ANIMATE NOUN
a noun emphasizing the idea that a living entity is capable of being an agent of action - as opposed…
ANNIHILATION
n. In psychoanalytic theory, this term refers to the complete destruction of the self. In object relations theory, this term…
ANOMALOUS STIMULUS
an external stimulus that does not seem to fit in light of the individual's current circumstances and expectations. The stimulus…
ANORTHOSCOPIC PERCEPTION
natural distortions created when a viewed stimulus is moving in a stilted or interrupted fashion. For example, when viewed through…
ANTERIOR COMMISSURE
a substantial bundle of myelinated nerve fibers that connect different parts of the brain hemispheres. The olfactory tract is also…
ANTHROPOMETRY
the empirical study of how human size and proportions tend to vary in conjunction with aging, sex, ethnicity, or culture.…
ANTICIPATION LEARNING METHOD
a learning technique that teaches the associations between subsequent words on a list. The first word is the stimulus that…
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
pi. n. One class of psychotropic drugs usually prescribed for the treatment of depression. Although the exact mechanisms of action…
ANTIPREDATOR DEFENSE
any means by which animals act to avoid predation. This can take the form of camouflage, changing colors, mimicry, or…
ANXIETY DISCHARGE
any anxiety-reducing action, behavior, or repetitive activity. The activity is associated with normal daily living and is viewed as an…
ANXIOLYTICS
n. a class of medicinal drugs used in the control of anxiety, behavioral agitation, and occasional insomnia. Formerly known as…
APOMORPHINE
n. a morphine derivative that has commonly been used as an expectorant. It has also been used to induce vomiting.
APPLIED RELAXATION
a technique in which anxious clients are taught, in a stepwise fashion, to relax more rapidly over a series of…
APPROACH GRADIENT
the variation in the strength of an organism's drive as a function of the overall proximity to the goal. For…
ARBORIZATION
n. a branching, treelike structure, as most commonly seen in the dendrites of a neuron.
ARCUATE NUCLEUS
1. an arc-shaped nucleus that is found in the hypothalamus, within the brain. 2. Also refers to any of various…