A

n23

ATTENTIONAL DYSLEXIA

a form of dyslexia (see alexia) in which a person is able to read words but has difficulty identifying their

ATTITUDE CHANGE

any alteration in the strength or content of an attitude. This may result from active attempts by others to change

ATTRACTOR DYNAMICS

an approach to analyzing the interaction of goals, feedback, and the environment - especially in the evolution of a movement

ATYPICAL DISORDER

in the DSM-lll and earlier editions, a residual category that included unusual or uncharacteristic variations of the standard mental disorders.

AUDIBLE THOUGHT

a type of auditory hallucination in which one hears one's own thoughts or core beliefs - as if they were

AUDIT

n. in health administration, a formal evaluation or review of the health care services provided by an agency. See also

AUDITORY FILTER

the process responsible for the frequency and selectivity of the auditory system. Filters begin auditory processing in that some of

AUDITORY SPACE PERCEPTION

refers to the perceiver's perception of the direction and distance of a sound source. See also auditory localization.

AUSCULTATION

n. a diagnostic method in which the examiner, who is usually a doctor, listens for sounds within the body either

AUTISM

n. 1. a behavioral syndrome of neurological dysfunction characterized by impaired reciprocal social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, impoverished

AUTOCRATIC

adj. 1. refers to a style that is dictatorial, high-handed, and undemocratic. 2. Also, in a more extreme form, means

AUTOMATED CLINICAL RECORDS

a computerized database used for the purposes of monitoring patient care, providing data for administrative decisions, and generally assisting the

AUTOMATIC THOUGHTS

1. instantaneous, habitual, and unconscious thoughts that may affect a person's mood and actions. Helping clients evaluate the utility and

AUTONOMIC

a general term used to described something that is pertaining to the nervous system or the processes controlled by it.

AUTONOMOUS SYNTAX

the theory that syntax is a unique component of language that operates completely independently of meaning (semantics) and function (pragmatics).

AUTOSCOPOPHILIA

refers to the sexual pleasure derived from observing oneself disrobing, being nude, or watching oneself during sexual activity. Commonly, this

AUXILIARY EGO

In psychodrama, a group member, other than the therapist, who assumes the role of a significant figure in another group

AVERSIVE CONDITIONING

the process by which an unwanted behavior is paired with a noxious or unpleasant stimulus, with the intention to reduce

AVOIDANT MARRIAGE

refers to an enduring marriage whereby the partners seldom argue because they have agreed to disagree and accepted their differences

AXONAL BUNDLE

refers to a group of parallel axons. Also known as fasciculus.