DREAM INTERPRETATION (Historical)
The belief that dreams have a special significance is practically universal. They have been an object of curiosity in all…
DREAM INTERPRETATION (Modern)
As the preceding topic indicates, many provocative ideas on dreams were “in the air” at the turn of the twentieth…
DREAM-STATE (D-STATE, REM- STATE)
A state of the organism that occurs during dreaming, recently found to be physiologically distinct from both the ordinary sleep…
DRUG ADDICTION
Compulsive dependence on the use of narcotic drugs.Drug addiction is characterized not merely by persistent use of a drug, but…
DRUG INTOXICATION
A number of medical drugs have been found to produce mental symptoms when taken in excessive doses over long periods.…
DYNAMIC APPROACH
Dynamic psychology and psychiatry approach the study of human behavior by examining underlying forces of motivation. This approach contrasts with…
DYNAMICS (PSYCHODYNAMICS)
The force or pattern of forces which gives rise to a particular psychological event or condition, such as an act,…
DYNAMISM (Mental Dynamism)
A psychological device used to protect the ego; a defense mechanism, such as compensation or rationalization.Defense mechanism is the more…
DYSAUTONOMIA (Familial Dysauto- nomia)
Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, believed to result from an obscure brain defect. The condition tends to run in…
DYSSOCIAL REACTION
A “socio- pathic” personality disorder in which the individual adopts a delinquent or criminal way of life as a result…
DESCARTES, RENE (1596-1650)
Though primarily a philosopher and mathematician, Descartes nevertheless had a profound influence on the development of psychology. Bom in La…
DESCRIPTIVE PSYCHIATRY
A systematic approach to psychiatry based upon the observation, study, and classification of directly observable symptoms and clinical patterns. It…
DETECTION THEORY
An explanation of the way signals are perceived against a background of noise.The psychological study of signal detection is an…
DETERIORATION (Mental Deterioration)
In psychiatry, deterioration denotes a progressive impairment or decline of intellectual and personality functions such as memory, reasoning, concentration, communication,…
DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS
The basic tasks which must be mastered at each stage of life if the individual is to achieve normal development…
DEWEY, JOHN (1859-1952)
Dewey, who was to become pre-eminent in three fields—philosophy,and education—was bom in Vermont, and graduated from the state university at…
DIABETIC REACTIONS
The weakness, excessive thirst, loss of weight, and other symptoms characterizing diabetes mellitus are due to low sugar metabolism resulting…
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS IN EDUCATION
In contrast to achievement tests, diagnostic tests are designed to analyze individual performance and identify special disabilities. Most of these…
DIFFERENTIAL PSYCHOLOGY (Individual Differences)
An area of psychology concerned with behavioral differences between individuals and groups of individuals—including, among others, sex, race, nationality, cultural…
DIRECT ANALYSIS
A therapeutic approach developed by John Rosen, in which an attempt is made to understand and communicate directly with the…