D

n23

DEREISM

Mental activity not in accord with reality or logic. Also called dereistic thinking.

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.