D

n23

DESCENDING TRACT

The bundle of nerve fibres from the brain to the spinal cord.

DESIGN TRADE-OFF

A situation where one attribute of a system or product is made less suitable by giving priority to another feature.

DETACHED CHARACTER

A personality featuring extreme self sufficiency and a lack of feeling towards others. Compare aggressive caharacter- compliant character.

DETERRENCE

The idea that punishment will stop a person or deter them from engaging in the same behaviour.

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT

The evaluation of physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of a child.

DEVELOPMENTAL SYSTEMS APPROACH

A view saying that development results from bi-directional interaction between biological and experiential variables.

DEXTRO- (DEXTR-)

The combining form of toward or on the right.

DIAGNOSIS-RELATED GROUPS (DRGS)

Classification used in hospitals as a financing tool.

DIALECTOLOGY

Linguistics concerned with dialects.

DICE MODEL

Cognitive model that relates consciousness to awareness.

DIETARY SELECTION

The ability to select components in a diet to maintain a good nutritional balance.

DIFFERENTIAL FERTILITY

The fertility rate of a group compared to another group.

DIFFUSE THALAMIC PROJECTION SYSTEM (DTPS)

The thalmic nuclei that project fibres to the cerebral cortex. See thalamus.

DIHYDROCODEINE

See opioid analgesics.

DIMORPHISM

When 2 members of the same species have 2 distinct forms that differin one or more features. See sexual dimorphism.

DIRECT COPING

The active and focused confrontation and management of a tressful situation.

DIRECTION PERCEPTION

Ability to find a moving target in space or a sound.

DISABILITY EVALUATION

The evaluation of how an impairment will effect a person in gaining employment.

DISCONTINUITY EFFECT

The increase of competitiveness of intergroup interactions compared to the individual interactions.

DISCRETE TRIAL

The defined and limited occasion to do a behavioural act.