A form of PSYCHOTHERAPY, most closely related to BEHAVIOUR THERAPY, developed by the American psychologist Albert Ellis. It attempts to meet irrational ideas head- on where they appear to be causing emotional and behavioural disorders and to pressure the patient into exchanging them for more rational ideas.

In PSYCHOANALYSIS, the EGO’S modification of the PLEASURE PRINCIPLE that governs the ID. It is the ego’s way of striking a balance between what the id wants and what is possible, given the realities of the external environment.

A condition of serious mental retardation, thought to be hereditary, caused by the failure of the body to metabolise phenylalanine.

The branch of PSYCHOLOGY that deals with paranormal phenomena as observed by extrasensory perception. The task of parapsychology is to expand the known methods and principles of psychology to include an explanation of paranormal phenomena. From 1927 to 1965 J.B.Rhine at Duke University. North Carolina, directed a psychological research laboratory that attempted systematically to study these phenomena. The main criticism of this work is that EXPERIMENTS pointing to the existence of paranormal phenomena could not be replicated outside of Rhine’s lab. 

 Also, see REPLICATION.

Refers to the effects of mental processes on the actions of the muscles.

One of the most widely used concepts in COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY. They have been called ‘the language of the mind’ and are usually considered to be abstract linguistic symbols that together form a universal human code in which language and thought processes occur regardless of the native tongue actually used.

An American equivalent of the British GALVANIC SKIN RESPONSE.

The third level of the American psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg’s STAGE THEORY of moral development. At this level moral BEHAVIOUR is governed neither by fear nor convention but by a self-chosen, consciously held system of rational ethical principles. Not everyone achieves this stage of development.

Literally,’close distant’. Usually refers to the process of maturation in humans and animals where the sequence of physical development proceeds from the centre of the body towards the periphery. See CEPHALOCAUDAL.

Those colours which are used in combination to produce any other hue: blue, yellow, red. black and white.