Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


abusive punishment

use of excessive physical force to discipline a child that results in bodily injury, including noticeable marks, bruises, cuts, or welts; such punishment includes beating, burning, or tying up a child. Compare corporal punishment.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 27th 2024

process–reactive

process–reactive

adj. relating to a disease model of schizophrenia based on the distinction between gradual and acute onset of symptoms. Process schizophrenia is marked by a long-term gradual deterioration before the disease is manifest, whereas reactive schizophrenia is associated with a rapid onset of symptoms after a relatively normal premorbid period.