AUDITORY SENSATION UNIT
refers to the just noticeable difference in sound intensity. See also difference threshold.
AUTHORITY PRINCIPLE
refers to the concept that each member of an ordered social hierarchy is expected to comply with the wishes of…
AUTOCORRELATION
n. in statistics and experimental design, the correlation of observations with themselves over time - usually experienced in repeated measures…
AUTOMAINTENANCE
n. refers to the maintenance of behaviors established by behavior-independent stimulus-reinforcer pairings. For example, key-pecking behavior in pigeons that is…
AUTOMATIC SPEAKER RECOGNITION
the concept of a computer recognizing a human voice and the characteristics of his or her speech. Also known as…
AUTONOETIC MEMORY
the recall of a personal memory and the simultaneous level of conscious awareness that one is reliving a moment from…
AUTONOMOUS DEPRESSION
1. a major depressive episode that that may come on suddenly, but lack an identifiable obvious psychosocial stressor. See also…
AUTOREGRESSIVE MODEL
a model used in a time series analysis. In this mode, each successive observation depends, at least in part, on…
AVERSION SYSTEM
refers to one conception of neuroticism, as represented by an individual's relative sensitivity to aversive (negative, punishing) cues and stimuli…
AVOIDANT ATTACHMENT STYLE
refers to an interpersonal style characterized by a discomfort in being close to others - or having rigid interpersonal boundaries.
AXON REFLEX
refers to a peripheral nerve reflex, in which stimulation of nerve fibers cause impulses to pass along the fibers to…
ABECEDARIAN PROJECT
a 1970's project managed by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill that monitored the social and academic processes of…
ABNEY'S EFFECT
a lighting effect demonstrated by the addition to and removal of light from an area displayed by the appearance of…
ABSENCE SEIZURE
brief seizes that are not usually recalled by the victim- usually lasting five to fifteen seconds- renders the victim limp…
ABSORPTION CURVE
a graph which charts data regarding the degree of intensity to which varying light waves are absorbed or cast onward…
ABULIA (ABOULIA)
lacking ambition to pursue goals or aim for set intentions. Commonly seen in persons with neurological damage or disorders.
ACADEMIC PROBLEM
1. learning inhibitors commonly seen in younger children that do not hold the capacity to complete work on an academic…
ACCENTUATION THEORY
Henri Tajfel's concept that points out a tendency to over-emphasize the differences between things belonging to different categories, and likewise,…