D

n23

DISCREPANCY PRINCIPLE

The assumption that babies are more attentive to unusual stimuli.

DISCRIMINATION

1. Ability to distinguish between stimuli or objects that are different from one another. 2. Ability to respond in different

DISENGAGED FAMILY

A family with memberswithdrawn from each other both emotionally and psychologically.

DISJUNCTIVE TASK

A task or project of a group that is completed when a single solution is adopted by the group. Compare

DISPERSAL

The departure of animals from the birth group.

DISSOCIATED STATE

A reaction to a traumatic event where the person splits up elements of the event so as to deal with

DISTAL STIMULUS

The object that acts or stimulates a sense organ. Also called distal variable. Compare proximal stimulus.

DISTRESS

A negative emotional state with no identifiable quality.

DISUSE THEORY OF AGING

Theory that a decline in psychological abilities from aging is due to not using the abilities.

DIVORCE

The legal dissolution of a marriage. See emotional divorce.

DOLORIMETER

Device that measures pain.

DOMINANCE STATISTIC

The index that measures the number of cases in one group that is greater than cases in another group.

DOPA (DOPA)

The precurser to dopamine and other catecholamines. See levodopa.

DORSAL ROOT

A spinal root conveying sensory nerve fibres and entering the spinal cord dorsally. Also called posterior root. Compare ventral root.

DOUBLE DISSOCIATION

Research process used to demonstrate the action of 2 separable psychological or biological systems such as the types of memory

DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION

The transmission of information from higher levels of management to lower levels and subordinates. See channels of communication- communication network.

DREAM CENSORSHIP

Psychoanalytic theory.Dusguising unconscious wishes in dreams that would disturb the ego if made while awake. See censor.

DRILL

The methodical repitition of a physical or mental response used in learning.

DRUG CULTURE

The lifestyle of people who take and abuse drugs that create an altered form of consciousness.

DUAL DIAGNOSIS

Identifying 2 distict disoreders present at the same time. See comorbidity.