520个心理学英文名词解释打印版01.AB DesignA single subject research design that contains one baseline (A) and one treatment (B).02.ABAB DesignA single subject research design that contains a baseline (A1), treatment (B1), a second baseline (B2) and a second treatment phase (B2)03.Alpha (lowercase小写字母)The abbreviation for probability of error in statistical results. See Type I Error. (a)04.Alternative Hypothesis 被择假设The hypothesis that states there is a difference between two or more sets of data.05.Absolute ZeroCharacteristic of a scale of measurement that contains a point where the scale has no value. 06.Accommodation 顺应The creation of new cognitive schemas when objects, experiences, or other information does not fit with existing schemas.07.Action PotentialThe firing on a neuron. Occurs when the charge inside the neuron becomes more positive than the charge outside.08.Acetycholine乙酰胆碱A neurotransmitter associated with voluntary movement, sleep and wakefulness.09.AggressiveAn interpersonal style where only the immediate needs of the self are considered rather than the needs of others. (As opposed to passive or assertive)10.Agoraphobia 广场恐怖症An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of leaving one's home.11.All or None LawEither a neuron completely fires or it does not fire at all.12.Alpha (lowercase)The abbreviation for probability of error in statistical results. See Type I Error. (a)13.Alternative HypothesisThe hypothesis that states there is a difference between two or more sets of data.14.Altruism利他主义Behavior that is unselfish and may even be detrimental but which benefits others.15.Amnesia遗忘Loss of memory. Usually only a partial loss such as for a period of time or biographical information.16.Amygdala 杏仁核A part of the brain's limbic system that attaches emotional significance to information and mediates both defensive and aggressive behavior.17.Anal Expulsive PersonalityStemming from the Anal stage, a child who becomes fixated due to over control transfers his or her unresolved anal (or control) issues into characteristics such as cruelty, pushiness, messiness, or disorganization.18.Anal Retentive PersonalityStemming from the Anal stage, a child who becomes fixated due to under control transfershis or her unresolved anal (or control) issues into characteristics such as compulsivity, stinginess, cleanliness, organization, and obstinance.19.Anal StageFreud's second stage of psychosexual development where the primary sexual focus is on the elimination or holding onto feces. The stage is often thought of as representing a child's ability to control his or her own world.20.AnalysisSee Psychoanalysis.21.Analysis of VarianceAn inferential statistical procedure used to test whether or not the means of two or more sets of data are equal to each other.22.ANOV AAnalysis of Variance.23.AnxietyThe physiological and psychological reaction to an expected danger, whether real or imagined.24.Aphasia失语症The impairment of the ability to communicate either through oral or written discourse as a result of brain damage.25.Approach-Approach ConflictThe conflict presented when two opposite but equally appealing choices are available but can not both be obtained.26.Approach-Avoidance ConflictThe conflict presented when the best positive choice will result in a negative outcome as well as positive.27.Arousal Theory唤醒理论The theory stating that we are motivated by our innate desire to maintain an optimal level of arousal.28.Assertive 武断Style of interpersonal interaction where both the needs of the self and others are considered. (As opposed to passive or aggressive)29.AssimilationIncorporating objects, experiences, or information into existing schemas.30.Associations联想The phenomenon in learning that states we are better able to remember information if it is paired with something we are familiar with or otherwise stands out.31.Attachment 依恋The strong bond a child forms with his or her primary caregiver.32.Attribution 归因An idea or belief about the etiology of a certain behavior.33.Attribution TheoryThe theory that argues people look for explanation of behavior, associating either dispositional (internal) attributes or situational (external) attributes.34.Authoritarian [parents] 独裁Parenting style focused on excessive rules, rigid belief systems, and the expectation of unquestioned obedience.35.Autonomic Nervous System 植物神经系统Part of the peripheral周围神经系统nervous system that regulates the involuntary actions of the body (e.g., breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, pupil dilation). Also regulates the Fight or Flight Phenomenon.36.Availability Heuristic 启发A rule of thumb stating that information more readily available in our memory is more important than information not as easily accessible.37.Aversion厌恶TherapyA type of behavioral treatment where an aversive stimuli is paired with a negative behavior in hopes that the behavior will change in the future to avoid the aversive stimuli.38.Avoidance-Avoidance ConflictThe conflict where both possible choices have an equal negative outcome.39.Axon轴突The tail-like part of the neuron through which information exits the cell.40.Behavior Modification矫正The application of behavioral theory to change a specific behavior.41.Behavior TherapyThe application of behavioral theory (e.g. conditioning, reinforcement) in the treatment of mental illness.42.BehaviorismThe school of psychology founded on the premise前提that behavior is measurable and can be changed through the application of various behavioral principles.43.Bell-Shaped Curve 钟型曲线Also referred to as a normal distribution or normal curve, a bell-shaped curve is a perfect mesokurtic curve where the mean, median, and mode are equal.44.Beta (uppercase)Abbreviation for Power in statistical results. See Type II Error. (b)45.Binocular Cues 双眼线索Visual cues (convergence and retinal disparity) that require both eyes to perceive distance (as opposed to monocular cues)46.BisexualityBeing attracted to or aroused by members of both genders. See Sexual Orientation.47.Blind StudyAs a way to avoid the placebo effect安慰剂效应in research, this type of study is designed without the subject's knowledge of the anticipated results and sometimes even the nature of the study. The subjects are said to be 'blind' to the expected results.48.Broca’s Aphasia失语症An aphasia associated with damage to the Broca's area of the brain, demonstrated by the impairment in producing understandable speech.49.Burnout精疲力尽Changes in thoughts, emotions, and behavior as a result of extended job stress and unrewarded repetition of duties. Burnout is seen as extreme dissatisfaction, pessimism, lowered job satisfaction, and a desire to quit.50.Canonical Correlation典型相关A correlational technique used when there are two or more X and two or more Y. (Example: The correlation between (age and sex) and (income and life satisfaction)51.Castration Anxiety阉割焦虑According to Freud's Stages of Psychosexual Development, the fear a boy in the phallic stage experiences due to a fear that his father will render him powerless if his father finds out about his attraction toward his mother.52.Catharsis宣泄The emotional release associated with the expression of unconscious conflicts.53.CEEB ScoreA standard score that sets the mean to five-hundred and standard deviation to one-hundred. Used on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)54.Cell BodyThe main part of a neuron where the information is processed.55.Central Nervous SystemThe brain and the spinal cord脊髓.56.Central Tendency 集中趋势A statistical measurement attempting to depict the average score in a distribution (see mean, median, and/or mode)57.Centration 自我中心A young child's tendency to focus only on his or her own perspective of a specific object anda failure to understand that others may see things differently.58.Cerebellum 小脑Part of the brain associated with balance, smooth movement, and posture.59.Cerebral HemispheresThe two halves of the brain (right and left)60.Chemical ImbalanceA generic term for the idea that chemical in the brain are either too scarce or too abundant resulting in or contributing to a mental disorder such as schizophrenia精神分裂or bipolar disorder躁狂. Others believe that the disorder precedes the imbalance, suggesting that a change in mood, for example, changes our chemicals rather than the chemical changing our mood.61.Chunk 组块A unit of information used in memory62.ChunkingCombining smaller units of measurement or chunks into larger chunks. (e.g., a seven chunk phone number such as 5-5-5-1-2-1-2 becomes a five chunk number such as 5-5-5-12-12) 63.Classical ConditioningThe behavioral technique of pairing a naturally occurring stimulus and response chain with a different stimulus in order to produce a response which is not naturally occurring.64.Client Centered TherapyA humanistic therapy based on Carl Roger's beliefs that an individual has an unlimited capacity for psychological growth and will continue to grow unless barriers are placed in the way.65.Coefficient of Determination 决定系数The statistic or number determined by squaring the correlation coefficient系数. Represents the amount of variance accounted for by that correlation.66.Coercive Power 强制力Power derived through the ability to punish.67.CognitionThe process of receiving, processing, storing, and using information.68.Cognitive Behavioral TherapyTreatment involving the combination of behaviorism (based on the theories of learning) and cognitive therapy (based on the theory that our cognitions or thoughts control a large portion of our behaviors).69.Cognitive Dissonance失调the realization of contradictions in one's own attitudes and behaviors.70.Cognitive PsychologyThe sub-field of psychology associated with information processing and the role it plays in emotion, behavior, and physiology.71.Cognitive TherapyThe treatment approach based on the theory that our cognitions or thoughts control a large part of our behaviors and emotions. Therefore, changing the way we think can result in positive changes in the way we act and feel.72.Cohort EffectsThe effects of being born and raised in a particular time or situation where all other members of your group has similar experiences that make your group unique from other groups73.Collective UnconsciousAccording to Jung, the content of the unconscious mind that is passed down from generation to generation in all humans.pulsionThe physical act resulting from an obsession. Typically a compulsive act is done in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort created by an obsession.75.Concrete Operational Stage 具体运算According to Piaget, the stage of cognitive development where a child between the ages of 7 and 12 begins thinking more globally and outside of the self but is still deficient不足in abstract thought.76.Concurrent Validity 同时效度A measurements ability to correlate or vary directly with an accepted measure of the same construct77.Conditioned ResponseThe response in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally occurring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occurring chain.78.Conditioned StimulusThe stimulus in a stimulus-response chain that is not naturally occurring, but rather has been learned through its pairing with a naturally occurring chain.79.ConditioningThe process of learning new behaviors or responses as a result of their consequences.80.Confidence Interval 置信区间The level of certainty that the true score falls within a specific range. The smaller the range the less the certainty.81.Conformity从众Changing your attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, or behaviors in order to be more consistent withothers.82.ConfoundAny variable that is not part of a research study but still has an effect on the research results 83.ConscienceAccording to Freud, the restriction demanded by the superego.84.ConsciousnessAwareness of yourself and the world around you.85.ConservationThe understanding, typically achieved in later childhood, that matter remains the same even when the shape changes ( i.e., a pound of clay is still a pound of clay whether it is rolled in a ball or pounded flat).86.ConsolidationThe physiological changes in the brain associated with memory storage.87.Consolidation FailureThe failure to store information in memory.88.ConstantAny variable that remains the same throughout a study.89.ConstructAny variable that can not be directly observed but rather is measured through indirect methods. (Examples: intelligence, motivation)90.Construct ValidityThe general validity of a measuring device. Construct validity answers the question of whether or not the measuring device actually measures the construct under question.91.Content ValidityA measurement device’s ability to be generalized to the entire content of what is being measured.92.Context Dependent MemoryThe theory that information learned in a particular situation or place is better remembered when in that same situation or place.93.Continuous ReinforcementThe application of reinforcement every time a specific behavior occurs.94.Control GroupThe group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable.95.ConvergenceThe binocular cue to distance referring to the fact that the closer an object, the more inward our eyes need to turn in order to focus96.Convergent ThinkingLogical and conventional thought leading to a single answer.97.Conversion DisorderA somatoform disorder where the individual experiences a loss of sensation or function due to a psychological belief (e.g., paralysis, blindness, deafness).98.Correlated SampleSample data that is related to each other.99.CorrelationThe degree to which two or more variables a related to each other. A correlation refers to the direction that the variables move and does not necessarily represent cause and effect. (Example: height and weight are correlated. As one increases, the other tends to increase as well)100.Correlation CoefficientThe statistic or number representing the degree to which two or more variables are related. Often abbreviated 'r.'101.Counter conditioningThe use of conditioning to eliminate a previously conditioned response. The conditioned stimulus (CS) is repaired with a different unconditioned stimulus (UCS) to eventually elicit a new conditioned response (CR)102.Critical PeriodA time frame deemed highly important in developing in a healthy manner; can be physically, emotionally, behaviorally, or cognitively.103.Critical ValueThe value of a statistic required in order to consider the results significant.104.Cross Sectional StudyA research study that examines the effects of development (maturation) by examining different subjects at various ages105.Cross Sequential StudyA research study that examines the effects of development (maturation) by combining longitudinal and cross sectional studies106.CrowdingThe psychological and psychological response to the belief that there are too many people in a specified area.107.Crystallized IntelligenceThe part of intelligence which involves the acquisition, as opposed to the use, of information 108.DecayTheory which states that memory fades and/or disappears over time if it is not used or accessed.109.Declarative MemoryThe part of long-term memory where factual information is stored, such as mathematical formulas, vocabulary, and life events.110.Deductive ReasoningDecision making process in which ideas are processed from the general to the specific. 111.Defenses (Defense Mechanisms)Psychological forces which prevent undesirable or inappropriate impulses from entering consciousness (e.g., forgetting responsibilities that we really didn't want to do, projecting anger onto a spouse as opposed to your boss). Also called Defense Mechanisms, Defense System, or Ego Defenses.112.Degrees of FreedomThe numbers of individual scores that can vary without changing the sample mean. Statistically written as 'N-1' where N represents the number of subjects.113.DelusionFalse belief system (e.g., believing you are Napoleon, have magical powers, or the false belief that others are 'out to get you.').114.DendritesExtensions of the cell body of a neuron responsible for receiving incoming neurotransmitters.115.Dependent VariableThe variable in an experiment that is measured; the outcome of an experiment.116.Descriptive StatisticsThe branch of statistics that focuses on describing in numerical format what is happening now within a population. Descriptive statistics require that all subjects in the population (the entire class, all males in a school, all professors) be tested.117.Developmental PsychologyThe area of psychology focused on how children grow psychologically to become who they are as adults.118.Deviation IQ ScoreA standard score used for reporting IQ scores where the mean is set to 100 and standard deviation to 15119.Difference ThresholdThe smallest change in perception which is noticeable at least 50% of the time.120.DiscriminationIn behavioral theory, the learned ability to differentiate between two similar objects or situations.121.DisorientationInability to recognize or be aware of who we are (person), what we are doing (situation), the time and date (time), or where we are in relation to our environment (place). To be considered a problem, it must be consistent, result in difficulty functioning, and not due to forgetting or being lost.122.DisplacementThe pushing out of older information in short term memory to make room for new information.123.Dispositional AttributeAn attribute explained or interpreted as being caused by internal influences.124.DissociationA separation from the self, with the most severe resulting in Dissociative Identity Disorder. Most of us experience this in very mild forms such as when we are driving long distance and lose time or find ourselves day dreaming longer than we thought.125.DistinctivenessThe phenomenon in memory that states we are better able to remember information if it is distinctive or different from other information.126.Divergent ThinkingThe ability to use previously gained information to debate or discuss issues which have no agreed upon definitive resolution.127.DopamineA neurotransmitter associated with movement, attention and learning and the brain's pleasure and reward system.128.Dopamine HypothesisThe theory that schizophrenia is caused by an excess amount of dopamine in the brain. Research has found that medication to reduce dopamine can reduce the positive symptoms ofschizophrenia.129.Double Blind StudyResearch method in which both the subjects and the experimenter are unaware or 'blind' to the anticipated results.130.DriveAn internal motivation to fulfill a need or reduce the negative aspects of an unpleasant situation.131.Drug TherapyThe use of medication to treat a mental illness.132.EgoIn Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego).133.EgocentricThe thinking in the preoperational stage of cognitive development where children believe everyone sees the world fro the same perspective as he or she does.134.Ego Defense MechanismsSee Defenses135.Ego IdealIn psychoanalytic thought, this is the ideal or desired behavior of the ego according to the superego.136.Ellis, AlbertA cognitive Psychologist who developed the concept of Rational-Emotive Therapy.137.EmotionFeelings about a situation, person, or objects that involves changes in physiological arousal and cognitions.138.Emotional Intelligence (EQ)The awareness of and ability to manage one's emotions in a healthy and productive manner. 139.EncodingThe transformation of information to be stored in memory.140.EndorphinsA neurotransmitter involved in pain relief, and feelings of pleasure and contentedness. 141.EpinephrineA neurotransmitter involved in energy and glucose metabolism. Too little has been associated with depression.142.Episodic MemorySubcategory of Declarative memory where information regarding life events are stored. 143.Equal IntervalsCharacteristic of a scale of measurement where the individual units possess the qualities of equal intervals. The difference between each unit of measurement is exactly the same. 144.Equity TheoryThe theory that argues a couple must see each other as contributing and benefiting equally to the relationship for them both to feel comfortable in the relationship.145.ErrorThe amount of other variables (aside from what you are measuring) that can impact theobserved score146.Error LevelThe level of accepted error within a given set of data. The greater the error level, the wider the confidence interval.147.Escape ConditioningOperant conditioning based on the idea that a behavior is more likely to be repeated if it results in the cessation of a negative event.148.EstimateAn idea about a characteristic of a population based on sample data (e.g., the sample mean IQ was 102 so we estimate that the population mean IQ is also 102)149.EtaA correlational technique used primarily for non-linear relationships. (Example, income and age are positively correlated until older age at which point the correlation reverses itself to some extent.150.EtiologyCausal relationships of diseases; theories regarding how the specific disease or disorder began.151.Experimental GroupIn research, the group of subjects who receive the independent variable.152.Experimental MethodResearch method using random assignment of subjects and the manipulation of variables in order to determine cause and effect.153.Experimenter BiasErrors in a research study due to the predisposed notions or beliefs of the experimenter. 154.Expert PowerPower derived through advanced knowledge or experience in a particular subject.155.Ex-Post-Facto (After the Fact) ResearchResearch method in which the independent variable is administered prior to the study without the researcher’s control and its effects are investigated afterward156.External Locus of ControlThe belief that the environment has more control over life circumstances than the individual does.157.External ValidityThe extent to which the data collected from a sample can be generalized to the entire population.158.ExtinctionThe reduction and eventual disappearance of a learned or conditioned response after it is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus-response chain.159.Extrinsic MotivationThe desire or push to perform a certain behavior based on the potential external rewards that may be received as a result.160.ExtroversionPersonality style where the individual prefers outward and group activity as opposed to inward and individual activity.161.Factor AnalysisA statistical technique used to determine the number of components in a set of data. Thesecomponents are then named according to their characteristics allowing a researcher to break down information into statistical groups.162.Factorial ANOV AAn Analysis of Variance used when there are two or more independent variables. When there are two, the ANOV A is called a Two-Way ANOV A, three independent variables would use a Three-Way ANOV A, etc.163.Family TherapyTreatment involving family members which seeks to change the unhealthy familial patterns and interactions.164.FixationIn Freud's theory of psychosexual development, the failure to complete a stage successfully which results in a continuation of that stage into later adulthood.165.Fixed Interval ScheduleA schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specific period of time.166.Fixed Ratio ScheduleA schedule in which the reinforcement is presented after a specific number of responses. 167.FetishA condition in which arousal and/or sexual gratification is attained through inanimate objects (shoes, pantyhose) or non-sexual body parts (feet, hair). Is considered a problem when the object is needed in order to obtain arousal or gratification and the individual can not can not complete a sexual act without this object present.168.Frequency DistributionA table showing the number of occurrences for each score169.Frequency EffectThe phenomenon in memory which states that we tend to remember information better if it is repeated.170.Freud, SigmundDr. Freud is often referred to as the father of clinical psychology. His extensive theory of personality development (psychoanalytical theory) is the cornerstone for modern psychological thought, and consists of (1) the psychosexual stages of development, (2) the structural model of personality (id, ego, superego), and (3) levels of consciousness (conscious, subconscious, and unconscious). See Psychoanalysis.171.FloodingA behavioral technique used to treat phobias in which the client is presented with the feared stimulus until the associated anxiety disappears.172.Fluid IntelligenceAccording to Cattell, the part of intelligence which involves the use, as opposed to the acquisition, of information.173.Formal Operational StagePavlov's fourth and final stage of cognitive development where thinking becomes more abstract.174.FramingPresenting information either positively or negatively in order to change the influence is has on an individual or group.175.Free AssociationThe psychoanalytic technique of allowing a patient to talk without direction or input in orderto analyze current issues of the client.176.Frontal LobeThe lobe at the front of the brain associated with movement, speech, and impulsive behavior. 177.FrustrationThe feelings, thoughts, and behaviors associated with not achieving a particular goal or the belief that a goal has been prematurely interrupted.178.Frustration-Aggression HypothesisThe theory arguing that aggression is the natural reaction to frustration.179.FunctionalismThe school of thought popular in the 19th century emphasizing conscious experiences as a precursor to behavior180.Fundamental Attribution ErrorThe tendency to over estimate the internal attributes of another person's actions.181.GGeneral intelligence. Typically compared to s which represents specific intelligences. G is the culmination of all possible s's.182.GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid)A neurotransmitter involved in the inhibition of anxiety and excitation. Too little GABA has been associated with anxiety disorders.183.Gender IdentityThe internal sense of being either male or female. Usually congruent with biological gender, but not always as in Gender Identity Disorder.184.Gender RoleThe accepted behaviors, thoughts, and emotions of a specific gender based upon the views of a particular society or culture.185.Gender TypingThe process of developing the behaviors, thoughts, and emotions associated with a particular gender.186.GeneralizationThe tendency to associate stimuli, and therefore respond similarly to, due to their closeness on some variable such as size, shape, color, or meaning.187.Genital StageFreud's final stage of psychosexual development where healthy sexual development is defined as attraction to a same aged, opposite sexed peer.188.GestaltGerman word typically translated as meaning 'whole' or 'form.'189.Gestalt TherapyTreatment focusing on the awareness and understanding of one's feelings.190.Grouped Frequency DistributionA table showing the number of occurrences for a grouping of scores. Used a lot in educational settings where a score of 90 to 100 may be grouped as an A, a score of 80 to 90 may be grouped as a B, etc.191.Group PolarizationThe tendency for members of a cohesive group to make more extreme decisions due to the lack of opposing views.192.Group Therapy。