D's in Glossary

Question 1

debriefing

Answer 1

the post-experimental explanation of a study, including its purpose and any deceptions, to its participants

Question 2

deep processing

Answer 2

encoding semantically, based on the meaning of the words; tends to yield the best retention

Question 3

defense mechanisms

Answer 3

in psychoanalytic theory, the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality

Question 4

deindividuation

Answer 4

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

Question 5

deja vu

Answer 5

that eerie sense of “I’ve experienced this before”

Question 6

delta waves

Answer 6

the large, slow brain waves associated with deep sleep

Question 7

delusions

Answer 7

false beliefs that may accompany psychotic disorders

Question 8

dendrites

Answer 8

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

Question 9

dependent variable

Answer 9

the outcome factor; the variable that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable.

Question 10

depressants

Answer 10

drugs that reduce neural activity and slow body functions

Question 11

depth perception

Answer 11

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

Question 12

developmental psychology

Answer 12

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

Question 13

difference threshold

Answer 13

the minimum difference between two stimuli required for detection 50% of the time.

Question 14

discrimination (classical conditioning)

Answer 14

the learned ability to distinguish between a conditioned stimulus and stimuli that do not signal an unconditioned stimulus

Question 15

discrimination

Answer 15

unjustifiable negative behavior toward a group and its members

Question 16

dissociation

Answer 16

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

Question 17

dissociative disorders

Answer 17

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

Question 18

dissociate identity disorder (DID)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

DNA (deoxyribonculeic acid)

Answer 19

a complex molecule containing the genetic info that makes up the chromosomes

Question 20

double-blind procedure

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

down syndrome

Answer 21

a condition of mild to severe intellectual disability and associated physical disorders caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21

Question 22

`dream

Answer 22

a sequence of images, emotions, and thoughts passing through a sleeping person’s mind.

Question 23

drive-reduction theory

Answer 23

the idea that a physiological need creates an aroused tension state that motivates an organism to satisfy the need

Question 24

DSM-5

Answer 24

a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.

Question 25

dual processing

Answer 25

the principle that info is often simultaneously processed on separate conscious and unconscious tracks