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Psychological Terms — Amygdala
The amygdala is a pair of almond-shaped neural structures located at the base of each temporal lobe, forming a central component of the limbic system. Closely interconnected with the hippocampus and olfactory cortex, the amygdala plays an essential role in processing emotional information — particularly fear, threat detection, anger, and aggressive responding. It helps assign emotional value to stimuli and facilitates rapid reactions to environmental dangers, making it crucial to survival.
The amygdala is also involved in motivational states, feeding behaviors, and the modulation of memory. Through its connections with the hippocampus, emotionally charged experiences are more readily consolidated into long-term memory. Electrical stimulation of the amygdala in humans or other animals often elicits intense fear or aggression, whereas damage can result in a blunted affective response, impaired fear recognition, and inappropriate social behaviors.
Abnormal functioning of the amygdala has been associated with psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and impulse-control disorders.
The structure is sometimes referred to as the amygdaloid complex, reflecting its internal subdivisions. Its involvement in emotional learning, social evaluation, and defensive behavior highlights its importance in both psychological and neurobiological research.
The amygdala is a pair of almond-shaped neural structures located at the base of each temporal lobe, forming a central component of the limbic system. Closely interconnected with the hippocampus and olfactory cortex, the amygdala plays an essential role in processing emotional information — particularly fear, threat detection, anger, and aggressive responding. It helps assign emotional value to stimuli and facilitates rapid reactions to environmental dangers, making it crucial to survival.
The amygdala is also involved in motivational states, feeding behaviors, and the modulation of memory. Through its connections with the hippocampus, emotionally charged experiences are more readily consolidated into long-term memory. Electrical stimulation of the amygdala in humans or other animals often elicits intense fear or aggression, whereas damage can result in a blunted affective response, impaired fear recognition, and inappropriate social behaviors.
Abnormal functioning of the amygdala has been associated with psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and impulse-control disorders.
The structure is sometimes referred to as the amygdaloid complex, reflecting its internal subdivisions. Its involvement in emotional learning, social evaluation, and defensive behavior highlights its importance in both psychological and neurobiological research.
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Psychological Terms – American Sign Language (ASL)
American Sign Language is the primary visual-gestural language used by Deaf communities in the United States. It communicates meaning through structured hand movements, facial expression, and body posture. ASL is a fully developed language with its own grammar and syntax and is not derived from English. It is distinct from British Sign Language (BSL), meaning speakers of the two are not mutually intelligible.
American Sign Language is the primary visual-gestural language used by Deaf communities in the United States. It communicates meaning through structured hand movements, facial expression, and body posture. ASL is a fully developed language with its own grammar and syntax and is not derived from English. It is distinct from British Sign Language (BSL), meaning speakers of the two are not mutually intelligible.
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Psychological Terms – American College Testing Program (ACTP)
The American College Testing Program, commonly known as the ACT, is a standardized examination widely used in the United States to evaluate students’ academic readiness for university admission. The test assesses multiple areas—English, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences—to provide a general estimate of educational preparation. It serves a similar purpose to the SAT, though its structure and emphasis differ.
The American College Testing Program, commonly known as the ACT, is a standardized examination widely used in the United States to evaluate students’ academic readiness for university admission. The test assesses multiple areas—English, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences—to provide a general estimate of educational preparation. It serves a similar purpose to the SAT, though its structure and emphasis differ.
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Psychological Terms – Amentia
Amentia refers to a severe form of intellectual disability present from early development. Individuals described with amentia show marked limitations in reasoning, conceptual understanding, and adaptive behavior, often requiring life-long support. Historically, the term was used to distinguish this condition from dementia, which involves cognitive decline after previously normal functioning. In modern diagnostic practice, amentia is considered outdated and replaced by categories of intellectual developmental disorder based on measured impairment.
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Psychological Terms – Amenorrhoea
Amenorrhoea refers to the absence or cessation of menstruation in women of reproductive age. It may be primary (when menstruation never begins) or secondary (when it stops after starting). Causes include hormonal imbalances, excessive physical activity, eating disorders, or stress. From a biopsychological perspective, amenorrhoea demonstrates the interdependence of endocrine function and psychological factors such as emotional stress and anxiety. Chronic amenorrhoea can have long-term consequences on fertility, bone health, and mood regulation.
Amenorrhoea refers to the absence or cessation of menstruation in women of reproductive age. It may be primary (when menstruation never begins) or secondary (when it stops after starting). Causes include hormonal imbalances, excessive physical activity, eating disorders, or stress. From a biopsychological perspective, amenorrhoea demonstrates the interdependence of endocrine function and psychological factors such as emotional stress and anxiety. Chronic amenorrhoea can have long-term consequences on fertility, bone health, and mood regulation.
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Psychological Terms –Amblyopia Ex Anopsia
Amblyopia ex anopsia, or disuse amblyopia, develops when visual deprivation or misalignment (such as strabismus) causes the brain to ignore input from one eye. Over time, the neglected eye loses visual capacity. It illustrates how perception depends on active neural engagement and how early deprivation can permanently alter sensory processing. Treatment often involves occlusion therapy, where the stronger eye is covered to force use of the weaker one.
Amblyopia ex anopsia, or disuse amblyopia, develops when visual deprivation or misalignment (such as strabismus) causes the brain to ignore input from one eye. Over time, the neglected eye loses visual capacity. It illustrates how perception depends on active neural engagement and how early deprivation can permanently alter sensory processing. Treatment often involves occlusion therapy, where the stronger eye is covered to force use of the weaker one.
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Psychological Terms – Amblyopia
Amblyopia, commonly called lazy eye, is a developmental visual disorder in which one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity despite the absence of structural abnormalities. It typically occurs when the brain suppresses input from one eye during childhood, leading to functional blindness in that eye. If untreated during early developmental stages, the condition can become permanent. Amblyopia is significant in developmental psychology because it exemplifies neural plasticity and the importance of early sensory experience in brain maturation.
Amblyopia, commonly called lazy eye, is a developmental visual disorder in which one eye fails to achieve normal visual acuity despite the absence of structural abnormalities. It typically occurs when the brain suppresses input from one eye during childhood, leading to functional blindness in that eye. If untreated during early developmental stages, the condition can become permanent. Amblyopia is significant in developmental psychology because it exemplifies neural plasticity and the importance of early sensory experience in brain maturation.
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Psychological Terms – Amblygeustia
Amblygeustia is the medical and psychological term for reduced sense of taste. It may arise from damage to taste receptors, the gustatory nerves, or parts of the brain involved in flavor perception. Psychologically, amblygeustia can influence appetite, emotional well-being, and enjoyment of food, demonstrating how closely sensory experience and affective states are linked.
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Psychological Terms – Amblyaphia
Amblyaphia describes reduced tactile sensitivity or dullness of touch. Individuals with this condition experience diminished responses to tactile stimuli such as pressure, texture, or temperature. It can result from neurological injury or sensory nerve dysfunction. In neuropsychology, amblyaphia illustrates how sensory deficits affect perception, motor coordination, and body awareness
Amblyaphia describes reduced tactile sensitivity or dullness of touch. Individuals with this condition experience diminished responses to tactile stimuli such as pressure, texture, or temperature. It can result from neurological injury or sensory nerve dysfunction. In neuropsychology, amblyaphia illustrates how sensory deficits affect perception, motor coordination, and body awareness
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Psychological Terms – Amnesic Syndrome
Amnesic syndrome refers to the same condition as amnestic disorder, involving substantial impairment in forming or retrieving long-term memories, while other cognitive capacities may remain relatively intact.
