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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 – 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 In modern diagnostic practice, amentia is considered outdated and replaced by categories of intellectual developmental disorder based on measured impairment.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 – 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 – 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 – Ameslan
Ameslan is an informal term for American Sign Language (ASL). Like ASL, it refers to the signed linguistic system used by the Deaf community in North America, governed by distinct grammatical and symbolic rules.
Ameslan is an informal term for American Sign Language (ASL). Like ASL, it refers to the signed linguistic system used by the Deaf community in North America, governed by distinct grammatical and symbolic rules.
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Psychological Terms – Ames Room
An Ames room is a specially constructed, distorted room that creates powerful illusions of size and distance. Viewed through a peephole with one eye, the room appears normal and rectangular, but because the floor, walls, and ceiling are actually slanted, people positioned in different corners seem dramatically larger or smaller. This demonstrates how strong perceptual assumptions—such as expecting rooms to be rectangular—shape spatial interpretation.
An Ames room is a specially constructed, distorted room that creates powerful illusions of size and distance. Viewed through a peephole with one eye, the room appears normal and rectangular, but because the floor, walls, and ceiling are actually slanted, people positioned in different corners seem dramatically larger or smaller. This demonstrates how strong perceptual assumptions—such as expecting rooms to be rectangular—shape spatial interpretation.
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Psychological Terms – Ames Window
The Ames window is a trapezoid-shaped panel that creates an illusion when rotated. Instead of being perceived as spinning continuously, the window appears to oscillate back and forth. This occurs because the viewer interprets the shape as a normal rectangular window, showing how prior knowledge biases perception.
The Ames window is a trapezoid-shaped panel that creates an illusion when rotated. Instead of being perceived as spinning continuously, the window appears to oscillate back and forth. This occurs because the viewer interprets the shape as a normal rectangular window, showing how prior knowledge biases perception.
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Psychological Terms – Ametropia
Ametropia is a condition in which light does not focus properly on the retina, resulting in blurred vision. It includes myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Although the eye appears structurally normal, faulty refraction prevents clear imaging, leading to partial or functional visual loss unless corrected.
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Psychological Terms – Amfetamine
A spelling variant of amphetamine, a stimulant that elevates activity in the central nervous system and is used medically for disorders such as ADHD and narcolepsy.
A spelling variant of amphetamine, a stimulant that elevates activity in the central nervous system and is used medically for disorders such as ADHD and narcolepsy.
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Psychological Terms – Amimia
Amimia is the inability to express meaningfully through gestures or facial movement, or to understand others’ gestures. It typically results from neurological injury and diminishes nonverbal communication.
Amimia is the inability to express meaningfully through gestures or facial movement, or to understand others’ gestures. It typically results from neurological injury and diminishes nonverbal communication.
