Neurology

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EMPTY-CHAIR TECHNIQUE

Gestalt therapy. Where the client conducts an emotional dialogue with an aspect of himself or a significant person in their

ENDORPHINS

A class of neuropeptides found in the pituitary gland that function as endogenous opoids.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

The study of the distribution and incidence of diseases and disorders. See incidence- relative risk.

EROTIC PLASTICITY

The degree that sexual desire is shaped by social , cultural ans situational factors. See behavioural plasticity.

ETIOLOGY

1. Cause and progression of a disease. 2. Science dealing with the causes of physical and mental disorders.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION

High level cognitive processes that organise and order behaviour. Also called central processes- executive functioning- high order processes.

EXPECTATION

The state of tense and emotional anticipation.

EXPLORATORY BEHAVIOR

The movements made by an animal and humans to learn about a new environment. See diversive exploration- inspective exploration.

LEARNING POTENTIAL ASSESSMENT DEVICE (LPAD)

a test which is designed to assess an individuals potential to learn new information not currently part of their schema.

LEVEL-OF-ASPIRATION THEORY

an approach to the performance of a group or as an individual which assumes the level of emotional and motivational

LIKERT SCALE

a scale which measures a perceived opinion of an object by a participant by using statements which reflect either a

LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION

the theory that different parts of the brain are responsible for different parts of human processes such as behaviours.

LONG-TERM DEPRESSION (LTD)

resulting from a consistency weak synaptic stimulation (in the hippocampus) or strong synaptic stimulation (in the cerebellum) which results in

MALADAPTATION

A condition where- biological, psychological, behavioural and/or defence mechanisms are detrimental to the survival and reproduction of a species.

MARRIAGE

is a social construct in the form of a formal union of a man and a woman, typically recognized by

MATE SELECTION

is the process of choosing an appropriate partner for reproduction within a population. Where the male to female ratio dictates,

MECHANICAL INTELLIGENCE

the ability to understand and internalize mechanical relationships.

MEMORY STORAGE

is an umbrella term used to describe the passive storage of any memory within a human or other organism. There

MENTAL MATURITY

is describes a complete mental development.

MESSAGE-LEARNING APPROACH

first proposed by U.S. psychologist Carl I. Hovland (1912 - 1961) which implies that a change in attitude can be