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…
DELAYED REACTION
An experimental technique for determining whether an animal or young child can remember the solution to a problem after a…
DELIRIUM TREMENS
An acute psychotic reaction occurring in chronic alcoholics following a prolonged drinking bout. The disturbance may also occur after a…
DARWIN, CHARLES ROBERT
Darwin, whose theory of evolution has had a profound influence on psychology, was born in ShrewsburyEngland, the son of a…
DAYDREAMING (Fantasy)
A waking fantasy or reverie; the free play of thought or imagination.Daydreaming is classed as a form of autistic thinking,…
DAY HOSPITAL (Day Care Program)
A mental hospital program organized on a daytime basis. The patients come to the hospital in the morning, receive practically…
DEFENSE MECHANISM (Ego Defense Mechanism)
An adjustive reaction, typically habitual and unconscious, employed to protect oneself from anxiety, guilt, or loss of self-esteem.In the course…
DEHYDRATION REACTION
A disturbance in behavior resulting from an insufficiency of water, classified as a metabolic disorder.In addition to intense thirst sensations,…
DIFFERENTIAL EXTINCTION
The extinction of a response by established conditioning while other responses stay the same.
DIFFUSE BIPOLAR CELL
A retinal bipolar cell that gets input from many receptors. Compare midget bipolar cell.