Glossary / Lexicon

Action

Deutsch: Handlung / Español: Acción / Português: Ação / Français: Action / Italiano: Azione /

Action includes motor activities, such as moving the head or eyes and locomoting through the environment. Action is also the stage in the Transtheoretical Model where subjects are actually changing their behavior. The change has to have taken place over the last six (6) months and should involve active efforts to change the behavior.

Description

Action in the psychology context refers to the process of making decisions and carrying out behaviors based on one's thoughts, intentions, and motivations. It involves the initiation and execution of voluntary actions that are influenced by various internal and external factors. Actions can range from simple tasks like walking or talking to complex behaviors like problem-solving or decision-making. The study of action in psychology helps to understand how individuals perceive, plan, and execute their behaviors in different situations. It also explores the role of cognitive processes, emotions, and environmental influences on human actions.

Application Areas

  • Behavioral psychology
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Social psychology
  • Developmental psychology
  • Clinical psychology

Treatment and Risks

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Exposure therapy
  • Physical exercise as a treatment for certain mental health disorders
  • Risks include impulsive actions leading to negative consequences
  • Over-reliance on external sources for decision-making

Examples

  • Making a decision to switch careers
  • Taking steps to overcome a fear of public speaking
  • Engaging in physical exercise to reduce stress
  • Problem-solving in a group setting
  • Resisting temptation in order to achieve a long-term goal

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

  • Behavior
  • Motivation
  • Intention
  • Volition
  • Execution

Weblinks

Articles with 'Action' in the title

  • Action Potential: Action Potential: Action Potential refers to the all-or-none electrical event in the neuron or muscle cell in which the polarity of the cell membrane is rapidly reversed and then reestablished
  • Action potential: Action potential : Action potential refers to a brief change in electrical voltage that occurs between the inside and the outside of an axon when a neuron is stimulated- it serves to produce an electrical impulse
  • Action research: Action research refers to the research conducted by teachers, administrators, and other change agents in the school to improve the educational environment of their students, the goal of of which is to understand a specific problem or to imp . . .
  • Affirmative action: Affirmative action is the process of ensuring proportional representation of employees based on variables such as race and sex. Affirmative action strategies include intentional recruitment of minority applicants, identification and removal . . .
  • Fixed action pattern (FAP): Fixed action pattern (FAP) : Fixed action pattern (FAP ) : Fixed action pattern or FAP refers to a stereotyped pattern of behavior that is evoked by a "releasing stimulus"- an instinct
  • Joint action: Joint action is defined as an action carried out by an ensemble of people acting in coordination with one another. Examples include dancing and conversing
  • Mass action: Mass action is the theory that the cortex works as a whole, and the more cortex the better. Mass action also refers to the extent to which behavioral impairments are directly proportional to the mass of the removed brain tissue
  • Modal action pattern: Modal action pattern refer to series of interrelated acts found in all or nearly all members of a species. Modal action pattern is also called Fixed action pattern, species-specific behavior or species typical behavior- formerly called inst . . .
  • Participatory action research: Participatory action research : Participatory action research refers to n approach to social research in which the people being studied are given control over the purpose and procedures of the research
  • Theory of reasoned action: Theory of reasoned action : Theory of reasoned action refers to a theory holding that the best predictors of a person's planned, deliberate behaviors are that person's attitudes toward specific behaviors and his or her subjective norms- O . . .
  • Anniversary reaction: Anniversary reaction refer to feelings of sadness and loneliness on holidays, birthdays, and the anniversary of a loved one’s death. Moreover, Anniversary reaction refer to changes in behavior related to feelings of sadness on the anniver . . .
  • Attraction: Attraction refer to anything that draws two (2) or more people together, making them want to be together and possibly to form a lasting relationship- Attraction refers to the feelings of liking or wanting to be around a particular person . . .
  • Choice reaction time: Choice reaction time refers to a measure of the speed of mental processing in which the subject has to choose between one of several responses depending on which stimulus is presented
  • Choice-reaction: Choice-reaction is a significant concept in psychology, primarily related to cognitive processes, decision-making, and motor responses. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the meaning of choice-reaction in the psychological co . . .
  • Constricting actions: Constricting actions is defined as an interaction in which one partner tries to emerge as the victor by threatening or contradicting the other. In the psychology context, "constricting actions" refer to behaviors or actions that limit or re . . .
  • Contraction: "Contraction" refers to the shortening and tightening of a muscle, typically as a result of nerve stimulation. Muscle contractions are essential for various bodily functions, including movement, stability, and organ function
  • Conversion reaction: Conversion reaction refers to a disorder in which a psychological disturbance takes a physical form, such as when arms or legs are paralyzed and there is no physiological explanation
  • Crossover interaction: Crossover interaction refers to the reversal of the effect of one independent variable on a dependent variable at a certain level of a second independent variable
  • Developmental Interaction Curriculum: Developmental Interaction Curriculum: Developmental Interaction Curriculum refers to a curriculum which is individualized in relation to each child"s stage of development, while providing many opportunities for children to inte ract and bec . . .
  • Digital subtraction angiography: Digital subtraction angiography is defined as a procedure in which the X-ray image of the brain is stored and subtracted after the images of the contrast material have been acquired
  • Dissatisfaction: Dissatisfaction in the Psychology Context: Understanding, Coping, and Finding Satisfaction- In the field of psychology, dissatisfaction refers to a state of discontentment or unhappiness that individuals experience in various aspects of t . . .
  • Distraction-conflict theory: Distraction-conflict theory refers to an analysis of performance gains in groups assuming that when others are present, attention is divided between the other people and the task- this attentional conflict increases motivation and so it f . . .
  • Eccentric contraction: Eccentric contraction is defined as a contraction in which the muscle lengthens in an attempt to control the motion which occurs at the joints which it crosses, characterized by the force of gravity or applied resistance being greater than . . .
  • Faction: In the psychology context, the term 'faction' refers to a group of people who share a common interest, opinion, or ideology and work together towards achieving their shared goals
  • Hibernation reaction: Hibernation reaction refers to a Mood disorder involving a cycling of episodes corresponding to the seasons of the year, typically with depression occurring during the winter
  • Human-computer interaction: Human-computer interaction or HCI refers to the application of human factors to the design of computers and computer soft ware.
  • Impacted grief reaction: Impacted grief reaction refers to extreme reaction to the death of a loved one that involves psychotic features, suicidal ideation, or severe loss of weight or energy or that persists more than two (2) months
  • Interaction: Interaction is an experimental result that occurs when the levels of one independent variable are differentially affected by the levels of other independent variables- the effect of one factor as in biology depends on another factor such as . . .
  • Interaction model of anxiety: The Interaction model of anxiety is based on a distinction between state anxiety (A- State) and trait anxiety (A- Trait). A- State is a transitory condition characterized by a response of tension and apprehension
  • Interaction process analysis: Interaction process analysis: Interaction process analysis is a method devised by Bales in which observers code the behavior of group members in terms of various categories
  • Isometric contraction: Isometric contraction is defined as a type of contraction with little or no shortening of the muscle resulting in no appreciable change in the joint angle
  • Job satisfaction: Job satisfaction is defined as the degree to which a person is comfortable with or satisfied with his or her work- the attitude employees have toward their jobs- the positive feeling that results from an appraisal of one’s work- Descripti . . .
  • Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire: Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire refers to a measure of job satisfaction that yields scores on 20 dimensions.
  • Olfaction: Olfaction refers to the sense of smell, which plays an important role in human psychology and behavior. Our sense of smell is closely linked to our emotions, memories, and perceptions, and can have a powerful impact on our mood and behavior . . .
  • Pathological grief reaction: Pathological grief reaction refers to extreme reaction to the death of a loved one that involves psychotic features, suicidal ideation, or severe loss of weight or energy or that persists more than two (2) months
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction: Polymerase Chain Reaction: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) refers to a technique in molecular genetics that permits the analysis of any short sequence of DNA (or RNA) even in samples containing only minute quantities of DNA or RNA
  • Protraction: Protraction is the forward movement of the shoulder girdle away from the spine- abduction of the scapula. In psychology, protraction refers to the tendency to prolong an experience or event, often in an excessive or unnecessary manner
  • Reaction Formation: Reaction Formation refers to the converting of wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous into their opposites. Reaction formation is a defense mechanism in which a person reacts to an unacceptable or undesirable thought, feeling . . .
  • Relationship interaction: Relationship interaction refer to the actions performed by group members that relate to or influence the emotional and interpersonal bonds within the group, including both positive actions, examples are social support, consideration and neg . . .
  • Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction: Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a a highly sensitive technique for the detection and quantitation of mRNA (messenger RNA). The technique consists of two parts: 1
  • Satisfaction: In psychology, "satisfaction" refers to an individual's overall contentment or fulfillment with various aspects of their life, experiences, or achievements
  • Social Interaction: Social Interaction refers to a dynamic, changing sequence of social action between two or more people whose actions and reactions are modified by their interaction partners
  • Subtraction: Subtraction in the Psychology Context: In psychology, subtraction is not a mathematical operation but rather a cognitive process related to information processing and decision-making

Summary

Action in the psychology context refers to the process of decision-making and behavior execution influenced by internal and external factors. It involves the initiation and execution of voluntary behaviors, from simple tasks to complex problem-solving. Understanding actions helps in comprehending cognitive processes, emotions, and environmental influences on human behaviors.

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