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Psychology Terms - Akinaesthesia
The absence of kinaesthesis or muscular sensibility, typically arising from central nervous system impairment. Also referred to as akinaesthesis.
The absence of kinaesthesis or muscular sensibility, typically arising from central nervous system impairment. Also referred to as akinaesthesis.
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Psychology Terms – Akinesia
A reduction in spontaneous motor activity and a diminishment of normal gestures, occasionally resulting from a lesion in the supplementary motor region. Akinetopsia is a perceptual disorder marked by the inability to sense motion; stationary objects are visible, but their movement causes them to vanish. This condition is typically linked to a lesion in Area V5 (also known as MT) of the visual cortex, located at the posterior aspect of the middle temporal gyrus.
A reduction in spontaneous motor activity and a diminishment of normal gestures, occasionally resulting from a lesion in the supplementary motor region. Akinetopsia is a perceptual disorder marked by the inability to sense motion; stationary objects are visible, but their movement causes them to vanish. This condition is typically linked to a lesion in Area V5 (also known as MT) of the visual cortex, located at the posterior aspect of the middle temporal gyrus.
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Psychology Terms – Akrasia
A deficiency of willpower, or the act of contravening one's superior judgment. The notion was extensively examined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) in Nicomachean Ethics (Book 7), where he differentiated akrasia and its associated virtue, self-control, from self-indulgence and its related virtue, temperance. Aristotle exemplified the dichotomy through the act of consuming sweet foods: 'The former [the self-indulgent individual] is guided by his own volition, believing he should perpetually seek immediate gratification; whereas the latter [the akrates] does not share this belief yet nonetheless engages in the pursuit.' (Bekker edition, p. 1146b).
A deficiency of willpower, or the act of contravening one's superior judgment. The notion was extensively examined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 BC) in Nicomachean Ethics (Book 7), where he differentiated akrasia and its associated virtue, self-control, from self-indulgence and its related virtue, temperance. Aristotle exemplified the dichotomy through the act of consuming sweet foods: 'The former [the self-indulgent individual] is guided by his own volition, believing he should perpetually seek immediate gratification; whereas the latter [the akrates] does not share this belief yet nonetheless engages in the pursuit.' (Bekker edition, p. 1146b).
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Psychology Terms - alarm call
A voice alarm signal.
A voice alarm signal.
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Psychology Terms -Alarm pheromone
A pheromone emitted by an animal as an alarm signal, provoking a fear or panic response in conspecifics.
A pheromone emitted by an animal as an alarm signal, provoking a fear or panic response in conspecifics.
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Psychology Terms - Alarm reaction
The initial phase of the *general adaptation syndrome to *stress (1), marked by an initial decrease in body temperature and blood pressure, succeeded by a countershock phase wherein hormones such as *cortisol (hydrocortisone), *adrenalin (epinephrine), and *noradrenalin (norepinephrine) are released into the bloodstream, initiating a biological defensive response.
The initial phase of the *general adaptation syndrome to *stress (1), marked by an initial decrease in body temperature and blood pressure, succeeded by a countershock phase wherein hormones such as *cortisol (hydrocortisone), *adrenalin (epinephrine), and *noradrenalin (norepinephrine) are released into the bloodstream, initiating a biological defensive response.
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Psychology Terms - alarm signal
A sound or message produced by a bird or animal in reaction to a danger or threat, which is acknowledged by other members of the same species as a signal to initiate evasive measures. It is occasionally categorized as a form of altruism, as it highlights the one issuing the alarm signal and may subject them to increased peril.
A sound or message produced by a bird or animal in reaction to a danger or threat, which is acknowledged by other members of the same species as a signal to initiate evasive measures. It is occasionally categorized as a form of altruism, as it highlights the one issuing the alarm signal and may subject them to increased peril.
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Psychology Terms – Albedo
The measure of reflectivity, quantified by the ratio of incident light that an item reflects.
The measure of reflectivity, quantified by the ratio of incident light that an item reflects.
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Psychology Terms - Alcohol
Ethyl alcohol, a colorless volatile liquid and central nervous system depressant substance created by the fermentation of sugar, serving as the psychoactive component in intoxicating beverages. Its pharmacological mechanism, although not entirely elucidated, is partially attributed to the enhancement of the inhibitory neurotransmitter *GABA, likely via the activation of the GABA receptor complex. While the absorption and bioavailability of alcohol are influenced by body weight, sex, recent food intake, and various other factors, approximately one unit of alcohol (equivalent to one half pint of beer, one glass of wine, or one measure of spirits) consumed by an average individual weighing 150 lb (68 kg) typically results in aA blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of approximately 20 mg/dl results in significant impairment in performance on intricate hand-eye coordination tasks. Consuming two units in rapid succession, with alcohol typically metabolized at a rate of one unit per hour, elevates the BAC to 40 mg/dl, further impairing visual acuity. Three units correspond to a BAC of 60 mg/dl, resulting in a loss of coordination. Seven units yield a BAC of 140 mg/dl, accompanied by confusion, slurred speech, and ataxia. Twelve units result in a BAC of 240 mg/dl, leading to coma, while 14 units culminate in a BAC of 280 mg/dl, resulting in death. Upon alcohol consumption, inhibitory processes diminish initially, leading to an amplification of spinal reflexes and the emergence of behaviors (such as talkativeness, exuberance, and aggression) typically moderated by social inhibition—this explains the erroneous belief that it acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Also referred to as ethanol. Chemical formula C2H5OH. Alcoholic adj. 1. Pertaining to alcohol. A person with a dependency on alcohol. alcohol dependence Alcohol dependence
Ethyl alcohol, a colorless volatile liquid and central nervous system depressant substance created by the fermentation of sugar, serving as the psychoactive component in intoxicating beverages. Its pharmacological mechanism, although not entirely elucidated, is partially attributed to the enhancement of the inhibitory neurotransmitter *GABA, likely via the activation of the GABA receptor complex. While the absorption and bioavailability of alcohol are influenced by body weight, sex, recent food intake, and various other factors, approximately one unit of alcohol (equivalent to one half pint of beer, one glass of wine, or one measure of spirits) consumed by an average individual weighing 150 lb (68 kg) typically results in aA blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of approximately 20 mg/dl results in significant impairment in performance on intricate hand-eye coordination tasks. Consuming two units in rapid succession, with alcohol typically metabolized at a rate of one unit per hour, elevates the BAC to 40 mg/dl, further impairing visual acuity. Three units correspond to a BAC of 60 mg/dl, resulting in a loss of coordination. Seven units yield a BAC of 140 mg/dl, accompanied by confusion, slurred speech, and ataxia. Twelve units result in a BAC of 240 mg/dl, leading to coma, while 14 units culminate in a BAC of 280 mg/dl, resulting in death. Upon alcohol consumption, inhibitory processes diminish initially, leading to an amplification of spinal reflexes and the emergence of behaviors (such as talkativeness, exuberance, and aggression) typically moderated by social inhibition—this explains the erroneous belief that it acts as a central nervous system stimulant. Also referred to as ethanol. Chemical formula C2H5OH. Alcoholic adj. 1. Pertaining to alcohol. A person with a dependency on alcohol. alcohol dependence Alcohol dependence
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Psychology Terms - Alcohol abuse
A type of substance misuse characterized by excessive consumption of alcohol, resulting in significant dysfunction at family, school, or job. When there is evidence of tolerance, withdrawal, or compulsive drinking, a diagnosis of alcohol dependence rather than alcohol abuse may be warranted. Preferred terminology: alcohol misuse.
A type of substance misuse characterized by excessive consumption of alcohol, resulting in significant dysfunction at family, school, or job. When there is evidence of tolerance, withdrawal, or compulsive drinking, a diagnosis of alcohol dependence rather than alcohol abuse may be warranted. Preferred terminology: alcohol misuse.
