ATTENTIONAL CAPTURE
the unintentional focusing of attention, for example by a change in a stimulus, which interrupts other processing - for example,…
AUDIOVISUAL TRAINING
instruction or training using audio aids, visual aids, or both. Examples of such include films, slides, filmstrips, videotapes, audiotapes, television,…
AUTHORITARIAN PERSONALITY
a distinct personality pattern that is characterized by (a) a preoccupation with power and status, (b) strict adherence to simplified…
AUTONOMOUS DEPRESSION
1. a major depressive episode that that may come on suddenly, but lack an identifiable obvious psychosocial stressor. See also…
AXO-AXONAL SYNAPSE
refers to a synapse between two nerve cells in which the nerve impulse travels from axon to axon, rather than…
BARNUM EFFECT
n. an individual's tendency to accept concepts personally, no matter how vague and generalized they may be. Thus, people tend…
BEHAVIORAL APPROACH SYSTEM (BAS)
n. one of two motivational systems which govern human and animal behavior. Activated by incentive motivation, the response is towards…
BEHAVIORISM
n. a scientific approach to psychology in which the study is based on observable, quantifiable facts and not on subjective…
BINARY FEATURE
n. in language and thought, refers to a pair of terms which are related in concept but opposite in meaning.…
BIOLOGICAL THEORY OF AGING
n. a number of probable theories which may explain the different facets of aging. Some of these explanations include programmed…
BLIND SPOT
n. in vision, refers to the area of the eye where the image hits the optic disk and, thus, cannot…
BOUNDARY AMBIGUITY
n. a discrepancy observed when the family system is viewed from within by a member and from the outside by…
BRUININKS-OSERETSKY TEST OF MOTOR PROFICIENCY (BOT)
n. a proficiency test on gross motor skills and fine motor skills administered to participants between 4 to 21 years…
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
n. a self-development program in which a person manages the progress and advancement of his or her own career. In…
CATEGORICAL VARIABLE
n. a variable with a number of possible values, yet these are fixed and limited into set groups or classes.…
CENESTHOPATHY
n. a general feeling of ill health which has not been pinpointed to a particular organ or region of the…
CONCEPTUALLY DRIVEN PROCESS
a cognitive process which centers mostly on the significant facets of a stimulant instead of its perceptual facets. This is…
CONDITIONED
correlated with or explanatory of behavior whose existence, manner of demonstration, or both is the outcome of experience. The two…
CONFLICT SPIRAL
a trend of advancing friction and conflict between at least people or teams who go against each other's replies with…
CONSCIENCE
a person's knowledge or right and wrong. With regard to psychoanalysis, is the superego, or moral part of the person's…