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catatonic schizophrenia

in DSM–IV–TR, a relatively rare subtype of schizophrenia characterized by abnormal motor activity, specifically motor immobility (see catalepsy; catatonic stupor) or excessive motor activity (see catatonic excitement). Other common features include extreme negativism (apparently motiveless resistance to all instructions or maintenance of a rigid posture against attempts to be moved) or mutism; peculiarities of voluntary movement, such as posturing or stereotyped movements; and echolalia or echopraxia. This subtype has been eliminated from DSM–5.

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Psychology term of the day

October 18th 2024

social representation

social representation

a system, model, or code for unambiguously naming and organizing values, ideas, and conduct, which enables communication and social exchange (i.e., at the levels of language and behavior) among members of a particular group or community. [term coined and theory elaborated by Romanian-born French psychologist Serge Moscovici (1925–  )]