Social Science Glossary

20 Psychology terms

assessment
noun
The evaluation or estimation of the nature, quality, or ability of someone or something.
Example: The assessment of educational needs.
fr: évaluation
Logo of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
behaviour
noun
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.
Example: The family home, for example, is the one place where adults may indulge in "childish" BEHAVIOUR (perhaps with and through their own children) without incurring moral disapproval.
fr: comportement
Two House Sparrows where a female House Sparrow is feeding its young during spring breeding season in Kathmandu, Nepal.
brain
noun
An organ of soft nervous tissue contained in the skull of vertebrates, functioning as the coordinating center of sensation and intellectual and nervous activity.
Example: A brain tumor.
fr: cerveau
The main anatomical regions of the vertebrate brain, shown for shark and human. The same parts are present, but they differ greatly in size and shape.
cognitive
adjective
The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.
Example: Learning how to do something new can have many cognitive benefits.
fr: cognitif
A cognitive model, as illustrated by Robert Fludd (1619)
conscious
adjective
Aware of and responding to one's surroundings; awake.
Example: We are conscious of the extent of the problem.
fr: consciente
Conscious Frequencies Logo
counseling
noun
The provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties, especially by a professional.
Example: Results indicated that there was a repressive defensive trend among COUNSELING psychology students.
fr: conseils
icon of talking therapy, counseling, psychotherapy or discussion
discipline
noun
To punish or penalize for the sake of enforcing obedience and perfecting moral character.
Example: A lack of proper parental and school discipline.
fr: la discipline
Effective Discipline Strategies for Everyone
health
noun
The state of being free from illness or injury.
Example: He was restored to health.
fr: santé
Icon representing men's health. Staff of Hermes (in blue) placed in front of the Mars symbol (in black)
hospital
noun
An institution providing medical and surgical treatment and nursing care for sick or injured people.
Example: But they remain "doctors" or more anonymously still, "the HOSPITAL". " The doctor" remains, for most people, their "own" general practitioner.
fr: hôpital
Iconographic Collections. Keywords: E. Walker; Florence Nightingale; W.J. Simpson
laboratory
noun
A room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
Example: Studies on laboratory rats.
fr: laboratoire
Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), Department of Genetics, Carnegie Institution at Cold Spring Harbor, New York, shown in her laboratory. This photograph was distributed when McClintock received the American Association of University Women Achievement Award in 19
medical
adjective
Relating to the science of medicine, or to the treatment of illness and injuries.
Example: He was transferred for further treatment to a medical ward.
fr: médical
Opening of anatomical theater at medical faculty at Bogomolets National Medical University circa 1853.
mental health
noun
A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Example: All this pressure seems to be affecting his mental health.
fr: santé mentale
Good mental health icon
method
noun
A particular form of procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one.
Example: A method for software maintenance.
fr: méthode
The scientific method is often represented as an ongoing process. This diagram represents one variant, and there are many others.
observation
noun
The action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information.
Example: She was brought into the hospital for observation.
fr: observation
Observation of the stars, miniature from De Proprietatibus Rerum by Bartholomeus Anglicus, XV century
perception
The ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
Example: As for truth, Epicurus, rather like Hobbes centuries later, took sense - PERCEPTION to be simply the effect of objects on our material souls.
fr: la perception
The 1st image shows how by not using all of our senses fully, we only receive/perceive based on our actions. The 2nd shows that by fully opening up our senses that we can receive much more information, and as a result perceive more and realise that less action
psychological
adjective
Affecting, or arising in the mind; related to the mental and emotional state of a person.
Example: The victim had sustained physical and psychological damage.
fr: psychologique
This photo is of British psychotherapist Paul Newham using Expressive Therapy to help a client give vocal expression to characters and psychological selves.
research
noun
The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions.
Example: We are fighting meningitis by raising money for medical research.
fr: rechercher
A panorama of a research room taken at the New York Public Library
social
adjective
Relating to society or its organization.
Example: Alcoholism is recognized as a major social problem.
fr: sociale
Online social interaction.
testing
verb
Measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice.
Example: This range has not been tested on animals.
fr: essai
Getting Started With Testing in Python
treatment
noun
The manner in which someone behaves toward or deals with someone or something.
Example: The patient was given repeated treatments as required.
fr: traitement
Beauty Treatment Publicity Caption: Mud pack facial Beauty Treatment at Ward Baths, Rotorua.