PSYCHIC REALITY
A reality internalized and based on fantasy, wish, fear, memories and anticipation. The psychic reality is internal, whereas external reality…
PSYCHOLOGICAL NEED
As opposed to a biological need, a psychological need is something that is essential for the maintenance of mental health.…
PSYCHOSEXUAL DISORDERS
As defined in DSM-III, these are a group of disorders stemming from psychological factors as opposed to organic. These disorders…
QUALITATIVE EVALUATION
An evaluation yielding narratives from unstructured methods of data collection. This approach is characterized by a goal-free evaluation rather than…
RANGE FRACTIONATION
Hypothetically, range fractionation states the a wide range of values describing intensity can be encoded by cells, each one a…
REACTIVE INHIBITION
In the deductive theory of learning, a tendency for response magnitude to a stimulus decreasing with increasing exposure or fatigue
RECAPITULATION THEORY
Also referred to as biogenetic law, the theory states that embryonic development of an organism will mirror the evolutionary development…
RECONSTRUCTION
During psychoanalysis, the review and examination of past events which have resulted in current emotional problems. Also, the analytical rebuilding…
REFLEXIVE BEHAVIOR
Involuntary or unconscious reactions to stimuli which can serve as an avenue for Pavlovian response and conditioning. Compare to: planned…
RELATIVE EFFICIENCY
Ratio of efficiency between two procedures, theoretically depending on sample size for the given procedure, though most often used in…
REPERTOIRE
Entire range of skills and behaviors that may be exhibited by humans or animals. Generally, a behavior that has been…
RESISTANCE TO EXTINCTION
The perseverance of any conditioned response in the face of extinction.
RESTRICTION OF RANGE
Imposition of conditions by a researcher which limit the whole range of scores having been collected to a very constrained…
REVERSE CAUSALITY
In determining the elements of causal relationships, frequent mistake of confusing the cause with the effect, or the converse.
ROLANDIC CORTEX
Motor area of the cerebral cortex lying just anterior to the central sulcus and comprising part of the precentral gyrus;…
RUFFINI'S CORPUSCLE
Type of gradually adjusting mechanoreceptor, believed to occur solely in the glabrous dermis and subcutaneous tissue of human beings. Thought…
SCHEDULE OF REINFORCEMENT
Any type of guideline used in conditioning which outlines which responses will be reinforced. Also known as: reinforcement schedule. See…
SECONDARY CIRCULAR REACTION
Posited in Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development, recurrent activity which emerges in infant behavior patterns at around 4-5 months…
SELECTION BIAS
Statistical bias in which there is an error in choosing the individuals or groups to take part in a scientific…
PRIMAL SADISM
The theory that the death instinct has an aspect that mirrors masochism and remains in the individual as part of…