Hello friend, my name is Lia, and it's been three years that I am a psychology student at Cegep Ahuntsic. I am supposed to graduate this year. I am very excited to finish this chapter. This glossary is made to help everyone in my program. It can allow students to improve their psychology vocabulary in English by learning new terms, meanings, and pronunciations. This glossary contains twenty frequently use words in the field.
Anorexia nervosa
An eating disorder that involves severe calorie restriction and often a low body weight. It’s a complex condition that has mental, behavioral and physical symptoms
Example: In the treatment of ANOREXIA NERVOSA patients are encouraged to understand their thought and behaviour patterns and try to change any behaviours that are harmful or not helpful.
en: Anorexie mentale
attitude
noun
An enduring, learning predisposition to behave in a consistent way toward a given class of objects, events, or people.
Example: I had to change my attitude because my boss said that I was rude with the customer
en: Attitude
attribution
noun
The process by which people use information to make inferences about the causes of behavior or events.
Example: our entire self at fault for the act, or "global ATTRIBUTION rather than just an aspect of ourselves
en: Attribution
Behaviorism
noun
The theory that human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning, without appeal to thoughts or feelings, and that some mental conditions are best treated by altering behavior patterns.
Example: An example of behaviorism is when teachers reward their class or certain students with a party or special treat at the end of the week for good behavior throughout the week.
en: Behaviorisme
bipolar disorder
noun
a serious mental illness that causes unusual shifts in mood, ranging from extreme highs (mania or “manic” episodes) to lows (depression or “depressive” episode)
Example: My patient has a bipolar disorder
en: trouble bipolaire
Causality
noun
the relationship between an event and a second event, where the second event is understood as a consequence of the first.
Example: The relationship between alcohol consumption and avoidance coping is a complex one, with the direction of CAUSALITY currently unknown.
en: causalité
child development
noun
As children grow, they develop the skills and behaviors they need to learn about the world around them
Example: This coupled with the numerous other erroneous police procedures, highlights the need for the police to be made aware of certain aspects of CHILD DEVELOPMENT and ways in which to elicit more accurate testimonies.
en: développement de l'enfant
clinical psychologist
noun
an expert or specialist in the branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness and psychological problems.
Example: I am finishing my baccalaureate to become a clinical psychologist
en: psychologue clinicien
cognitive dissonance
noun
the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change.
Example: Aronson and Mills (1959, cited in Brown 1988) drew on Festinger's COGNITIVE DISSONANCE theory to claim that the more severe an initiation to a group, the higher the members' evaluations of that group are after joining.
en: dissonance cognitive
cohort
noun
Group of people born a few years apart and exposed to the same historical and social conditions
Example: I know everyone of my cohort
en: cohorte
consolability
adjective
Consolability. Relaxed and at ease. Can be distracted or reassured by physical comfort (e.g. touching and hugging) or with conversation.
en: consolabilité
consultation
noun
A meeting of physicians to evaluate a patient's case and treatment
Example: I have a consultation tomorrow
en: consultation
coping
noun
Expending conscious effort to solve personal and interpersonal problems, and seeking to master, minimize or tolerate stress or conflict.
Example: Further research could investigate whether high levels of alcohol consumption avoidance COPING significantly impact academic achievement.
en: resilience
dependance
noun
the real need of the organism, or something that individuals can not provide for themselves
Example: she has developed a deep dependence on him
en: dépendance
egocentrism
noun
an inability on the part of a child to see any point of view other than his or her own
Example: This has implications for children who do not have the opportunity to socialise at an early age as may not completely abolish the notion of EGOCENTRISM.
en: égocentrisme
emotion
noun
An affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate is experienced.
Example: I have trouble understanding my emotions
en: émotion
empathic listening
adjective
A way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding and trust.
Example: my friend demonstrates empathic listening
en: écoute empathique
experimental method
adjective
Scientific method of enquiry that emphasizes the control, observation, and the measurement of variables in research.
Example: An experimental method is when a group will receive the new medicine and one group will receive a placebo. The effects on both groups are studied and conclusions are drawn.
en: méthode expérimentale
ideal self
adjective
An evolving construct which represents the goals and aspirations of an individual.
Example: How do I find my ideal self?
en: Soi idéal
interpersonal relationship
noun
Relations between persons
Example: I give a lot of importance to my interpersonal relationships