Quantitative Research Methods

A

ABAB design (reversal design)

A single subject experimental design in which an initial baseline stage (A) is followed  by treatment stage (B), a return to baseline (A), and then another treatment stage (B); the researcher observes whether behavior changes on introduction of the treatment is withdrawn, and improves again when the treatment is reintroduced.

Alpha

The probability when testing the null hypothesis that is used to indicate whether an outcome is statistically significant. Levels of significance, or alpha, is equal to the probability of the type 1 error.

ANOVA

The analysis of variance, or ANOVA, is the most commonly used inferential test for examining a null hypothesis when comparing more than two means in a single-factor study, or in studies with more than one factor (i.e., independent variable). The ANOVA test is based on analyzing different resources of variation in an experiment.

Applied research

Research that seeks knowledge that will improve a situation is known as applied research.

Archival records

Source of evidence based on records or documents relating the activities of individuals, institutions, governments, and other groups; used as an alternative to or in conjunction with other research methods is known as archival records.

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Health Psychology

A

Abstinence violation effect

A feeling of loss of control that results when one has violated self-imposed rules, such as not to smoke or drink is known as abstinence violation effect.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Progressive impairment of the immune system by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); is known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), a diagnosis of AIDS is made on the basis of presence of one or more specific opportunistic infections.

Acupuncture

A technique of healing and pain control, developed in china, in which long, thin needles are inserted into designated areas of body to reduce discomfort in a target area is known as acupuncture.

Acute disorders

Illness of other medical problems that occur over a short time, that are usually the result of an infectious process, and that are reversible are known as acute disorders .

Acute pain

Short-term pain that usually results from a specific injury is known as acute pain.

Acute stress paradigm

A laboratory procedure whereby an individual goes through  moderately stressful procedures (such as counting backwards rapidly by 7s), so that stress-related changes in emotions and physiological and/or neuroendocrine processes may be assessed  is known as acute stress paradigm.

Addiction

The state of physical or psychological dependence on the substance that develops when that substance is used over a period of time is known as addiction.

Adherence

The degree to which an individual follows a recommended health-related or illness-related recommendation is known as adherence.

Adrenal glands

Two small glands, located on the top of the kidneys, that are part of endocrine system and secretes several hormones, including cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, that are involved in responses to stress are known as adrenal glands.

Aerobic exercise

High-intensity, long-duration, and high endurance exercise, believed to contribute to cardiovascular fitness and other health outcomes is known as aerobic exercise. Examples are jogging, bicycling, running, and swimming.

Aftereffects of stress

Performance and attentional decrements that occur after a stressful event has subsided; believed to be produced by the residual physiological, emotional, and cognitive draining in response to stressful events is known as aftereffects of stress.

Alcoholism

The state of physical addiction to alcohol that manifests through such symptoms as stereotyped drinking to maintain blood alcohol at a particular level, increasing frequency and severity of withdrawal, drinking early in the day and in the middle of the night, a sense of loss of control over drinking, and a subjective craving for alcohol is known as alcoholism.

Allostatic load

The accumulating adverse effects of stress, in conjunction with preexisting risks, on biological stress regulatory systems is known as allostatic load.

Angina pectoris

Chest pain that occurs because the muscle tissue of the heart is deprived of adequate oxygen or because removal of carbon dioxide and other wastes interferes with the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart is known as angina pectoris.

Anorexia Nervosa

A condition produced by excessive dieting and exercising that yields body weight grossly below optimal level, most common among adolescent girls is known as anorexia nervosa.

Appraisal delay

The time between recognizing that a symptom exists and deciding that it is serious is known as appraisal delay.

Approach (confrontative, vigilant) copying style

The tendency to cope with stressful events by tackling them directly and attempting to develop solutions; may ultimately be an especially effective method of coping, although it may produce accompanying distress is known as approach copying style.

Assertiveness training

Techniques that train people how to be appropriately assertive in social situations; often included as part of health behaviour modification programs, on the assumption that some poor health habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption or smoking, develop in part to control difficulties in being appropriately assertive is known as assertive training.

Atherosclerosis

A major cause of heart disease; caused by the narrowing of the arterial walls due to the formation of plaques that reduce the flow of blood through the arteries and interfere with the passage of nutrients from the capillaries into the cells is known as atherosclerosis.

At risk

A state of vulnerability to a particular health problem by virtue of heredity, health practices, or family environment is known as at risk.

Autoimmunity

A condition in which a body produces an immune response against its own tissue constituents is known as autoimmunity.

Avoidant (minimizing) copying style

The tendency to cope with threatening events by withdrawing, minimizing, or avoiding them; believed to be an effective short-term, thought not an effective long-term, response to stress is known as avoidant copying style.

B

Behavioral assignments

Home practice activities that clients performs on their own as a part of an integrated therapeutic intervention for behaviour modification is known as behavioral assignments.

Behavioral delay

The time between deciding to seek treatment and actually doing so is known as behavioral delay.

Behavioral immunization

Programs designed to inoculate people against adverse health habits by exposing them to mild versions of pervasive communications that try to engage them in a poor health practice and giving them techniques that they can use to respond effectively to these efforts is known as behavioral immunization.

Behavioral inoculation

Providing a person with a weak form of an argument, thus giving them or her the opportunity to develop counterarguments and successfully resist the message; similar to inoculation against disease is known as behavioral inoculation.

Biofeedback

A method whereby an individual is provided with ongoing, specific information or feedback about how a particular physiological process operates, so that he or she can learn how to modify that process is known as biofeedback.

Biomedical model

A viewpoint that illness can be explained on the basis of aberrant somatic process and that physiological and social process are largely independent of the disease process; the dominant model in medical practice until recently is known as biomedical model.

Biopsychosocial model

The viewpoint that biological, psychological and social factors all are involved in any given state or health or illness is known as biopsychosocial model.

Blood pressure

The force that blood exerts against vessel walls is known as blood pressure.

Body image

The perception and evaluation of one's body, one's physical functioning, and one's appearance is known as body image.

Breast self-examination (BSE)

The monthly practice of checking the breasts to detect alternations in the underlying tissue; a chief method of detecting breast cancer is known as breast self-examination.

Broad-spectrum cognitive-behavioral therapy

The use of a broad array of cognitive-behavioral intervention techniques to modify an individual's health behaviour is known as broad-spectrum cognitive-behavioral therap.

Buffering hypothesis

The hypothesis that coping resources are useful primarily under conditions of high stress and not necessarily under conditions of low stress is known as buffering hypothesis.

Bulimia

An eating syndrome characterized by alternating cycle of binge eating and purging through such techniques as vomiting and extreme dieting is known as bulimia.

C

Cardiac invalidism

  

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Behavioural Neuroscience

A

Absence

A type of seizure disorder often seen in children; characterized by the period of inattention, which are not subsequently remembered; also called petit mal seizure is known as absence.

Absorptive phase

The phase of metabolism during which nutrients are absorbed from the digestive system; glucose and amino acids constitute the principal source of energy for cells during this phase, the excess nutrients are stored in adipose tissue in the form of triglycerides is known as absorptive phase.

Accessory olfactory bulb

A neural structure located in the main olfactory bulb that receives information from the vomeronasal organ is known as accessory olfactory bulb.

Accommodation

Changes in a thickness of the lens of the eyes, accomplished by the ciliary muscles; that focus images of near or distant objects on the ratina is known as accommodation.

Acetylcholine (ACH)

A neurotransmitter found in the brain, spinal cord, and parts of peripheral nervous system, responsible for muscular contraction is known as acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine Sterase (AChE)

The enzyme that destroys acetylcholine soon after it is liberated by the terminal buttons, thus terminating the post synaptic potential is known as acetylcholine sterase.

Acetyl-Coa

A co-factor that supplies acetates for synthesis of the acetylcholine is known as acetyl-Coa.

Achromatospsia

Inability to discriminate among different hues; caused by damage to the visual association cortex is known as achromatospsia.

Action potential

The brief electrical impulse that provides the basis for conduction of information along an axon is known as action potential.

Activation effect (of hormone)

The effect of hormone that occurs in the fully developed organism, may depend on the organism's prior exposure to the organizational effects of hormones is known as activation effect.

Acute anterior poliomyelitis

A viral disease that destroys motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord is known as acute anterior poliomyelitis.

Adenosine

A chemical produced when increased neural activity requires the breakdown of glycogen stored in the astrocytes, may increase delta activity during the next night's sleep and thus enable the region to recover from it's energy expenditure is known as adenosine.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Adenosine triphosphate is a molecule of prime importance to cellular energy metabolism; it's breakdown liberates energy.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ATCH)

A hormone released by the anterior pituitary gland in response to the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH); stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce glucocorticoids is known as adrenocorticotropic hormone.

Afferent Axon

An axon directed toward the central nervous system, conveying sensory information is known as afferent axon.

Affinity

The readiness with which two molecules join together is known as affinity.

Agonist

A drug that facilitates the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the post synaptic cell is known as agonist.

Agouti-related protein (AGRP)

A neuropeptide that acts as an antagonist at MC-4 receptors and increases eating is known as agouti-related protein.

Agoraphobia

A fear of being away from home or other protected places is known as agoraphobia.

Aggrammatism

One of the usual symptom of Broca's aphasia; a difficulty in comprehending or properly employing grammatical devices such as verb endings and word order is known as aggrammatism.

Akinetopsia

Inability to perceive movement, caused by damage to area V5 (also called MST) of the visual association cortex is known as akinetopsia.

All or none law

The principle that once an action potential is triggered in an axon, it is propagated without decrement to the end of the fibre is known as all or none law.

Allylglycine

A drug that inhibits the activity of GAD and thus blocks the synthesis of GABA is known as allylglycine.

Alpha-activity

Smooth electrical activity of 8-12Hz recorded from the brain; generally associated with a state of relaxation is known as alpha-activity.

Alzheimer's disease

A degenerative brain disorder of unknown origin; causes progressive memory loss; motor deficits and eventual death is known as alzheimer's disease.

Amacrine cell

A neuron in the retina that interconnects adjacent ganglion cells and the inner processes of the bipolar cells is known as amacrine cell.

AMPA receptors

An ionotropic glutamate receptor that controls a sodium channel; stimulated by AMPA is known as AMPA receptors.

AMPT

A drug that blocks the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase and thus interferes with the synthesis of the catecholamines is known as AMPT.

Ampulla

An enlargement in the semicircular canal; contains the capula and the crista is known as ampulla.

Amygdala

A structure in the interior of rostral temporal lobe; containing the set of nuclei; part of a limbic system is known as amygdala.

β-amyloid

A protein found in excessive amounts in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease is known as β-amyloid.

β-amyloid precursor protein (APP)

A protein produced and secreted by cells that serves as the precursor for β-amyloid protein is known as β-amyloid precursor protein.

Anandamide

The first cannabinoid to be discovered and probably the most important one is known as anandamide.

Androgen

A male sex steroid hormone is known as androgen. Testosterone is a principle mammalian androgen.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome

A condition caused by a congenital lack of functioning androgen receptor; in the person with xy sex chromosomes, cause the development of the female with testes but no internal sex organs is known as androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Antagonist

A drug that opposes or inhibits the effects of a particular neurotransmitter on the post-synaptic cell is known as antagonist.

Anterior

With respect to the central nervous system, anterior is located near or toward the head.

Anterior pituitary gland

The anterior part of the pituitary gland; an endocrine gland whose secretions are controlled by the hypothalamic hormones is known as anterior pituitary gland.

Anterograde amnesia

Amnesia for events that occur after some disturbance to the brain, such as head injury or certain degenerative brain diseases is known as anterograde amnesia.

Anterograde labelling method

A histological method that labels the axons and terminal buttons of neurons whose cell bodies are located in a particular region is known as anterograde labelling method.

Antibody

A protein produced by a cell of the immune system that recognizes antigens present on the invading microorganisms is known as antibody.

Anticipatory anxiety

A fear of having a panic attack may lead to the development of agoraphobia is known as anticipatory anxiety.

Antigen

A protein present on the microorganism that permits the immune system to recognize the microorganism is known as antigen.

Anti-mullerian hormone

A peptide secreted by the fetal testes that inhibit the development of the mullerian system, which would otherwise become the female internal sex organ is known as anti-mullerian hormone.

Anomia

Difficulty in finding (remem bering) the appropriate word to describe an object, action or attribute, one of the symptom of aphasia is known as anomia.

Anorexia nervosa

A disorder that most frequently afflicts young women; exaggerated concern with over-weight that leads to excessive dieting and often compulsive exercising; can lead to starvation is known as anorexia nervosa.

Anxiety disorder

A psychological disorder characterized by tension, aver activity of the autonomic nervous system, expectation of an impending disaster, and continuous vigilance for danger is known as anxiety disorder.

Anxiolytic

An anxiety reducing effect is known as anxiolytic.

AP5 (2-amino-5-phosphono pentanoate)

A drug that blocks the glutamate binding site on NMDA receptors is known as AP5.

Apperceptive visual agnosia

Failure to perceive objects; even though visual acuity is relatively normal is known as apperceptive visual agnosia.

Aphasia

Difficulty in producing or comprehending speech not produced by deafness or a simple motor deficit; caused by brain damage is known as aphasia.

Apoptosis

Death of a cell caused by chemical or chemical signal that activates a genetic mechanism inside the cell is known as apoptosis.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE)

A glycoprotein that transports cholesterol in the blood and plays a role in cellular repair; presence of E4 allele of the apoE gene increases the risk of late onset Alzheimer's disease is known as apolipoprotein E.

Apraxia of speech

Impairment in the ability to programme movements of the tongue, lips and throat required to produce the proper sequence of speech sounds is known as apraxia of speech.

Arachnoid membrane

The middle layer of the meninges, located between the outer dura mater and inner pia mater is known as arachnoid membrane.

Area postrema

A region of the medulla when the blood-brain barrier is weak, poisons can be detected there and can initiate vomiting is known as area postrema.

Arcuate fasciculus

A bundle of axons that connects wernicke's area with broca's area; damage causes conduction aphasia is known as arcuate fasciculus.

Arcuate nucleus

A nucleus in the base of the hypothalamus that controls secretions of the anterior pituitary gland; contains NPY-secreting neurons involved in feeding and control of metabolism is known as arcuate nucleus.

Associative long-term potentiation

A long-term potentiation in which concurrent stimulation of weak and strong synapses to a given neuron strengthens the weak ones is known as associative long-term potentiation.

Associative visual agnosia

Inability to identify objects that are perceived visually, even though the forms of perceived object can be drawn or matched with similar objects is known as associative visual agnosia.

Astrocyte

A glial cell that provides support for neurons of the central nervous system, provides nutrients and other  substances, and regulates the chemical composition of the extra cellular fluid is known as astrocyte.

Asymmetrical division

Division of a founder cell that gives rise to another founder cell and a neuron, which migrates away from the ventricular zone toward it's final resting place in the brain is known as asymmetrical division.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A disorder characterized by uninhibited responses, lack of sustained attention, and hyperactivity; first shows itself in childhood is known as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Atropine

A drug that blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors is known as atropine.

Aura

A sensation that precedes a seizure; it's exact nature depends on the location of the seizure focus is known as aura.

Autistic disorder

A chronic disorder whose symptoms include failure to develop normal social relations with other people, impaired development of communicative ability, and repetitive, stereotyped movements is known as autistic disorder.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS)

The portion of the peripheral nervous system that control the body's vegetative functions is known as autonomic nervous system.

Autoradiography

A procedure that locates radioactive substances in the slice of tissue; the radiation exposes a photographic emulsion or a piece of film that covers the tissue is known as autoradiography.

Autoreceptors

A receptor molecule located on the neuron that responds to the neurotransmitter released by that neuron is known as autoreceptor.

Auto to pagnosia

Inability to name body parts or to identify body parts that another person names is known as auto to pagnosia.

Axon

A long, thin, cylindrical structure that conveys information from the soma of the neuron to it's terminal buttons is known as axon.

Axonal varicosity

An enlarged region along the length of an axon that contains synaptic vesicles and releases a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator is known as axonal varicosity.

Axoplasmic transport

An active process by which substances are propelled along microtubules that run the length of the axon is known as axoplasmic transport.

B

Basal ganglia

A group of subcortical nuclei in the telencephalon, the caudate nucleus, the global pallidus, and the putamen; important part of the motor system is known as basal ganglia.

Basic rest activity cycle

A 90 minute cycle (in humans) of waxing and waning alertness, controlling by the biological clock in the caudal brain stem; controls cycle of REM sleep and slow wave sleep is known as basic rest activity cycle.

Basilar membrane

A membrane in the cochlea of the inner ear, contains the organ of the corti is known as basilar membrane.

Benign tumor

A non cancerous (literally "harmless") tumor; has a distinct border and can not metastasize is known as benign tumor.

Benzodiazepine

A category of anxiolytic drugs; an indirect agonist for the GABA receptor is known as benzodiazepine.

Beta activity

Irregular electrical activity of 13-30 Hz recorded from the brain; generally associated with the state of arousal is known as beta activity.

Bicuculline

A direct antagonist for the GABA binding site on the GABA receptor is known as bicuculline.

Binding site

The location on the receptor protein to which a ligand binds is known as binding site.

Bipolar cell

A bipolar neuron located in the middle layer of the retina, conveying information from the photoreceptor to the ganglion cells is known as bipolar cell.

Bipolar disorder

A serious mood disorder characterized by cyclical periods of mania and depression is known as bipolar disorder.

Bipolar neuron

A neuron with one axon and one dendrite attached to it's soma is known as bipolar neuron.

Black widow spider venom

A poison produced by the black widow spider by that triggers the release of acetylcholine is known as black widow spider venom.

Blood brain barrier

A semi-permeable barrier between the blood and the brain produced by the cells in the walls of the brain's capillaries is known as blood brain barrier.

Botulinum toxin

An acetylcholine antagonist; prevents release by terminal buttons is known as botulinum toxin.

Brain stem

The stem of the brain, from the medulla of the diencephalon, excluding the cerebellum is known as brain stem.

Bregma

The junction of the sagittal and coronal sutures of the skull; often used as reference point for stereotaxic brain surgery is known as bregma.

Brightness

One of the perceptual dimensions of color; intensity is known as brightness.

Broca's aphasia

A form of aphasia characterized by agrammatism, anomia, and extreme difficulty in speech articulation is known as Broca's aphasia.

Broca's area

A region of frontal cortex, located just rostral to the base of the left primary motor cortex, that is necessary for normal speech production is known as Broca's area.

Bruce effect

Termination of a pregnancy caused by an odor of the pheromone in the urine of the male other than the one that impregnated the female; first identified in mice is known as Bruce effect.

Bulimia nervosa

Bouts of excessive hunger and eating, often followed by forced vomiting or purging with laxatives; sometimes seen in people with anorexia nervosa.

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Schools of Psychology

A

Absolute Threshold

The point of sensitivity below which no sensation can be detected and above which sensation can be experienced is known as absolute threshold.

Act psychology

Brentano's system of psychology, which focused on mental activities (e.g., seeing) rather than on mental contents (e.g., that which is seen) is known as act psychology.

Analytical psychology

Jung's theory of personality is known as analytical psychology.

Anecdotal method

The use of observational reports about animal behaviour is known as anecdotal method.

Apperception

The process by which mental elements are organized is known as apperception.

Archetypes

Inherited tendencies within the collective unconscious that dispose a person to behave similarly to ancestors who confronted similar situations.

Associated reflexes

Reflexes that can be elicited not only by unconditioned stimuli but also by stimuli that have become associated with the unconditioned stimuli is known as associated reflexes.

Association

The notion that knowledge results from linking or associating simple ideas to form complex ideas is known as association.

Associative memory

An association between stimulus and response; taken to indicate evidence of consciousness in animals is known as associative memory.

B

Basic anxiety

Horney's conception of pervasive loneliness and helplessness, feelings that are the foundation of neuroses is known as basic anxiety.

Behaviour modification

The use of positive reinforcement to control or modify the behaviour of individual or groups is known as behaviour modification.

Behaviorism

Watson's science of behaviour, which dealt solely with observable behavioral acts that could be described in objective terms.

C

Catharsis

The process of reducing or eliminating a complex by recalling it to conscious awareness and allowing it to be expressed is known as catharsis.

Clinical method

Posthumous examination of brain structures to detect damaged areas assumed to be responsible for behavioral conditions that existed before the person died is known as clinical method.

Cognitive psychology

A system of psychology that focuses on the process of knowing, on how the mind actively organizes experiences is known as cognitive psychology.

Collective unconscious

The deepest level of the psyche; it contains inherited experiences of human and prehuman species is known as collective unconscious.

Conditioned reflexes

Reflexes that are conditional or dependent on the formation of an association or connection between stimulus and response are known as conditioned reflexes.

D

Defense mechanism

Behaviors that represent unconscious denials or distortions of reality but which are adopted to protect the ego against anxiety is known as defense mechanism.

Derived and innate ideas

Derived ideas are produced by the direct application of an external stimulus; innate ideas arise from the mind or consciousness, independent of sensory experiences or external stimuli are known as derived and innate ideas.

Determinism

The doctrine that acts are determined by past events is known as determinism.

Differential threshold

The point of sensitivity at which the least amount of change in the stimulus gives rise to the change in sensation is known as differential threshold.

Dream analysis

A psychotherapeutic technique involving interpreting dreams to uncover unconscious conflicts is known as dream analysis.

Dynamic psychology

Woodworth's system of psychology, which was concerned with the influence of causal factors and motivations on feelings and behaviours is known as dynamic psychology.

E

Ego

The rational aspects of personality responsible for controlling the instincts is known as ego.

Electrical stimulation

A technique for exploring the cerebral cortex with weak electric current to observe motor responses is known as electrical stimulation.

Empiricism

The pursuit of knowledge through the observation of nature and the attribution of all knowledge to experience is known as empiricism.

Equipotentiality

The idea that one part of the cerebral cortex is essentially equal to another in it's contribution to learning is known as equipotentiality.

Extirpation

A technique for determining the function of a given part of an animal's brain by removing or destroying it and observing the resulting behaviour changes is known as extirpation.

F

Field theory

Lewin's system using the concept of fields of force to explain behaviour in terms of one's field of social influences is known as field theory.

Fields of force

Regions or spaces traversed by lines of force, such as of a magnet or electric current is known as fields of force.

Free association

A psychotherapeutic technique in which the patient says whatever comes to mind is known as free association.

Freudian slip

An act of forgetting or a lapse in speech that reflects unconscious motives or anxieties is known as freudian slip.

Functionalism

A system of psychology concerned with the mind as it is used in an organism's adaptation to its environment is known as functionalism.

G

Gestalt psychology

A system of psychology that focuses largely on learning and perception, suggesting that combining sensory elements produces new patterns with properties that did not exist in the individual elements is known as gestalt psychology.

H

Habit strength

The strength of the stimulus response connection, which is a function of the number of reinforcements is known as habit strength.

Historiography

The principles, methods and philosophical issues of historical research is known as historiography.

Humanistic psychology

A system of psychology that emphasizes the study of conscious experience and the wholeness of human nature is known as humanistic psychology.

Hypothetico-deductive method

Hull's method for establishing postulates from which experimentally testable conclusions can be deduced is known as hypothetico-deductive method.

I

Id

The source of psychic energy and the aspect of personality allied with the instincts is known as id.

Imageless thought

Kulpe's idea that meaning in the thought can occur without any sensory or imaginal component is known as imageless thought.

Individual psychology

Adler's theory of personality; it incorporates social as well as biological factors is known as individual psychology.

Inferiority complex

A condition that develops when a person is unable to compensate for normal inferiority feelings is known as inferiority complex.

Insight

Immediate apprehension or cognition is known as insight.

J

Just noticeable difference

The smallest difference that can be detected between two physical stimuli is known as just noticeable difference.

L

Law of acquisition

The strength of an operant behaviour is increased when it is followed by the presentation of a reinforcing stimulus is known as law of acquisition.

Law of effect

Acts that produce satisfaction in a given situation become associated with that situation; when the situation recurs, the act is likely to occur is known as Law of effect.

Law of exercise

The more an act or response is used in a given situation, the more strongly the act becomes associated with that situation is known as law of exercise.

Law of mass action

The efficiency of learning is a function of the total mass of cortical tissue is known as law of mass action.

Law of parsimony (Lloyd Morgan's canon)

The notion that animal behaviour must not be attributed to a higher mental processes when it can be explained in terms of a lower mental process is known as law of parsimony.

N

Naturalistic theory

The view that progress and change in scientific history are attributable to the Zeitgeist, which make a culture receptive to some ideas but not to other is known as naturalistic theory.

Nonsense syllables

Syllables presented in the meaningless series to study memory processes is known as nonsense syllables.

O

Oedipus complex

At ages 4 to 5, the unconscious desire of the boy for his mother and the desire to replace or destroy his father is known as oedipus complex.

Operant conditioning

A learning situation that involves behaviours emitted by an organism rather than elicited by a detectable stimulus is known as operant conditioning.

Operationism

The doctrine that a physical concept can be defined in precise terms related to the set of operations or procedures by which it is determined is known as operationism.

P

Perceptual constancy

A quality of wholeness or completeness in perceptual experience that does not vary even when the sensory elements change is known as perceptual constancy.

Personal unconscious

The reservoir of material that once was conscious but has been forgotten or suppressed is known as personal unconscious.

Personalistic theory

The view that progress and change in scientific history are attributable to the ideas of unique individuals is known as personalistic theory.

Phenomenology

Stumpf's introspective method that experience as it occurred and did not try to reduce experience to elementary components is known as phenomenology. Also, an approach to knowledge based on an unbiased description of immediate experience as it occurs, not analyzed or reduced to elements.

Phi phenomenon

The illusion that two stationary flashing lights are moving from one place to another is known as phi phenomenon.

R

Recapitulation theory

Hall's idea that the psychological development of children repeats the history of the human race is known as recapitulation theory.

Reductionism

The doctrine that explains phenomena on one level (such as complex ideas) in terms of phenomena on another level (such as simple ideas) is known as reductionism.

Reflex action theory

The idea that an external object (a stimulus) can bring about an involuntary response is known as reflex action theory.

Reflex arc

The connection between the sensory stimuli and motor responses is known as reflex arc.

Reinforcement

Something that increases the likelihood of response is known as reinforcement.

S

Self-actualization

The full development of one's abilities and the realization of one's potential is known as self-actualization.

Self-efficacy

One's sense of sense-esteem and competence in dealing with life's problems is known as self-efficacy.

Simple and complex ideas

Simple ideas are elemental ideas that arise from sensation and reflection; complex ideas are derived ideas that are compounded of simple ideas and thus can be analyzed or reduced to their simple components is known as simple and complex ideas.

Social interest

Adler's conception of an innate potential to cooperate with other people to achieve personal and societal goals is known as social interest.

Stimulus error

Confusing the mental process under study with the stimulus or object being observed is known as stimulus error.

T

Transference

The process by which a patient respond to the therapist as if the therapist were a significant person (such as parent) in the patients life is known as transference.

Trial-and error learning

Learning based on the repetition of response tendencies that lead to success is known as trial-and error learning.

Tridimensional theory of feelings

Wundt's explanation for feelings states based on three dimension: pleasure/displeasure, tension/relaxation, and excitement/depression is known as tridimensional theory of feelings.

Tropism

An involuntary forced movement is known as tropism.

Two-point threshold

The threshold at which two points of stimulation can be distinguished as such is known as two-point threshold.

V

Variability hypothesis

The notion that men show a wider range and variation of physical and mental development than women; the abilities of women are seen as more average is known as variability hypothesis.

Vicarious reinforcement

Bandura's notion that learning can occur by observing the behaviour of other people, and the consequences of their behaviour, rather than by always experiencing reinforcement personality is known as vicarious reinforcement.

Voluntarism

The idea that the mind has the capacity to organize mental contents into higher-level thought processes is known as voluntarism

Z

Zeigarnik effect

The tendency to recall uncompleted tasks more easily than completed tasks is known as Zeigarnik effect.

Zeitgeist

The intellectual and cultural climate or spirit of the times is known as Zeitgeist.

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