstructured formats.

Action potentials in neurons follow the all-or-none principle, which means:

Answer: A neuron fires at full strength once threshold is reached, or not at all

The all-or-none principle states that a neuron either fires at full strength when threshold is reached or does not fire; stimulus intensity is coded by firing rate, not action potential magnitude.

A researcher measures anxiety before and after a treatment in the same group. Which statistical test is most appropriate?

Answer: Paired-samples t-test

The paired-samples (dependent) t-test compares means from two related measurements taken from the same participants.

What is 'learned helplessness' as described by Martin Seligman, and how does it relate to depression?

Answer: A state of reduced motivation arising from repeated experiences of uncontrollable negative outcomes

Seligman's learned helplessness model proposes that depression results from believing one cannot control outcomes, stemming from repeated experiences where actions had no effect on results.

What does 'criterion validity' mean in the context of I-O psychology selection tools?

Answer: Scores on a predictor correlate with scores on a measure of job performance

Criterion validity (predictive or concurrent) is demonstrated when predictor scores (e.g., a test) significantly correlate with a criterion of job performance or success.

What is 'flat affect' as seen in some patients with schizophrenia?

Answer: Significantly diminished emotional expression in face, voice, and body

Flat affect is a negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by reduced or absent outward expression of emotion through facial expressions, voice, and gestures.

Which type of long-term memory involves skills and habits that are expressed through performance rather than conscious recall?

Answer: Procedural (implicit) memory

Procedural memory stores skills and conditioned responses (like riding a bike) that are performed automatically without requiring conscious recollection.

What is 'deindividuation' in social psychology?

Answer: Loss of self-awareness and personal responsibility in groups, often leading to impulsive behavior

Deindividuation occurs when anonymity and group immersion reduce self-monitoring and personal accountability, increasing the likelihood of norm-violating behavior.

What is 'debriefing' as described in APA ethical guidelines?

Answer: Explaining the study's true purpose and correcting misconceptions after participation

Debriefing is a post-study procedure where researchers explain the study's actual purpose, correct any deception used, and address participant concerns.

The parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system is primarily responsible for:

Answer: Rest-and-digest functions that conserve energy

The parasympathetic division promotes rest-and-digest functions, slowing heart rate, stimulating digestion, and conserving energy when the body is not under threat.

Which leadership theory proposes that the most effective leadership style depends on the readiness and maturity of followers?

Answer: Situational leadership theory (Hersey & Blanchard)

Hersey and Blanchard's situational leadership theory argues that leaders should adapt their style (directing, coaching, supporting, delegating) based on followers' task competence and commitment.

During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, brain activity most closely resembles:

Answer: A waking, alert state

EEG recordings during REM sleep show high-frequency, low-amplitude waves nearly identical to the waking state, which is why REM is often called paradoxical sleep.

Which parenting style, identified by Baumrind, is associated with the best developmental outcomes in U.S. children?

Answer: Authoritative

Authoritative parenting — warm yet firm, with clear expectations and explanations — is associated with higher self-esteem, academic success, and social competence.

What is 'in-group favoritism' in social identity theory?

Answer: Bias toward one's own group and its members over out-groups

In-group favoritism is the tendency to give preferential treatment and more positive evaluations to members of one's own social group compared to out-group members.

What is 'transfer of training' in the context of organizational learning and development?

Answer: The degree to which skills learned in training are applied on the job

Transfer of training is the extent to which trainees effectively apply what they learned in training to their actual job tasks and situations.

The cerebellum is primarily responsible for:

Answer: Coordinating voluntary movement, balance, and fine motor control

The cerebellum integrates sensory feedback with motor commands to coordinate smooth, precise voluntary movements and maintain balance.