ASYLUM (Insane Asylum)
(literally, “refuge”)- An obsolete term for a mental hospital or psychiatric institution The word has a long history. According to…
ATARACTIC (Atanndc)
(literally “undisturbed”). A drug used to control anxiety, tension, and overactivity without causing somnolence—a tranquilizer. See tranquilizers, chemotherapy.The get of…
AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION
The Association describes itself as “A society of medical specialists brought together by a common interest in the continuing study…
ATTITUDE SCALES
Psychological instruments designed to measure personal attitudes on a variety of topics and issues.Typically, attitude scales contain a set of…
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1892 and incorporated in 1925, the APA is the major psychological organization in the United States.Its membership, now…
AMYGDALA (Amygdaloid Complex)
A brain structure located beneath the frontal lobe and involved in the control of emotion and motivation.The amygdala is a…
ACTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY
A treatment procedure in which the patient is directed to make a graduated series of changes in his behavior. Active…
ACT PSYCHOLOGY
Formulated by the German philosopher Franz Bren- tano (1838-1917) in 1874, this approach proposed to focus psychological investigation on psychic…
ADOLESCENCE (Theories)
Adolescence is probably the most controversial of all periods of human development. Since the beginning of this century literally dozens…
ADRENAL GLANDS
A pair of endocrine glands, located above the kidneys, which secrete hormones that control emotional reactions and basic life processes…
AEROPHAGIA (Aerophagy)
This term means, literally, “air-eating,” and applies to automatic swallowing or gulping of air as a psychiatric symptom.Excessive swallowing of…
AFFECTIONAL DRIVE
The urge to be close to and in contact with another living being; usually classified as a “general drive,” that…
AFTERIMAGE (Aftersensation)
A sensation that arises out of another sensation immediately after the original stimulation ceases. A positive afterimage is a continuation…
AER HUNGER
Our breathing is so regular and automatic that we usually take it for granted. Yet the effects of deprivation are…
ALCOHOLIC ADDICTION
Chronic dependence on the use of alcoholic beverages. In 1949 a committee of the World Health Organization defined alcoholics as…
ALLOPSYCHIC
A general term characterizing the assignment or projection of one’s own thoughts or ideas to people or events in the…
ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
The minimum level of stimulation that can be detected 50 per cent of the time; also called “detection threshold.” What…