GLOSSARY

Question 1

accuracy

Answer 1

how close a measure relates to the ‘true’ value of the quantity being measured

Question 2

acronym

Answer 2

a pronounceable word formed from the first letters of a group of words

Question 3

acrostic

Answer 3

in relation to a mnemonic, making verbal associations for items to be remembered by constructing a sentence, phrase or other composition using the first letters of the information to be remembered

Question 4

activity scheduling

Answer 4

see behaviour activation

Question 5

acutre stress

Answer 5

stress that lasts for a relatively short time

Question 6

adaptive behaviour

Answer 6

any behaviour that enables the individual to adjust to the environment appropriately and effectively; compare with maladaptive behaviour

Question 7

adrenaline

Answer 7

a hormone secreted during stress; also called epinephrine

Question 8

Advanced Sleep Phase Disorder

Answer 8

a circadian rhythm sleep disorder characterised by a shift of the major sleep episode to an earlier time compared to desired or conventional sleep times, resulting in sleep onset and awakening much earlier than desired and excessive sleepiness; see also circadian rhythm sleep disorder; compare with Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome

Question 9

afferent pathway

Answer 9

a neural pathway that carries information towards the brain or spinal cord (e.g. sensory information); compare with efferent pathway

Question 10

agonist

Answer 10

a chemical agent (e.g. drug) that stimulates neurotransmitter activity; compare with antagonist

Question 11

aim

Answer 11

a statement outlining the purpose of the investigation

Question 12

alarm reaction

Answer 12

the first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary state of shock, then rebounds (counter shock), following initial awareness of a stressor

Question 13

alpha brain wave pattern

Answer 13

associated with a relaxed, calm, internally focussed wakeful state of consciousness, especially if eyes are closed

Question 14

altered state of consciousness

Answer 14

any state of consciousness that is distinctly different from normal waking consciousness or any waking state in terms of level of awareness and experience; compare with normal waking consciousness

Question 15

Alzheimer’s disease

Answer 15

a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by gradual widespread degeneration of brain neurons, progressively causing memory decline, deterioration of cognitive and social skills, and personality changes

Question 16

amygdala

Answer 16

a small structure in the medial temporal lobe, deep within the brain and part of the limbic system; involved in emotional reactions (particularly fear and anger) and formation of a wide variety of emotional memories

Question 17

anecdote

Answer 17

an informal verbal report of an event that has been casually observed

Question 18

antagonist

Answer 18

a chemical agent (e.g. drug) that inhibits neurotransmitter activity; compare with agonist

Question 19

antecedent stimulus

Answer 19

an object or event that precedes a specific behaviour and signals the probable consequence for the behaviour and therefore influences the occurrence of the behaviour

Question 20

anticipatory anxiety

Answer 20

in relation to specific phobia, worry or apprehension about the possibility of being exposed to a phobic stimulus in the future