ANTIDROMIC CONDUCTION
the reversal of the direction a nerve impulse usually travels in (i.e., from axon to cell body). Sometimes produced for…
ANTIPREDATORY AGGRESSION
any type of attack behavior directed toward a potential predator in the aim of self-preservation. See animal aggression.
ANXIETY DISORDER DUE TO A GENERAL MEDICAL CON
significant anxiety (e.g., generalized anxiety, panic attacks, obsessions, and compulsions) that interferes with daily functioning, and is deemed to be…
ANXIOUS DEPRESSION
refers to a major depressive episode accompanied by high levels of anxiety and fear.
APOPATHETIC BEHAVIOR
behavior influenced and directed by the presence of other people - although not directed toward them. This may manifest in…
APPEARANCE-REALITY DISTINCTION
the implicit knowledge that the appearance of an object does not necessarily correspond to the reality. For example, a sponge…
APPLIED RESEARCH
research aimed toward answering a practical question, for example, a clinical question, rather than developing a theory or obtaining knowledge…
APPROACH MOTIVATION
motivation stemming from the expectation or desiring of a reward, which is a condition for goal-directed behavior.
ARCHAIC INHERITANCE
refers to the presumed phylogenetic influences inherent in the development of the individual
ARCUATE ZONE OF THE BRAIN
the bow-shaped portion of the reticular formation on the back of the brain that extends from the spinal cord to…
ARIPIPRAZOLE
n. an atypical antipsychotic agent that is thought to bind to the presynaptic D2 dopamine autoreceptor, and thereby inhibit the…
AROUSAL-REDUCTION MECHANISM
any stimulus or reaction that decreases the degree of arousal within an individual after arousal has reached an uncomfortably high…
ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION (AVM)
an abnormal, congenital tangle of arteries and veins that are directly connected and lack any intervening capillaries. Such malformations may…
ASCENDING RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM (ARAS)
refers to the pathways that transmit nervous impulses from the reticular formation of the midbrain in an ascending manner through…
ASPERGER'S DISORDER
a pervasive developmental disorder associated with varying degrees of deficits in social, emotional and conversational skills, difficulties with set-shifting, and…
ASSESSMENT INSTRUMENT
an instrument that is typically used in the evaluation of ability, achievement, interests, personality, psychopathology, or some other factor.