DISJUNCTIVE TASK
A task or project of a group that is completed when a single solution is adopted by the group. Compare…
DIVERGENT THINKING
Thinking that formulates new solutions to problems. Compare convergent thinking.
DYNAMIC FORMULATION
The attempt to organise a clients information so the therapist can better treat and understand the client.
EGO WEAKNESS
Psychoanalytical theory. The ability of the ego to control impulses and to tolerate frustration, disappointment and stress. Compare ego strength.
EMOTIONAL INSULATION
Defense mechanism. Where indifferent and detached responses are made in frustrating situations.
EMPTY ORGANISM PSYCHOLOGY
Behavioural psychology. Attempts to predict and control behaviour based on external observable stimulus and reinforcement conditions.
EXPECTANCY
1. Behavioural psychology. The state where an organism anticipates an event based on previous experience. 2. Cognitive psychology. Mental set…
EXTERNAL CONTROL
The belief that one's experience and behaviour are determined by luck, circumstances, other people and external factors. Compare internal control.
LIFE-HISTORY METHOD
an interview which takes a structured approach to obtaining historical data about events when evaluating an individuals current functioning.
MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION (MSE)
a complete evaluation of a patients mental health taking into consideration data including interviews taken by professionals to standardized tests.
MORTALITY SALIENCE
is the cognitive accessibility and process through which an individual considers the inevitability of their own death. This inevitability has…
NEGATIVE ACCELERATION
is the binary opposite to positive acceleration where a situation which should change the rate of development of a variable…
NEUROTICISM
is an umbrella term used to describe a range of meanings. For example, neuroticism could detail a state of neurosis…
OBJECTIVE SCORING
scoring an examination by way of a formula or key, so that varied scorers will come to the exact same…
OPTIMAL LEVEL THEORY
any theory which stresses living beings' strife to reach optimal levels of some attribute, like arousal or stimulation, tension, foraging,…
OVERJUSTIFICATION EFFECT
a paradoxical effect wherein praising an individual for their performance can generate lower, instead of higher, strife and achievement. It…