GLOSSARY
° A °Abnormal psychology The subfi eld of
psychology that studies the causes and
progression of psychological disorders;
also referred to as psychopathology.
Abstinence violation effect The condition
that arises when the violation of a self-
imposed rule about food restriction leads
to feeling out of control with food, which
then leads to overeating.
Action potential The wave of chemical
activity that moves from the cell body
down the axon when a neuron fi res.
Active phase The phase of a psychological
disorder (such as schizophrenia) in which
the individual exhibits symptoms that meet
all the criteria for the disorder.
Acute stress disorder The anxiety
disorder that arises within a month
after a traumatic event and that involves
reexperiencing of the event, avoiding
stimuli related to the event, and symptoms
of anxiety, hyperarousal, and dissociation
that last for less than a month.
Affect An emotion that is associated with
a particular idea or behavior, similar to an
attitude.
Age cohort A group of people born in a
particular range of years.
Agonists Medications that mimic
the effects of a neurotransmitter or
neuromodulator and activate a particular
type of receptor.
Agoraphobia The persistent avoidance of
situations that might trigger panic symptoms
or from which escape would be diffi cult.
Allegiance effect A pattern in which studies
conducted by investigators who prefer a
particular theoretical orientation tend to
obtain data that supports that particular
orientation.
Alogia A negative symptom of
schizophrenia marked by speaking less
than most other people and responding
slowly or minimally to questions.
Alzheimer’s disease A medical condition in
which the affl icted individual initially has
problems with both memory and executive
function and which leads to progressive
dementia.
Amenorrhea The suppression of menstruation;
this condition is diagnosed after three
consecutive missed menstrual cycles.
American Legal Institute test (ALI test) The
legal test in which a person is considered
insane if a defendant either lacks a
substantial capacity to appreciate that
his or her behavior was wrong or has
a diminished ability to make his or her
behavior conform to the law.Amnesia Memory loss, which is usually
temporary but, in rare cases, may be
permanent.Amnestic disorder A cognitive disorder
characterized by impaired memory while
other mental processes remain relatively intact.Amyloid plaques Fragments of protein
that accumulate on the outside surfaces
of neurons, particularly neurons in the
hippocampus.
Analogue study Research in which
treatment is provided in a way that
is analogous to the way it is usually
provided, but that is conducted under
controlled conditions in a laboratory
setting, thereby minimizing confounds.Anhedonia A diffi culty or inability to
experience pleasure.Anorexia nervosa An eating disorder
characterized by being at least 15% below
expected body weight along with using
various methods to prevent weight gain.Antabuse A medication for treating alcohol
abuse and dependence that induces violent
nausea and vomiting when it is mixed with
alcohol.Antagonists Medications that bind to a
receptor site on a dendrite (or cell body)
and prevent the neurotransmitter in the
synapse from binding to that receptor or
cause less of it to bind.Antipsychotic medications Medications that
reduce certain psychotic symptoms; also
calledneuroleptic medications.Antisocial personality disorder A personality
disorder characterized by a persistent
disregard for the rights of others.Anxiety A sense of agitation or
nervousness, which is often focused on an
upcoming possible danger.Anxiety disorder A category of
psychological disorders in which the
primary symptoms involve extreme anxiety,
intense arousal, and/or extreme attempts to
avoid stimuli that lead to fear and anxiety.Anxious apprehension Anxiety that arises
in response to a high level of fear of a
particular stimulus.Aphasia A neurological condition
characterized by problems in producing or
comprehending language.Applied behavior analysis A technique
used to modify maladaptive behaviors by
reinforcing new behaviors through shaping.
Apraxia A neurological condition
characterized by problems in organizing
and carrying out voluntary movements
even though the muscles themselves are
not impaired.
Asperger’s disorder A psychological disorder
on the autism spectrum characterized
by problems with social interaction and
narrowed behaviors—similar to but less
severe than autism—but in which language
and cognitive development are in the
normal range; also referred to as Asperger’s
syndrome.
Asylums Institutions to house and care
for people who are affl icted with mental
illness.
Attention-defi cit/hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) A psychological disorder that
typically arises in childhood and is
characterized by inattention, hyperactivity,
and/or impulsivity.
Attrition The reduction in the number of
participants during a research study.
Atypical antipsychotics A relatively new class
of antipsychotic medications that affect
dopamine and serotonin activity but create
fewer movement-related side effects than do
traditional antipsychotics; also referred to
assecond-generation antipsychotics.
Autistic disorder A pervasive developmental
disorder that arises in childhood and is
characterized by delayed or impaired
communication and social skills, along
with restricted and repetitive behaviors
and interests; also referred to as autism.
Avoidant personality disorder A personality
disorder characterized by extreme social
inhibition (i.e., extreme shyness) that usually
stems from feeling inadequate and being
overly sensitive to negative evaluation.
Avolition A negative symptom of
schizophrenia marked by diffi culty in
initiating or following through with activities.° B °
Behavior modifi cation The use of operant
conditioning principles to change
maladaptive behavior.
Behavior therapy The form of treatment
that rests on the ideas that (1) maladaptive
behaviors, cognitions, and emotions stem
from previous learning and (2) new learning
can allow patients to develop more adaptive
behaviors, cognitions, and emotions.G1