Guillain–Barré syndrome

an acute, progressive, demyelinating type of peripheral neuropathy that starts with muscular weakness and loss of normal sensation in the extremities, spreading inward as the disease progresses. The condition often begins in the feet and ascends toward the head. These symptoms can increase in intensity until the muscles cannot be used at all and the individual is almost totally paralyzed, in which case the disorder is life threatening. Because the syndrome often develops after an infection, it may result from an immune reaction. [Georges Guillain (1876–1961) and Jean Barré (1880–1967), French neurologists]

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Psychology term of the day

July 27th 2024

object constancy

1. in object relations theory, the ability of an infant to maintain an attachment that is relatively independent of gratification or frustration, based on a cognitive capacity to conceive of a mother who exists when she is out of sight and who has positive attributes when she is unsatisfying. Thus, an infant becomes attached to the mother herself rather than to her tension-reducing ministrations; she comes to exist continuously for the infant and not only during instances of need satisfaction. This investment by an infant in a specific libidinal object indicates that he or she no longer finds people to be interchangeable.

2. see perceptual constancy.