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N., Sam M.S.

Sam holds a masters in Child Psychology and is an avid supporter of Psychology academics.
18571 Articles

AROMATASE

n. an enzyme that works to convert many of the male sex hormones (androgens) into female sex hormones (estrogens). See

AROMATHERAPY

n. a type of therapy that aims to improve psychological and physical health by using aromatic oils extracted from herbs,

AROMATIC

adj. in the Zwaardemaker smell system, this denotes an odor quality that may be smelled in spices and camphor.

AROMATIZATION HYPOTHESIS

the hypothesis that in rodents, testicular androgens enter the brain and are converted into estrogens by the aromatase enzyme. This

AROUSAL

1. a state of physiological alertness and readiness for action. 2. a pervasive state of cortical responsiveness believed to be

AROUSAL JAG

an increase of activation followed by a sudden decrease, often accompanied by laughter to signify a release of tension. The

AROUSAL LEVEL

the level to which an organism is alert to stimuli and therefore physiologically responsive to it.

AROUSAL POTENTIAL

the innate capability of a stimulus to induce arousal. According to British-born Canadian psychologist Daniel E. Berlyne (1924-1976), a preference

AROUSAL REGULATION

the controlling of cognitive and physiological activation using natural or cognitive-behavioral methods. See also autogenic training.

AROUSAL SYSTEM

a diffuse system of nerve cells that controls arousal by activating both the central nervous system and the autonomic nervous

AROUSAL THEORY

1. the theory that the physical environment can affect arousal levels by stimulating brain-based mechanisms. Stress and arousal are created

AROUSAL STATE

1. currently functioning in some way or performing some action, either continuously or intermittently. 2. exerting an effect or influence

AROUSAL TRAINING

a technique in behavior therapy that teaches clients to detect and recognize levels of physiological arousal at any given time,

AROUSAL TRANSFER

an increase in the intensity of one emotion that follows the experience of an initial emotion. For instance, the intensity

AROUSAL-BOOST MECHANISM

any stimulus pattern produced by contact with a stimulus that gives rise to a measurable pleasant (pleasure) effect. The arousal

AROUSAL-PERFORMANCE RELATIONSHIP

the relationship between cognitive or physiological arousal (or both) and achievement on cognitive or physical tasks. Researchers suggest that too

AROUSAL-REDUCTION MECHANISM

any stimulus or reaction that decreases the degree of arousal within an individual after arousal has reached an uncomfortably high

ARP TESTS

The Aptitude Research Project tests of divergent thinking were produced by the Southern California Aptitude Research Project. Test items include

ARPEGGIO PARADOX

the contradiction of the stimulus-response view of a chain of behavior, evidenced by the speed at which accomplished pianists play

ARRANGED MARRIAGE

a marriage planned and contracted by the parents or other relatives of the couple. In cultures in which arranged marriages