Category Archives: child development
Adjustment Disorder in Children
Adjustment disorder is a diagnosis used to describe emotionaland/or behavioral disturbances resulting from exposure to a stressor. Diagnosis The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Second Edition (DSM-II) was the first diagnostic manual to include a diagnosis describing symptoms … Continue reading
Adderall
A brand name amphetamine used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Adderall is a stimulant drug which contains an amphetamine. It is used to improve attention span and decrease impulsivity. It is available in two different types: Adderall … Continue reading
Adaptive Behavior
Adaptive behavior can be defined in various ways, the simplest being that it is the performance of daily activities required for personal and social sufficiency. Furthermore, it is how individuals are able to cope with common life demands and how … Continue reading
Active Listening
Active listening entails the listener’s involvement in hearing for intellectual and emotional messages. The listening focus is with what the person is saying, while confirming the accuracy of the content and affect of the message. Active listening involves the intent … Continue reading
Active Exploration
Exploration refers to the act of gathering information about an environment as result of being curious. The discrepant properties of objects and events arouse curiosity (e.g., in the form of a question), and exploratory responses to satisfy this curiosity expose … Continue reading
Active Euthanasia
Active euthanasia occurs when one takes active steps to terminate a patient’s life, such as administering a lethal dose of medication. The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek, literally meaning good death; eu refers to good and thanatos refers … Continue reading
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. AIDS is a viral disease that destroys the body’s ability to fight infection. AIDS is the final stage of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV finds and destroys white blood cells (T cells … Continue reading
Achievement Testing
Achievement testing refers to the practice of using achievement tests to efficiently measure the amount of knowledge and/or level of academic skills an individual has acquired or mastered through the planned instruction that typically occurs in educational settings. The practice … Continue reading
Achievement Motivation
Achievement motivation is the need for excellence and significant accomplishment, despite what rewards may be offered after the achievement has been met. Atkinson and his colleagues formed the concept that achievement motivation stems from two separate needs. One is the … Continue reading
Acetylcholine
A neurotransmitter, C7H17NO3, that is released at the neuromuscular junctions. It has been associated with learning and memory. Acetylcholine (ACh) is one of the first identified neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Similar to electrical signals, neurotransmitters are the means by … Continue reading