An American Indian term for a man who prefers the dress and style of life of a woman. Sometimes used by CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS for a transvestite.

A concept proposed by the American social anthropologist Abraham Kardiner that the patterns of PERSONALITY characteristics will be similar for most people of a given society because of their similar childhood experiences. According to Kardiner, these people therefore share unconsciously-held unquestioned assumptions about life.

An attempt to coerce someone into radically changing their beliefs or behaviour by using psychological manipulation.

The part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM contained within the skull. It is the most complex and least understood part of the human body. Because of the brain’s organising role in all human BEHAVIOUR, it is sometimes compared to a central computer which stores, retrieves and utilises information. However, the brain is infinitely more complex and powerful than that. In an important sense, our brain is what makes us human. All the limitless forms of human behaviour are a direct result of the brain’s capacity.

A form of PSYCHOTHERAPY based on the assumptions of BEHAVIOURISM and using behaviourist means to eliminate undesirable behaviour. Its objective is therefore to remove the overt symptoms of the patient’s difficulties. See also AVERSION THERAPY. Compare with CLIENT-CENTRED THERAPY and PSYCHOANALYSIS.

See COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION.

A PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUE for disturbed children, using cartoons about a family of dogs (with a central character called Blacky). The cartoons portray relationships found in human families. The child is asked to make up stories about the cartoons and these are scanned for evidence of emotional problems.

Ancient Greek term for the purging of EMOTIONS by seeing them enacted on the stage. In PSYCHOTHERAPY (particularly PSYCHOANALYSIS), it is used generally to describe the release of emotional tension when a conflict is overcome or an insight achieved. It is used in literature to describe emotional relief in general.

Caused by having to choose between two desirable and conflicting objects or goals. May lead to facillitation and great stress.

In SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, it refers to the free generation of ideas by the members of a group for the purpose of solving a specific problem.