ARACHNODACTYLY (Marfan’s syndrome)
A rare inherited disorder characterized by long limbs and spidery hands and feet (the term means “spidery fingers”), and usually…
ATTITUDE SCALES
Psychological instruments designed to measure personal attitudes on a variety of topics and issues.Typically, attitude scales contain a set of…
APRAXIA (literally, “inability to act or do”)
Loss of ability to perform purposeful movements or manipulate common objects.This disorder is caused by injury or disease which damages…
ARTERIOSCLEROTIC BRAIN DISORDER
A psychotic disorder caused by hardening of the arteries in the brain; classified by The American Psychiatric Association (1952) as…
ALLPORT - VERNON - LENDZEY STUDY OF VALUES
A personality test which attempts to uncover the individual’s dominant and pervasive interests.The study is in the form of a…
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1925, the APA is the major psychological organization in the United States.Its membership, now…
ASSERTION-STRUCTURED THERAPY
A systematic approach to psychotherapy developed by E. Lakin Phil lips, based upon the theory that neurotic tendencies can be…
ATARACTIC (Atanndc)
(literally “undisturbed”). A drug used to control anxiety, tension, and overactivity without causing somnolence—a tranquilizer. See tranquilizers, chemotherapy.The get of…
ALCOHOLIC ADDICTION
Chronic dependence on the use of alcoholic beverages. In 1949 a committee of the World Health Organization defined alcoholics as…
AFTERIMAGE (Aftersensation)
A sensation that arises out of another sensation immediately after the original stimulation ceases. A positive afterimage is a continuation…
ADOLESCENCE (Theories)
Adolescence is probably the most controversial of all periods of human development. Since the beginning of this century literally dozens…
AEROPHAGIA (Aerophagy)
This term means, literally, “air-eating,” and applies to automatic swallowing or gulping of air as a psychiatric symptom.Excessive swallowing of…
ADRENAL GLANDS
A pair of endocrine glands, located above the kidneys, which secrete hormones that control emotional reactions and basic life processes…
ALLOPSYCHIC
A general term characterizing the assignment or projection of one’s own thoughts or ideas to people or events in the…
AER HUNGER
Our breathing is so regular and automatic that we usually take it for granted. Yet the effects of deprivation are…
ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
The minimum level of stimulation that can be detected 50 per cent of the time; also called “detection threshold.” What…
AFFECTIONAL DRIVE
The urge to be close to and in contact with another living being; usually classified as a “general drive,” that…