D

Question 1

In psychoanalytic theory the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

Answer 1

defense mechanism

Question 2

the loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.

Answer 2

deinduvidualation

Question 3

that eerie sense that “1’ve experienced this before.” Cues from the current situation may subconsciously trigger retrieval of an earlier experience.

Answer 3

deja vu

Question 4

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep.

Answer 4

delta waves

Question 5

false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur, that may accompany psychotic disorders.

Answer 5

delusions

Question 6

the bushy, branching extensions of a neuron that receive messages and conduct impulses toward the cell body

Answer 6

dendrite

Question 7

the experimental factor-in psychology, the behavior or mental process-that is being measured; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Answer 7

dependent variable

Question 8

drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

Answer 8

depressants

Question 9

the ability to see objects in three dimensions although the images that strike the retina are two-dimensional; allows us to judge distance.

Answer 9

depth perception

Question 10

a branch of psychology that studies physical, cognitive, and social change throughout the life span.

Answer 10

developmental psychology

Question 11

the minimum difference that a person can detect between two stimuli. We experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference.

Answer 11

difference threshold

Question 12

in classical conditioning, the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and other stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus.

Answer 12

discrimination

Question 13

defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses toward a more acceptable or less threatening object or person, as when redirecting anger toward a safer outlet.

Answer 13

displacement

Question 14

a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others.

Answer 14

dissociation

Question 15

disorders in which conscious awareness becomes separated (dissociated) from previous memories, thoughts, and feelings

Answer 15

dissociative diorders

Question 16

a rare dissociative disorder in which a person exhibits two or more distinct and alternating personalities

Answer 16

dissociative identity disorder

Question 17

a complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Answer 17

DNA

Question 18

an experimental procedure in which both the research participants and the research staff are ignorant (blind) about whether the research participants have received the treatment or a placebo. Commonly used in drug-evaluation studies.

Answer 18

double-blind procedure

Question 19

a condition of retardation and associated physical disorders caused by an extra chromosome in one’s genetic makeup.

Answer 19

down syndrome

Question 20

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind. Dreams are notable for their hallucinatory imagery, discontinuities, and incongruities, and for the dreamer’s delusional acceptance of the content and later difficulties remembering it.

Answer 20

dream

Question 21

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state (a drive) that motivates an organism to satisfy the need.

Answer 21

drive-reduction theory

Question 22

the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition), a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.

Answer 22

DSM-IV

Question 23

the presumption that mind and body are two distinct entities that interact.

Answer 23

dualism