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amphetamine abuse

in DSM–IV–TR, a pattern of use of amphetamines or amphetamine-like substances that is marked by recurrent significant adverse consequences related to the repeated ingestion of these substances. This diagnosis is preempted by the diagnosis of amphetamine dependence: If the criteria for amphetamine abuse and amphetamine dependence are both met, only the latter diagnosis is given. In DSM–5, however, both have been combined into one category, stimulant use disorder, and are no longer considered distinct diagnoses. See also substance abuse.

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Psychology term of the day

January 18th 2025

law of contrast

law of contrast

a principle of association stating that opposites are reminders of one another: encountering or thinking about one (e.g., a snow-covered field) tends to bring to mind the other (e.g., a sunny beach). Initially proposed as a distinct, essential concept in associationism, the law of contrast later came to be viewed as a special case of the law of contiguity.