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ascending tract

a bundle of nerve fibers that carries sensory inputs through the spinal cord toward the brain. Also called ascending pathway. Compare descending tract.

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Psychology term of the day

May 3rd 2024

behavioral consultation

behavioral consultation

1. indirect problem-solving services provided to an individual or organization by a specialized consultant utilizing behavior theory.

2. in school psychology, a model developed in the 1970s by U.S. educational psychologist John R. Bergan (1931–  ) to address academic, social, or behavioral problems in students. The model combines applied behavior analysis with a step-by-step problem-solving approach to develop interventions and evaluate outcomes. The interventions are provided indirectly by a consulting school psychologist to a consultee—that is, to a teacher or other school professional—who directly applies them to students in need. A widely used adaptation of the model, conjoint behavioral consultation, was developed by U.S. educational psychologists Susan M. Sheridan (1960–  ) and Thomas R. Kratochwill. It engages both teachers and parents collaboratively as consultees in the problem-solving process, with the guidance and support of a consulting school psychologist. See also mental health consultation.