D

n23

DISABILITY

A lasting impairment that interfers with daily life functioning. See handicap.

DISCONNECTION SYNDROME

Neurological disorder where a cortical area that works with another becomes separated or isolated.

DISCRETE MOVEMENT TASK

A movement task with a start and an end. Compare continuous movement task.

DISCRIMINATIVE LEARNING, DISCRIMINATION OF CUES

Ability to distinguisn between 2 or more stimuli.

DISFIGUREMENT

The blemish or a deformity that will mar the surface of the body.

DISORDERS OF INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, OR ADOLESCENCE NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED

Any disorder starting in infancy, childhood or adolescence that does not fit any specific disorder.

DISPLAY

Presenting stimulus to the senses.

DISSOCIATIVE DISORDERS

A group of disorders showing a sudde, gradual or chronic disruption in normal integrative functions of consciousness, ememory etc.

DISTANCE THERAPY

Psycotherapy not occuring in a face-to-face situation.

DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING

A processing of information by several processing units and not a single dedicated processor. See parallel distributed processing- parallel processing.

DIURNAL MOOD VARIATION

Seen in some bipolar and depressive disorders where daily changes in mood happen. See seasonal affective disorder.

DIZZINESS

The sensation of being light headed or unsteady and may have nausea or fainting. See vertigo.

DOMAIN-FREE PROBLEM

Problem solving. Where a problem can be solved without any specific knowledge.

DOMINANT EYE

The eye with a preferred use or where stimulation is more effective.

DOPAMINE HYPOTHESIS

The theory that schizophrenia is caused by an excess of dopamine in the brain. See glutamate hypothesis.

DORSOLATERAL COLUMN

Motor fibres descending in the dorsolateral part of the spinal cord and terminate in motor neurons.

DOUBLE TECHNIQUE

Psychodrama. Procedure where the therapist will sit behind a group member and speak for the member. Also called priming the

DOWRY

Found in some cultures where money or assets are given to the groom or his family by the bride and

DREAM FUNCTION

The purpose or function of dreaming.

DRIVE DISCRIMINATION

An organisms ability to differentiate between varous needs and to direct responses accordingly.