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PSYCHIATRIC UNIT

A distinct unit within a general hospital charged with providing care to patients suffering acute psychiatrically disturbance. Psychiatric units include

PSYCHIC TRAUMA

An experience so traumatic that it results in damage to the psyche, or mind as a whole. Sometimes seen in

PSYCHODIAGNOSIS

A diagnostic technique for the determination of underlying factors in behavior and disordered behavior. Also, the diagnosis of disorder through

PSYCHOGENIC HALLUCINATION

Different from physiological hallucinations, which can be brought on by drugs, alcohol or brain injury, a psychogenic hallucination is caused

PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSY

Pioneered by 1970's psychologists Shneidman and Earberow and medical examiner Murphy of the Los Angeles Suicide Prevention Center, psychological autopsy

PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT

After consideration and planning, the best possible moment for an action to produce a desired effect on another individual. 2.

PSYCHOLOGY

Originally a philosophy, now recognized as study of the mind represented by various disciplines and research including experimental, biological and

PSYCHOMOTOR SKILL

Any ability whose function requires a combination of cognitive and motor processes, such as typing.

PSYCHOPHYSICAL FUNCTION

Also known as psychometric function, psychophysical function is the mathematical relationship comparing the strength of a stimulus and the strength

PSYCHOSIS

Any abnormal mental state with characteristics of serious impairment in the higher brain functions such as perception, cognition and/or cognitive

PSYCHOTECHNOLOGY

The psychological facts and principles utilized when applying psychology in a practical way. 2. The actual application of said knowledge

PTYALISM 1

An excess production of saliva. The condition may be associated with epilepsy, some medications, emotional reaction or anxiety. 2. Also

PUDENDAL NERVE

A sensory/motor nerve responsible carrying fibers to the perineal region from the second, third and fouth sacral nerves. It has

PUNISHMENT

A factor in operant conditioning. Basically, the process that makes a certain response to a stimulus less probable. As an

PURKINJC-SANSON IMAGES

In the human eye, Purkinje-Sanson images are three reflectd images of an object consisting of a reflection from the outer

PUSH MODEL

The opposite of a pull model. It is the theory emphasizing the impulse of a negative stimulus on a person's

PYRIDOSTIGMINE

U.S. trade name: Mestinon, this drug is used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis.

PRESENILE DEMENTIA OF THE ALZHEIMER'S TYPE (PDAT)

An outdated label for Alzheimer's type dementia before the patient's 65th birthday.

PRESSURE SPOT

Particularly sensitive points or locales on the body that respond to pressure stimuli.

PRETEST-POSTTEST DESIGN

The determination of who should be given treatment or control conditions and how those treatments or control situations affected the