ANOREXIA INIRABILIS
A culture-bound medieval European syndrome, characterized by the restriction of caloric intake due to piety and religious devotion. Also known…
ANTAGONISTIC COLORS
colors appearing on opposing sides of the color circle. For example, blue and yellow. Also known as complementary colors.
ANTHROPOCENTRISM
n. the assumption that the human experience is the central reality - and the idea that all animal and living…
ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS
A subclass of drugs that inhibit or interfere with the release of acetyl choline, a neurotransmitter. This interferes with nerve…
ANTICIPATORY RESPONSE
a response that occurs prior to the evoking stimulus being presented.
ANTINOCICEPTIVE
describes or relates to any unique factor that increases tolerance for, or reduces sensitivity to, a dangerous or harmful stimuli,…
ANTITUSSIVES
n. Medicines or drugs that suppress coughing by interacting with the cough-control center in the medulla oblongata. The cough center…
ANXIETY REACTION
an intense emotional response to a stimulus, characterized by marked apprehension and accompanied by somatic symptoms of tension in the…
APATHETIC HYPERTHYROIDISM
a condition commonly associated with thyrotoxicosis. In contrast to other hyper-thyroid conditions, this condition is usually characterized by lethargy or…
APNEA (APNOEA)
n. temporary suspension or arrest of respiration. If the arrest lasts for a long time, the heart may be slowed…
APPETITIVE CONDITIONING
a type of Pavlovian or classical conditioning in which the unconditioned stimulus is a positive reinforcer that plays to the…
APPREHENSION SPAN
the number of items an individual can verbally report following a single glance at an array of items. Typically, the…
APRAXIA OF SPEECH
refers to a speech-articulation disorder that occurs due to lack of coordination between the muscles needed for speaking. This occurs…
ARAGO PHENOMENON
refers to an impaired sensitivity to light that exists in the center of the visual field when light conditions are…
ARCHITECTURAL PSYCHOLOGY
the study of the implications of a built environment on human behavior. This represents a major subtopic in environmental psychology.…
ARGUMENT QUALITY
the degree to which an argument elicits primarily positive evaluative responses toward the attitude and deemphasizes primarily negative ones. The…
AROUSAL THEORY
1. the theory that the physical environment can affect arousal levels by stimulating brain-based mechanisms. Stress and arousal are created…