frequency or intensity of exposure to the
stimulus that elicits the response.Stimulus generalization The process
whereby responses come to be elicited by
stimuli that are similar to the conditioned
stimulus.
Stroke The interruption of normal blood
fl ow to or within the brain, which results
in neuronal death.
Substance abuse A pattern of use of a
psychoactive substance that leads to harm
or other adverse effects.
Substance dependence The persistent
and compulsive use of a psychoactive
substance, despite its negative effects on
work, relationships, health, or its legal
consequences.
Substance intoxication The reversible
dysfunctional effects on thoughts, feelings,
and behavior that arise from the use of a
psychoactive substance.Substance use disorders Psychological
disorders characterized by abuse of or
dependence on psychoactive substances.
Subthreshold cases The designation given
to cases in which patients have symptoms
that fi t all the necessary criteria, but at
levels lower than required for the diagnosis
of a disorder.
Suicidal ideation Thoughts of suicide.
Superego According to Freud, the seat of the
conscience, which works to impose morality.
Synapse The place where the tip of the
axon of one neuron sends signals to
another neuron.
Systematic desensitization The behavioral
technique of learning to relax in the
presence of a feared stimulus.
Systems therapy The form of treatment
that is designed to change the
communication or behavior patterns of
one or more family members in the context
of the family as a whole; also known as
family systems therapy.° T °
Tarasoff rule A ruling by the Supreme Court
of California (and later other courts) that
psychologists have a duty to protect potential
victims who are in imminent danger.
Tardive dyskinesia An enduring side effect
of traditional antipsychotic medicationsthat produces involuntary lip smacking
and odd facial contortions as well as other
movement-related symptoms.Temperament The various aspects of
personality that refl ect a person’s typical
emotional state and emotional reactivity
(including the speed and strength of
reactions to stimuli).
Teratogens Substances or other stimuli that
are harmful to a fetus.Theory A principle or set of principles that
explains a set of data.
Theory of mind A theory about other
people’s mental states (their beliefs, desires,
and feelings) that allows a person to
predict how other people will react in a
given situation.
Therapeutic alliance The positive relationship
between the therapist and the patient.Tic disorders A set of disorders characterized
by persistent tics (motor or vocal) that
occur many times a day on most days.
Token economy A treatment program
that uses “tokens” or chits as secondary
reinforcers to change behavior.Tolerance The physiological response that
arises from repeated use of a substance
such that more of it is required to obtain
the same effect.
Tourette’s disorder A tic disorder characterized
by recurrent motoric and vocal tics; also
referred to as Tourette syndrome.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) A
procedure that sends sequences of short,
strong magnetic pulses into the cerebral
cortex via a coil placed on the scalp.Transference The psychodynamic process
by which patients interact with the
therapist in the same manner that they
did with their parents or other important
fi gures in their lives.
Transvestic fetishism A paraphilia in
which a heterosexual man cross-dresses
in women’s clothes for sexual arousal
and experiences distress or impaired
functioning because of the cross-dressing;
formerly called transvestism.Treatment (for psychological disorders) The
use of a procedure or substance to reduce
or eliminate psychological problems or
symptoms of psychological disorders
and/or improve quality of life.Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) Older
antidepressants named after the three rings
of atoms in their molecular structure.° U °
Unconditioned response (UCR) A behavior
that is refl exively elicited by a stimulus.
Unconditioned stimulus (UCS) A stimulus
that refl exively elicits a behavior.
Undifferentiated schizophrenia The
subtype of schizophrenia characterized
by symptoms that do not completely
match those specifi ed for the paranoid,
disorganized, or catatonic subtype.° V °
Vaginismus A sexual dysfunction in
females in which recurrent or persistent
involuntary spasms of the musculature of
the outer third of the vagina interfere with
sexual intercourse.
Valid Classifi cation systems (or measures)
that actually characterize what they are
supposed to characterize.
Validate A systems therapy technique
by which the therapist demonstrates an
understanding of each family member’s
feelings and desires.
Vascular dementia A type of dementia
caused by reduced or blocked blood supply
to the brain, which arises from plaque
buildup or blood clots.
Vegetative signs (of depression) Psychomotor
symptoms as well as changes in appetite,
weight, and sleep.
Voyeurism A paraphilia characterized
by sexual fantasies, urges, or behaviors
that involve observing someone who is in
the process of undressing, is nude, or is
engaged in sexual activity, when the person
being observed has neither consented to
nor is aware of being observed.° W °
Wernicke’s aphasia A neurological condition
characterized by problems comprehending
language and producing meaningful
utterances.
Withdrawal The set of symptoms that arises
when a regular user decreases or stops
intake of an abused substance.
Word salad Disorganized speech consisting
of a random stream of seemingly
unconnected words.G10 Glossary