Terms Starting with "H"

859 terms

H 0

H 0 symbol for null hypothesis.

H 1

H 1 symbol for alternative hypothesis.

H a

H a symbol for alternative hypothesis.

H spread

H spread see interquartile range.

H–R–R plates

H–R–R plates abbreviation for Hardy–Rand–Rittler pseudoisochromatic plates.

Haab’s pupillary reflex

Haab’s pupillary reflex the normal contraction of both pupils when the eyes focus on a bright object in a darkened room. [Otto Haab (1850–1931), Swiss ophthalmologist]

habeas corpus

habeas corpus a writ requiring a court to determine whether there is sufficient cause to hold someone in a correctional or other facility (Latin, literally: “you may have the body”). In the context of forensic psychology, it is typically used to determine whether confinement to a mental institution has been carried out with due process.

habilitation

habilitation n. the process of enhancing the independence, well-being, and level of functioning of an individual with a disability or disorder by providing appropriate resources, such as treatment or training, to enable that person to develop skills and abilities he or she had not had the opportunity to acquire previously. The term is often used specifically to refer to the functional training of children with congenital disabilities, such as congenital visual impairment. Compare rehabilitation.

habit

habit n. a well-learned behavior or automatic sequence of behaviors that is relatively situation specific and over time has become motorically reflexive and independent of motivational or cognitive influence—that is, it is performed with little or no conscious intent. For example, the act of hair twirling may eventually occur without the individual’s conscious awareness. —habitual adj.

habit disorder

habit disorder any repetitive maladaptive behavior that may interfere with social or educational functioning or other important activities.

habit family hierarchy

habit family hierarchy the concept that several different routes to the same goal—or more generally, responses to the same stimulus—are available, each having a particular strength that determines its arrangement in a preferential order and hence its potential for expression. Also called habit hierarchy. [developed by Clark L. Hull]

habit formation

habit formation the process by which, through repetition or conditioning, animals or humans acquire a behavior that becomes regular and increasingly easy to perform.

habit hierarchy

habit hierarchy 1. see habit family hierarchy. 2. the arrangement of simple habits into progressively more complex habit patterns.

habit regression

habit regression the act of returning to a previously discontinued habit or automatic pattern of behavior, often as a result of emotional distress.

habit reversal

habit reversal a technique of behavior therapy in which the client must learn a new, correct response to a stimulus and stop responding to a previously learned cue. Habit reversal is used, for example, to control such unwanted behavior as overeating, smoking, hair pulling (trichotillomania), and nail biting.

habit strength

habit strength a hypothetical construct said to reflect learning strength, which varies with the number of reinforcements, the amount of reinforcement, the interval between stimulus and response, and the interval between response and reinforcement. [proposed in 1943 by Clark L. Hull]

habit tic

habit tic a brief, recurrent movement that is psychogenic in nature, as contrasted with tics of neurological origin. Examples are grimacing, blinking, and repeatedly turning the head to one side.

habit-forming drug

habit-forming drug a drug with abuse potential.

habitability

habitability n. the degree to which a specific environment meets the functional and aesthetic requirements of its occupants. See also environmental design.

habitat

habitat n. the external environment in which an organism lives. Nonhuman animals are assumed to select habitats that provide optimal features for survival and reproduction. An organism’s habitat includes other animal and plant species that are important to it, as well as the physical aspects of the environment, including soil, substrate, and climate.

habituation

habituation n. 1. in general, the process of growing accustomed to a situation or stimulus. 2. the diminished effectiveness of a stimulus in eliciting a response, following repeated exposure to the stimulus. Compare dishabituation. 3. the process of becoming psychologically dependent on the use of a particular drug, such as cocaine, but without the increasing tolerance and physiological dependence that are characteristic of addiction; the preferred term is psychological dependence. 4. the elimination of extraneous responses that interfere with learning, through repetition and practice, a skill.

habitus

habitus n. 1. in social psychology, a person’s view of the world and of his or her place in it, formed through socialization during childhood and reinforced throughout life. 2. the general appearance of the body. 3. a susceptibility to certain types of physical disorders associated with particular somatotypes.

haemo-

Sorry, "haemo" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hair cell

hair cell 1. any of the sensory receptors for hearing, located in the organ of Corti within the cochlea of the inner ear. They respond to vibrations of the basilar membrane via movement of the fine hairlike structures (stereocilia) that protrude from them. In humans, there are 12,000 outer hair cells and 3,500 inner hair cells. Almost all auditory nerve fibers communicate only with inner hair cells. The outer hair cells appear to be capable of movement and may provide amplification of the vibration that stimulates the inner hair cells. 2. any of the sensory receptors for balance, similar in structure to the cochlear hair cells. They are located in the inner ear within the ampullae of the semicircular canals (forming part of the crista) and within the saccule and utricle (forming part of the macula).

hair esthesiometer

hair esthesiometer a device used to measure sensitivity to pressure. See also esthesiometry.

hair follicle

hair follicle the protective casing of the root of a hair. Inside the follicle, the end of the hair shaft is surrounded by a flower-spray ending, one of the basic types of somatosensory receptors. As part of defense behavior, a follicular nerve ending stimulates muscle fibers that contract and cause piloerection.

hair-pulling disorder

hair-pulling disorder see trichotillomania.

halazepam

halazepam n. a benzodiazepine used for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term treatment of insomnia. As with most of the long-acting benzodiazepines, halazepam is metabolized to the active intermediate compound desmethyldiazepam (nordiazepam), which has a very long half-life (and therefore duration of action). This allows halazepam to be taken only once a day but also is associated with its accumulation in older adults and other people with reduced ability to metabolize the long-acting benzodiazepines. U.S. trade name: Paxipam.

Halcion

Halcion n. a trade name for triazolam.

Haldol

Haldol n. a trade name for haloperidol.

half-life

half-life (symbol: t½) n. in pharmacokinetics, the time necessary for the concentration in the blood of an administered drug to fall by 50%. Half-life is a function of the rate of clearance of a drug and its volume of distribution in various body systems; it is expressed by the equation t½ = (0.7 × volume of distribution)/clearance. Clinically, half-life varies among individuals as a result of age, disease states, or concurrent administration of other drugs. Half-life is useful in predicting the duration of effect of a drug and the time required for a drug to reach a state of equilibrium (steady state) in the body—that is, when the amount of drug administered is equal to that excreted. Generally, steady state is predicted to be achieved after 4 to 5 half-lives of a drug; for example, if a drug has a measured half-life of 8 hours (and its dosing schedule remains the same), steady state would be anticipated within 32 to 40 hours.

half-show

half-show n. a form of child psychotherapy in which a psychological problem is presented as a puppet-show drama, which is stopped at a crucial moment. The child is then asked to suggest how the story should end.

halfway house

halfway house a transitional living arrangement for people, such as individuals recovering from alcohol or substance abuse, who have completed treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation center but still require support to assist them in restructuring their lives.

Hallermann–Streiff syndrome

Hallermann–Streiff syndrome a very rare congenital disorder marked by craniofacial anomalies, including a small, beaked nose, small eyes, and low-set ears. In many affected individuals, the skull sutures are slow to close and may remain open into puberty. Short stature and eye problems leading to blindness are common among those with Hallermann–Streiff syndrome. Intellectual disability is present in about 15% of these individuals. [reported in 1948 by Wilhelm Hallermann (1901–1976), German physician, and in 1950 by Enrico Bernardo Streiff (1908–1988), Swiss ophthalmologist]

hallucination

hallucination n. a false sensory perception that has a compelling sense of reality despite the absence of an external stimulus. It may affect any of the senses, but auditory hallucinations and visual hallucinations are most common. Hallucinations are typically a symptom of a psychotic disorder, particularly schizophrenia, but also may result from substance use, neurological abnormalities, and other conditions. It is important to distinguish hallucinations from illusions, which are misinterpretations of real sensory stimuli.

hallucinogen

hallucinogen n. a substance capable of producing a sensory effect (visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, or tactile) in the absence of an actual stimulus. Because they produce alterations in perception, cognition, and mood, hallucinogens are also called psychedelic drugs or psychedelics (from the Greek, meaning “mind-manifesting”). They are a group of heterogeneous compounds, many of which are naturally occurring; others are produced synthetically. Many hallucinogens are structurally similar to one of several neurotransmitters, which may be used as a mechanism of categorization. For example, serotonin-like hallucinogens include the indolealkylamines, exemplified by lysergic acid diethylamide (see LSD), psilocin, DMT, DET, and bufotenin; catecholamine-like hallucinogens include the phenylethylamines and their derivatives, such as mescaline, DOM, MDA, and MDMA. Both classes in general produce visual hallucinations via activity on subtypes of serotonin receptors. Other hallucinogens include PCP and various natural substances, including ayahuasca. —hallucinogenic adj.

hallucinogen abuse

hallucinogen abuse in DSM–IV–TR, a pattern of drug use marked by recurrent significant adverse consequences related to the repeated ingestion of hallucinogens. This diagnosis is preempted by the diagnosis of hallucinogen dependence: If the criteria for hallucinogen abuse and hallucinogen dependence are both met, only the latter diagnosis is given. In DSM–5, however, both have been combined into single “use disorders” (e.g., phencyclidine use disorder) and are no longer considered distinct diagnoses. See also substance abuse.

hallucinogen dependence

hallucinogen dependence in DSM–IV–TR, a pattern of repeated or compulsive use of hallucinogens despite significant behavioral, physiological, and psychosocial problems associated with their use, as well as tolerance and characteristic withdrawal symptoms if use is suspended. In DSM–5, hallucinogen dependence has been combined with hallucinogen abuse into single “use disorders” (e.g., phencyclidine use disorder) and are no longer considered distinct diagnoses. See also substance dependence.

hallucinogen hallucinosis

hallucinogen hallucinosis see hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder.

hallucinogen intoxication

hallucinogen intoxication in DSM–IV–TR and DSM–5, a reversible syndrome that is due to the recent ingestion of a specific hallucinogen and is marked by euphoria, subjective intensification of perceptions, hallucinations, synesthesias, pupillary dilation, increased heart rate, sweating, palpitations, blurring of vision, tremors, and incoordination. With higher levels of intoxication, clinically significant behavioral or psychological changes can include marked anxiety or depression, delusion of reference, difficulty focusing attention, fear of losing one’s mind, paranoia, and impaired judgment. See also phencyclidine intoxication; substance intoxication.

hallucinogen-affective disorder

hallucinogen-affective disorder see hallucinogen-induced mood disorder.

hallucinogen-induced mood disorder

hallucinogen-induced mood disorder a prominent and persistent disturbance of mood experienced during and after hallucinogen intoxication. It may be characterized by depression or anxiety, self-reproach, feelings of guilt, and tension. Also called hallucinogen-affective disorder.

hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder

hallucinogen-induced psychotic disorder prominent hallucinations, delusions, or both due to hallucinogen intoxication that are not recognized by the individual as having been induced by hallucinogens. The hallucinations and delusions exceed those usually associated with such intoxication, being sufficiently severe to warrant clinical attention. Also called hallucinogen hallucinosis.

hallucinosis

hallucinosis n. a pathological condition characterized by prominent and persistent hallucinations without alterations of consciousness, particularly when caused by the direct physiological effects of a substance or associated with neurological factors.

halo effect

halo effect a rating bias in which a general evaluation (usually positive) of a person, or an evaluation of a person on a specific dimension, influences judgments of that person on other specific dimensions. For example, a person who is generally liked might be judged as more intelligent, competent, and honest than he or she actually is.

haloperidol

haloperidol n. a high-potency antipsychotic of the butyrophenone class, in use in Europe in the 1950s and in the United States from 1965. Haloperidol and other high-potency antipsychotics were preferred over lower potency phenothiazines because of their lack of cardiovascular and anticholinergic effects; however, they were associated more with extrapyramidal symptoms and tardive dyskinesia than lower potency agents. The increased safety profile of the second-generation atypical antipsychotics has led to a decline in use of haloperidol, although it is still used individually and in conjunction with newer agents. Some argue that few differences exist between the newer agents and haloperidol if the latter is used in much lower doses than has been customary. U.S. trade name: Haldol.

Halstead Category Test

Halstead Category Test see Category Test.

Halstead–Reitan Impairment Index

Halstead–Reitan Impairment Index see impairment index. [Ward C. Halstead (1908–1969) and Ralph M. Reitan (1922– ), U.S. psychologists]

Halstead–Reitan Neuropsychological Battery (HRNB)

Sorry, "halstead-reitan-neuropsychological-battery-hrnb" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

halving method

halving method see fractionation.

Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D; HRSD)

Sorry, "hamilton-rating-scale-for-depression-ham-d-hrsd" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hammer

hammer n. see ossicles.

hand dominance

hand dominance see handedness.

Hand Dynamometer Test

Hand Dynamometer Test see Grip Strength Test.

hand-tool dexterity test

hand-tool dexterity test a test of the ability to use hand tools effectively.

hand-washing compulsion

hand-washing compulsion a persistent and irrational preoccupation with washing the hands, characteristic of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS)

Sorry, "hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-havs" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Hand–Christian–Schüller syndrome

Hand–Christian–Schüller syndrome a rare disturbance of lipid metabolism marked by the presence of large phagocytic blood cells and an accumulation of cholesterol plus a triad of symptoms: membranous bone defects, diabetes insipidus, and protrusion of the eyes. Growth and mental development may also be delayed. [Alfred Hand (1868–1949), U.S. pediatrician; Henry A. Christian (1876–1951), U.S. physician; Arthur Schüller (1874–1958), Austrian neurologist]

handedness

handedness n. the consistent use of one hand rather than the other in performing certain tasks. The preference usually is related to a dominance effect of the motor cortex on the opposite side of the body. Also called hand dominance; manual dominance. See cerebral dominance; laterality; left-handedness; right-handedness.

handicap

handicap 1. n. any disadvantage or characteristic that limits or prevents a person from performing various physical, cognitive, or social tasks or from fulfilling particular roles within society. For example, a nonaccessible building entry or exit for a person in a wheelchair would be considered a handicap, as would the person’s inability to walk. The term generally is considered pejorative and its use has fallen into disfavor. See also disability. 2. vb. to place an individual or group of individuals at a disadvantage, or to hinder or impede progress. —handicapped adj.

handicap principle

handicap principle the idea that nonhuman animals use high-cost honest signals to demonstrate their potential as mates. The long, loud, continuous song of songbirds, the tails of peacocks, and the loud roars of howler monkeys are all energetically costly and make the caller conspicuous to predators. However, if these “handicaps” provide accurate information about the condition or quality of the animal, superior individuals will become preferred mates, and the conspicuous and costly traits will be maintained in future generations.

handwriting analysis

handwriting analysis see graphology.

hanging rootogram

hanging rootogram a type of histogram in which the horizontal x-axis is slightly elevated and the vertical y-axis depicts the square root of frequencies using bars that “hang” downward from a curve showing the expected normal distribution. A hanging rootogram allows researchers to see how well their observed distribution (e.g., of debt for a group of middle-class families) fits an expected theoretical distribution. If the observed data differ from the expected pattern, the hanging histogram bars will drop below the elevated horizontal axis, thereby indicating places of poor match between the observed and theoretical distributions. Also called suspended rootogram. See rootogram.

hangover

hangover n. the physiological effects experienced after cessation of heavy drinking, usually appearing within hours and lasting up to a day. Symptoms include malaise, thirst, headache, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. A hangover is different from alcohol withdrawal, particularly in the duration of alcohol use required for it to develop. —hung over adj.

Hans

Hans n. see Clever Hans; Little Hans.

haphazard sampling

haphazard sampling any method of selecting research participants that is neither random nor systematic and hence is likely to be biased. Convenience sampling is an example. Thus, if researchers decided to solicit participants from an Internet advertisement the process would be biased toward individuals who own a computer and who are more likely to respond to computer-based communications. Depending on the prevalence and likelihood of computer use in various facets of the population, the sample could be biased by gender, ethnicity, geographical location, economic status, or age, among other possible variables.

haplodiploidy

haplodiploidy n. the state in which individuals of one sex have only one set of chromosomes (i.e., are haploid), because they have developed from an unfertilized egg, and individuals of the other sex have two sets of chromosomes (i.e., are diploid). Haplodiploidy is common in bees and wasps, in which males are haploid. Their female offspring inherit identical paternal genes and thus share 75% of their genes (siblings of diploid parents share only 50% of their genes). This provides a genetic basis for eusociality. —haplodiploid adj.

haploid

haploid adj. describing a nucleus, cell, or organism that possesses only one representative of each chromosome, as in a sperm or egg cell. In most organisms, including humans, fusion of the haploid sex cells following fertilization restores the normal diploid condition of body cells, in which the chromosomes occur in pairs. Hence for humans, the haploid number is 23 chromosomes, which is half the full complement of 46 chromosomes.

happiness

happiness n. an emotion of joy, gladness, satisfaction, and well-being. —happy adj.

happy-puppet syndrome

happy-puppet syndrome see Angelman syndrome.

haptic

haptic adj. relating to the sense of touch and the cutaneous sensory system in general. It typically refers to active touch, in which the individual intentionally seeks sensory stimulation, moving the limbs to gain information about an object or surface.

haptic hallucination

haptic hallucination see tactile hallucination.

haptic horizontal–vertical illusion

haptic horizontal–vertical illusion an illusion in touch in which verticals may be judged as different in length from horizontals. The illusion depends upon figural characteristics and is especially strong when one feels inverted T shapes.

haptic illusion

haptic illusion any mistaken perception arising from voluntary, directed contact with an object (see active touch). The haptic Müller-Lyer illusion is an example. Compare tactile illusion.

haptic map

haptic map a tactile map that can be felt by people with visual impairment. Such maps may be two-dimensional, comprising raised lines, or they can use three-dimensional landmarks.

haptic Müller-Lyer illusion

haptic Müller-Lyer illusion an illusion in touch in which tangible lines that end in a pattern with arrowheads that face toward each other are judged as longer than lines that end with arrowheads that face away from each other. See also haptic illusion. [Franz Müller-Lyer (1857–1916), German psychiatrist and sociologist]

haptic perception

haptic perception perception by active touch and intentional exploration of objects and surfaces. See also touch sense.

haptic picture

haptic picture a picture produced with raised lines so that it can be felt by people with visual impairment.

haptics

haptics n. the study of touch, particularly as a means of actively exploring and gaining information about the environment, and the applications of this study in communication systems.

hard colors

hard colors yellows and reds.

hard data

hard data information that is quantitative and specific, usually obtained from rigorous experimental research, systematic measurement, and statistical analysis. Hard data are sometimes contrasted with soft data, which may be more qualitative and involve anecdotal evidence that is not obtained systematically.

hard determinism

hard determinism the doctrine that human actions and choices are causally determined by forces and influences over which a person exercises no meaningful control. The term can also be applied to nonhuman events, implying that all things must be as they are and could not possibly be otherwise. Compare soft determinism. See determinism.

hard drug

hard drug a colloquial name for a psychoactive drug of abuse that produces physical dependence and is associated with high rates of adverse consequences. In contrast, a soft drug does not produce physical dependence but may produce psychological dependence. Whether a drug is perceived as hard or soft may depend on the social and cultural connotations surrounding its use and on its legal restrictions, if any, in particular locations. For example, alcohol fits the definition of a hard drug but remains legal and is considered by many not to be a drug at all. See substance abuse; substance dependence.

hard palate

hard palate the bony anterior portion of the roof of the mouth, covered above and below, respectively, by the mucous membranes of the nasal and oral cavities. Also called palatum durum. Compare soft palate.

hard problem

hard problem in philosophy of mind, the difficulty of explaining the emergence of the qualitative nature (see qualia) of subjective experience on the basis of the physical nature of the brain. [terminology proposed by Australian philosopher David Chalmers (1966– )]

hard psychology

hard psychology a colloquial name for experimental psychology in contradistinction to so-called soft psychology, which is seen as having a more subjective, less rigorous approach.

hard sell

hard sell an attempt to sell a product or service by using strong persuasive or compliance techniques, such as setting artificial deadlines or offering special deals to encourage potential buyers to commit themselves. A hard sell can be compared to a soft sell, in which more unobtrusive methods are used and little pressure is placed on the consumer to make an immediate decision.

hard-wired

hard-wired adj. 1. referring to electrical or electronic circuits in which the connections among components are permanently established and which are usually designed to perform a specific function. 2. in neurophysiology, referring to fixed, inflexible neural networks or neural circuits.

hardiness

hardiness n. an ability to adapt easily to unexpected changes combined with a sense of purpose in daily life and of personal control over what occurs in one’s life. Hardiness dampens the negative effects of stress and can be a protective factor against illness. See also resilience. —hardy adj.

hardware

hardware n. the physical equipment in which an information-processing program is implemented, such as the physical components of a computer system or the brain. Compare software.

Hardy–Rand–Rittler pseudoisochromatic plates (H–R–R plates)

Sorry, "hardy-rand-rittler-pseudoisochromatic-plates-h-r-r-plates" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

harem

harem n. in animal behavior, a group of females controlled by or associated with one or two males, as seen in highly polygynous species. See polygyny.

harm avoidance

harm avoidance see Cloninger’s psychobiological model of personality; Temperament and Character Inventory.

harm reduction

harm reduction an approach designed to reduce the adverse effects of risky behaviors (e.g., alcohol use, drug use, indiscriminate sexual activity), rather than to eliminate the behaviors altogether. Programs focused on alcohol use, for example, do not advocate abstinence but attempt instead to teach people to anticipate the hazards of heavy drinking and learn to drink safely.

harmaline

harmaline n. see ayahuasca.

harmine

harmine n. a naturally occurring hallucinogen derived from the plants Peganum harmala, native to the Middle East, and Banisteriopsis caapi, native to the South American tropics. Harmine is a potent monoamine oxidase inhibitor and is a principal ingredient in ayahuasca, a psychoactive beverage.

harmonic

harmonic n. a pure-tone component whose frequency is an integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. For example, the third harmonic of 500 Hz is 1500 Hz. An overtone is a harmonic, but the numbering is different: 1500 Hz is the second overtone of 500 Hz.

harmonic mean

harmonic mean a measure of central tendency. It is computed for n scores by dividing the scores by the sum of their reciprocals; that is, n divided by the sum of 1/x1 + 1/x2 + 1/xn. See also geometric mean; mean.

harmony

harmony n. 1. friendly or cooperative relations among people, such that social interactions are congruous and conflict free. 2. in a design, work of art, or the like, an arrangement of parts (e.g., lines or musical tones) into a whole pattern that is considered to be balanced and pleasing. —harmonious adj.

HAROLD

HAROLD acronym for hemispheric asymmetry reduction in older adults.

Harris v. Forklift Systems Inc.

Harris v. Forklift Systems Inc. a case resulting in a 1993 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that in sexual harassment cases the victim is not required to show psychological injury as a consequence of the offensive behavior and that a reasonable person standard should be used to judge the offensiveness of the conduct. See also hostile work environment.

Harrisburg Seven

Harrisburg Seven seven Vietnam War protesters who were arrested and tried in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1972 for various antiwar activities. Their trial was one of the earliest occasions of the use of social science methods to help attorneys select jurors (see scientific jury selection).

Harvey Impostor Phenomenon Scale (HIPS)

Sorry, "harvey-impostor-phenomenon-scale-hips" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hashish

hashish n. the most potent cannabis preparation. It contains the highest concentration of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) because it consists largely of pure resin from one of the species of the Cannabis plant from which it is derived.

hasty generalization

hasty generalization see converse accident.

hate

hate n. a hostile emotion combining intense feelings of detestation, anger, and often a desire to do harm. Also called hatred.

hate crime

hate crime violence motivated by hatred or prejudice toward the group to which the victim of the violence belongs. Examples of hate crimes are killing a person because he or she is (or is thought to be) gay and bombing a place of worship of a religious minority.

haunted swing illusion

haunted swing illusion an illusory perception of self-movement that occurs when an individual is seated on a stationary swing and the surrounding environment is moved. See induced movement.

HAVS

HAVS abbreviation for hand–arm vibration syndrome.

Hawthorne effect

Hawthorne effect the effect on the behavior of individuals of knowing that they are being observed or are taking part in research. The Hawthorne effect is typically positive and is named after the Western Electric Company’s Hawthorne Works plant in Cicero, Illinois, where the phenomenon was first observed during a series of studies on worker productivity conducted from 1924 to 1932. These Hawthorne Studies began as an investigation of the effects of illumination conditions, monetary incentives, and rest breaks on productivity, but evolved into a much wider consideration of the role of worker attitudes, supervisory style, and group dynamics. The human relations theory of management is usually considered to have developed from these studies.

Hay method

Hay method a job evaluation technique used in determining the pay structure in an organization. Jobs are evaluated on the extent to which they require know-how, problem solving, and accountability, then compensated accordingly. The method combines elements of the factor-comparison method and the point method. [Edward N. Hay (1891–1958), U.S. management expert]

Hayflick limit

Hayflick limit the finite number of times a cell is able to divide before undergoing programmed cell death. Discovered in 1961 by U.S. microbiologist Leonard Hayflick (1928– ), the limit was subsequently proposed to occur when telomeres become too short for further division.

hazard

hazard n. a potential source of danger, injury, illness, or equipment damage or malfunction. —hazardous adj.

hazard analysis

hazard analysis an analysis used to identify the level of risk associated with some process or new product (e.g., a new food item). It involves identifying potential hazards, determining their probability, and evaluating the likely severity of their effects. Also called hazard modeling.

hazard control

hazard control the process of identifying, evaluating, and eliminating hazards from an environment, system, or product (engineering controls) or of protecting users and workers from exposure to hazards where these cannot be completely eliminated (administrative controls). See also safety engineering.

hazard function

hazard function a mathematical formula that describes the relationship between the risk of a particular event occurring and time. It is one element of survival analysis.

hazard rate

hazard rate in hazard analysis, a value used to indicate the immediate potential or risk of an event’s occurrence at a particular instance in time. It often is used in health studies and will vary depending on the time point of interest. For example, a hazard rate may be used to determine whether an individual who is abstinent from alcohol or drugs at 6 months is likely to relapse in the near future.

hazard-assessment matrix

hazard-assessment matrix see risk-assessment matrix.

hazard-control protocol

hazard-control protocol the order of priority that applies in the process of eliminating or protecting against hazards. The protocol is design out, guard against, warn, and train. See administrative controls; engineering controls.

hazing

hazing n. the initiation of new members into a group by subjecting them to rituals that involve mental or physical discomfort, harassment, embarrassment, ridicule, or humiliation. Hazing is thought to promote group-relevant skills and attitudes, reinforce the status hierarchy, and create social dependency.

Hb

Hb abbreviation for hemoglobin.

HCBS

HCBS abbreviation for home and community-based services.

HCFA

HCFA abbreviation for Health Care Financing Administration. See Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

HD

HD abbreviation for Huntington’s disease.

HDI

HDI abbreviation for Hamilton Depression Inventory. See Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

head banging

head banging the act or habit of repeatedly striking the head on a crib, wall, or other object, observed in infants and young children as a stereotyped behavior (see stereotypy) or during a temper tantrum. See also stereotypic movement disorder.

head injury

head injury any physical injury to the scalp or skull or any brain damage that may result. Head injuries are usually caused by blunt force, such as a blow to the head, but may result from significant acceleration or deceleration in the absence of physical contact (see acceleration–deceleration injury). They are commonly classified as either closed, in which the head strikes an object (e.g., a concussion), or open (penetrating), in which a foreign object passes through the skull and enters the brain (e.g., a gunshot wound). A variety of transient or permanent neuropsychological consequences may result, including charged emotion, behavior, and personality; disturbances of executive functions; memory and attention difficulties; and sensory and motor deficits. Also called head trauma.

head nystagmus

head nystagmus the slow movement of the head in the opposite direction after an individual is rotated, followed by a rapid movement of the head in the direction of rotation.

head retraction

head retraction reflex withdrawal of the head when receptors in the nasal cavities are sharply irritated.

head rolling

head rolling repeated movements of the head from side to side as manifested by some children before going to sleep. The condition has been attributed to inhibition of movement in the crib, lack of stimulating play, and possibly fetal passivity during intrauterine life. Also called jactatio capitis nocturnis.

Head Start

Head Start a U.S. government-funded program designed to enhance early childhood education and foster school readiness, with special emphasis on high-risk, inner-city, and minority children up to 5 years of age and their families. It was initially designed in 1965 by developmental psychologist Edward Zigler, with the intention of breaking the cycle of poverty by providing preschool children of low-income families with a comprehensive program to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional, and psychological needs in an 8-week summer program. In 1977, the program became bilingual, and by 1998, it had expanded to full-day, full-year services. Head Start has served more than 30 million children since its inception and now includes a variety of services and program options, including Early Head Start, a home visit- and center-based program for children up to age 3 and their families. Head Start serves more than a million children and their families each year in urban and rural areas in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories. Also called Project Head Start. See also Project Follow Through.

head trauma

head trauma see head injury.

head voice

head voice the upper reaches, or higher range, of the speaking or singing voice, in which tone resonates primarily in the mouth, nasal cavity, and bones of the skull. An excited or anxious speaking tone is generally produced in a head voice. Compare chest voice.

head-direction cell

head-direction cell a type of neuron that discharges as a function of the orientation of an animal’s head within the environment. Head-direction cells are located in several regions of the brain, including the thalamus and mammillary bodies of the limbic system and the entorhinal cortex and subiculum of the medial temporal lobe memory system. Each has a preferred direction of maximal firing, and their combined activity is influenced by visual and other sensory inputs, motor feedback signals, and internally generated cues from the vestibular system and other interoceptive and proprioceptive sources. It has been suggested that the information head-direction cells provide is used by the animal to map its external space and that this representation of the environment then guides the animal’s navigational and other spatial behavior. [initially discovered in rats in 1984 by neuroscientist James B. Ranck Jr.]

head-of-the-table effect

head-of-the-table effect the propensity for group members to associate the leadership role and its responsibilities with the seat located at the head of the table. As a result, individuals who occupy such positions tend to emerge as leaders in groups without designated leaders. See also Steinzor effect.

head-related transfer function (HRTF)

Sorry, "head-related-transfer-function-hrtf" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

head-slaved

head-slaved adj. describing a virtual reality environment in which head movements by the user produce corresponding changes in the virtual scene. See also perceptual user interface.

head-up display (HUD)

Sorry, "head-up-display-hud" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

headache

headache n. a pain in the head from any cause. Examples include cluster headaches, migraine headaches, and tension headaches.

headshrinking

headshrinking n. the shrinking of severed heads, usually human, through the application of heat or herbal liquids, as practiced among various indigenous societies, mainly in southeast Asia and South America. The heads are used for various ritual purposes, including healing rituals. The slang shrink (short for headshrinker), meaning a psychiatrist or psychologist, is probably derived from this practice.

headstick

headstick n. a type of physical extension device used by individuals with disabilities who have adequate head function. The stick is mounted on a headpiece and can be used to press against, grasp, pull, or point to an object.

healing group

healing group broadly, any of a variety of groups formed for the purpose of improving or promoting the mental and emotional health and well-being or interpersonal relationships of the members, as in group therapy, self-help groups, encounter groups, and consciousness-raising groups.

health

health n. the condition of one’s mind, body, and spirit, the idea being freedom from illness, injury, pain, and distress.

health activities questionnaire

health activities questionnaire any questionnaire designed to measure an individual’s current repertoire of health-related behaviors. In health care there is an increased emphasis on prevention, and many inventories exist to measure an individual’s compliance with physical activity, dietary control, preventive inoculations, and screening for potential health problems, such as mammography and prostate or colon cancer testing.

health anxiety

health anxiety excessive or inappropriate anxiety about one’s health, based on misinterpretation of symptoms (e.g., pain, gastrointestinal distress) as indicative of serious illness. Health anxiety is often associated with hypochondriasis.

health care

health care services and delivery related to the health and well-being of individuals and communities, including preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, maintenance, monitoring, and counseling services. In its broadest sense, health care relates to both physical and mental health and is provided by medical and mental health professionals. See also mental health care; mental health services.

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)

Sorry, "health-care-financing-administration-hcfa" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

health care proxy

health care proxy see advance directive.

health care psychology

health care psychology see health psychology.

health care reform movement

health care reform movement the social and political efforts to improve health and mental health care access, advance quality of care, and control health and mental health care costs.

health education

health education 1. instruction in the care and hygiene of the human body, with emphasis on illness prevention. 2. any type of education regarding physical, mental, and emotional health. Conducted in school, institutional, and community settings, this education may cover stress management, smoking cessation, nutrition and fitness, reproductive health, self-esteem, relationship issues, health risks, personal safety (e.g., self-defense and rape prevention), and minority health issues.

health home

health home an evolving concept, originating in 1967 with the idea of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) of archiving each child’s medical records in a central (“home”) location, intended to provide patients of all ages with access to continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate, and culturally effective care. The AAP together with the American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Osteopathic Association jointly endorsed the following principles of this medical approach: that (a) each patient have a personal physician; (b) the personal physician direct a team of practitioners, who collectively are responsible for providing the patient’s ongoing medical and mental health care (i.e., acute, chronic, and preventative services); (c) the personal physician take a whole-person approach to the patient’s care, either personally treating the patient or arranging for care from other qualified professionals; and (d) the patient’s physical and mental health care be coordinated or integrated across the health care system and the patient’s community, such that care is received where and when the patient wants it and in an appropriate manner (e.g., in the patient’s preferred language, in a culturally relevant way). Ideally, benefits of this approach are higher quality care, improved safety, enhanced access to care (e.g., through expanded hours, open scheduling, and new methods of communication between the patient and the medical and mental health teams), reduced costs in service delivery, and better reimbursement for services provided. Also called medical home; patient-centered medical home.

health insurance

health insurance a contractual relationship in which an insurance company undertakes to reimburse the insured for health care expenses in exchange for a premium. Such payment protections might include, for example, medical expense, outpatient mental health, accident, dental, disability income, and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.

health locus of control

health locus of control the perceived source of control over health, either personal behaviors or external forces. See also locus of control.

health maintenance organization

health maintenance organization see HMO.

health plan

health plan an organized program that provides a defined set of health care benefits. Health plans may be HMOs, PPOs, insured plans, self-insured plans, or other plans that cover health care services.

Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)

Sorry, "health-plan-employer-data-and-information-set-hedis" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

health professional

health professional an individual who has received advanced training or education in a health-related field, such as direct patient care, administration, or ancillary services.

health promotion

health promotion education, wellness programs, public policies, fiscal measures, legislation, or other coordinated actions that aim to give people more control over their physical and mental health, with the goal of improving their overall health and well-being.

health psychology

health psychology the subfield of psychology that focuses on (a) the examination of the relationships between behavioral, cognitive, psychophysiological, and social and environmental factors and the establishment, maintenance, and detriment of health; (b) the integration of psychological and biological research findings in the design of empirically based interventions for the prevention and treatment of illness; and (c) the evaluation of physical and psychological status before, during, and after medical and psychological treatment. Also called health care psychology.

health risk appraisal

health risk appraisal 1. information collected to assess an individual’s risk for various medical conditions. It may be limited to information from a health activities questionnaire or may include measurements such as cholesterol levels and triglycerides as well as other physical data. 2. the perception by individuals of the extent to which they believe that they are susceptible to a health threat. See also perceived susceptibility; risk perception.

health screening

health screening testing and examinations performed on a person who is at risk of a disease or disorder but who may not yet show symptoms.

health visitor

health visitor a health professional, usually associated with a visiting nurse association, who visits families where health supervision is needed, for example, to ensure that children are not abused or neglected.

health–belief model

health–belief model a model that identifies the relationships of the following issues to the likelihood of taking preventive health action: (a) individual perceptions about susceptibility to and seriousness of a disease, (b) sociodemographic variables, (c) environmental cues, and (d) perceptions of the benefits and costs. See also exercise–behavior model.

healthcare information system (HIS)

Sorry, "healthcare-information-system-his" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hearing

hearing n. the ability of an organism to sense sound and to process and interpret the sensations to gain information about the source and nature of the sound. In humans, hearing refers to the perception of sound. Also called audition.

hearing aid

hearing aid an electronic device that amplifies sounds for people with hearing loss. The basic parts of a hearing aid include a microphone to collect sounds, a replenishable battery power supply, an amplifier to increase the volume of sounds, and a receiver to transmit the amplified sounds to the ear. Hearing aids are available in four different styles (behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal, and completely in the canal) and four different types: (a) conventional, which is the most basic and amplifies all sounds; (b) programmable, which adjusts the level of amplification of sounds according to a customized listening program; (c) digital, which automatically adjusts amplification and volume, is freer from distortion, and provides enhanced sound clarity and improved selective listening in noisy environments; and (d) disposable, which is comparable to a conventional hearing aid but must be replaced entirely once the battery wears out. See also assistive listening device; cochlear implant.

hearing disorder

hearing disorder any disease, injury, or congenital condition resulting in hearing loss or deafness.

hearing level

hearing level see audiogram.

hearing loss

hearing loss the inability to hear a normal range of tone frequencies, a normally perceived level of sound intensity, or both.

hearing mute

hearing mute an obsolescent and pejorative name for an individual who is unable or unwilling to speak but is able to hear.

hearing protection

hearing protection a device or method used to control noise exposure by reducing the intensity of noise reaching the ear. Techniques range from simple barrier methods (e.g., earplugs) to active noise protection.

hearing theories

hearing theories theories related to the sensation and perception of sound. Until the 1960s, such theories related almost exclusively to sound processing in the inner ear; they include place theory, frequency theory, volley theory, and traveling wave theory. Contemporary theories and models relate to various aspects of hearing, including pitch perception, intensity coding, and binaural hearing.

heart attack

heart attack sudden, severe chest pain that occurs when one of the coronary arteries becomes blocked. The condition may result in a myocardial infarction (i.e., death of a section of heart muscle), depending on the extent of damage to the surrounding muscle.

heart block

heart block see arrhythmia.

heart rate reactivity

heart rate reactivity changes in heart rate associated with particular emotional states. It is usually held that heart rate increases in states of fear, anger, and scorn and decreases in states of attentiveness, positive emotional reaction, and interest. However, the actual relation between heart rate and emotion is complex and largely mediated by the energy demands of the bodily musculature of the organism in an emotional state. Thus, a frightened animal that reacts with tonic immobility (death feigning) and limpness will show a reduction in heart rate in its reaction to a threat, whereas an animal that is immobile but poised for flight typically shows acceleration of heart rate. States of laughter, although pleasurable, are typically associated with an accelerated heart rate owing to the involvement of large muscle groups in the act of laughing.

heat

heat n. 1. a thermal sensation produced by a stimulus that is above body temperature. 2. see estrus.

heat dolorimeter

heat dolorimeter a device for the measurement of heat-induced pain.

heat effects

heat effects changes in mental or physical conditions due to perceived or actual ambient temperatures above the normal comfort range. Perceived heat may be affected by humidity or individual cognitive factors; high humidity usually makes excessive heat less tolerable. The main physiological heat effects are heat-induced asthenia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and severe circulatory disorders (e.g., heart attacks) caused by excessive demands on the cardiovascular system to circulate blood near external surfaces for a cooling effect. Because of variable perceived heat effects, studies of psychological effects are less conclusive, although performance appears to improve with increasing ambient temperatures up to a level of around 32°C (90°F), after which arousal and performance decline. High temperatures can have adverse effects on feelings and emotions and can influence aggression, although no consensus exists in the scientific literature on the exact degree of this influence. Some researchers believe that aggression increases with temperature in a linear manner, whereas others hold that beyond a certain temperature, the desire for escape or relief from the heat supersedes the tendency toward aggression. See acclimatization; overheating.

heat exhaustion

heat exhaustion a condition resulting from exposure to excessive heat. Dehydration and salt depletion in the body cause such symptoms as headaches, weakness, dizziness, and blurred vision. Heat exhaustion typically is temporary and not life threatening because it does not involve elevation of body temperature, as occurs in heatstroke.

heat stress

heat stress any stress effect on an organism that results from exposure to excessive ambient temperatures, particularly heat-induced asthenia, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.

heat-induced asthenia

heat-induced asthenia a condition associated with prolonged exposure to heat and characterized by general physical and mental impairment, fatigue, lethargy, irritability, insomnia, headache, and possible loss of appetite.

heatstroke

heatstroke n. a serious condition caused by a breakdown of the body’s temperature-regulation ability following exposure to excessive heat. The body is no longer able to cool itself by sweating, the skin feels hot and dry, and the person may experience convulsions or seizures and potentially lose consciousness. The elevated body temperature may cause brain damage or death. Emergency treatment involving cooling the patient must be started immediately.

Hebbian synapse

Hebbian synapse a junction between neurons that is strengthened when it successfully fires the postsynaptic cell. See dual trace hypothesis. [Donald O. Hebb]

hebephrenia

hebephrenia n. see disorganized schizophrenia.

hebetude

hebetude n. a state of severe emotional dullness, lethargy, and lack of interest.

Hecht’s theory of vision

Hecht’s theory of vision the theory that incremental discrimination of light intensity results from incremental changes in the photochemical materials, such as rhodopsin, present in the photoreceptors. [proposed in 1934 by Selig Hecht (1892–1947), Polish-born U.S. biophysicist]

hedge

hedge n. a statement in which the speaker qualifies its apparent meaning or uses various linguistic devices to make it evasive or noncommittal.

Hedges’s g

Hedges’s g an effect size measure that represents the standardized difference between means. Hedges’s g differs from the more widely used Cohen’s d in that, whereas both use a pooled standard deviation in the denominator, the former uses n – 1 and the latter uses n when calculating the standard deviations. Thus, Hedges’s g tends to be considered as having less bias than Cohen’s d. See also Glass’s d. [Larry V. Hedges, U.S. statistician]

HEDIS

HEDIS acronym for Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set.

hedonic contingency hypothesis

hedonic contingency hypothesis a theory of affect and information processing postulating that people consider the pleasant or unpleasant implications when determining whether to elaborate information. When people are in positive mood states, they tend to be highly attentive to the impact information will have on their mood. If the information is seen as uplifting, they will engage in extensive elaboration to maintain their positive mood, but if it is seen as unpleasant, they will engage in little elaboration. When people are in negative mood states, they tend to elaborate information with little attention to its hedonic consequences because such information is unlikely to make their mood more negative and might make it more positive. [originally proposed by U.S. social psychologists Duane T. Wegener (1966– ) and Richard E. Petty (1951– )]

hedonic contrast

hedonic contrast the concept that preference for a “good” stimulus is enhanced if it is preceded or accompanied by a less pleasing stimulus. Hedonic contrast is only found when the two stimuli are extremely similar (e.g., shades of the same hue).

hedonic level

hedonic level the degree of pleasantness or unpleasantness aroused by an interaction or a thought. See hedonic theory.

hedonic psychology

hedonic psychology a psychological perspective that focuses on the spectrum of experiences ranging from pleasure to pain and includes biological, social, and phenomenological aspects and their relationship to motivation and action. See hedonism.

hedonic relevance

hedonic relevance the extent to which a situation or activity has bearing on the attainment or maintenance of a positive mood. According to the hedonic contingency hypothesis, happy people consider the hedonic relevance of an activity they might carry out before actually engaging in that behavior, because they want to maintain their good mood.

hedonic theory

hedonic theory the view that a fundamental motivational principle in human beings and nonhuman animals is the level of pleasantness or unpleasantness aroused by an interaction or thought. See also hedonism. [proposed by Paul Thomas Young]

hedonic time-order error

hedonic time-order error a preference for one of two otherwise equally preferred stimuli that arises because of the time interval that separates their presentation. The first stimulus is preferred when the interval is brief, and the second stimulus is preferred when the interval is lengthier.

hedonic tone

hedonic tone a property of a sensory or other experience relating to its pleasantness or unpleasantness.

hedonic treadmill

hedonic treadmill a metaphor for a hypothesis proposing that people’s happiness tends to return to a preexisting baseline level after positive or negative life events have occurred. According to this concept, positive and negative events may produce short-term shifts in mood, but these shifts tend to erode in a relatively brief period of time. This process of adaptation is thought to be responsible for the persistence of mood states over time, often in the face of considerable efforts to change them. Although there is good evidence for this hypothesis, research has demonstrated that people do not always return to baseline after the occurrence of mood-changing events. See also set point. [coined by Canadian-born U.S. psychologist Philip Brickman (1943–1982) and Donald Campbell in a 1971 essay]

hedonic well-being

hedonic well-being the type of happiness or contentment that is achieved when pleasure is obtained and pain is avoided. Compare eudaimonic well-being.

hedonics

hedonics n. the branch of psychology concerned with the study of pleasant and unpleasant sensations and thoughts, especially in terms of their role in human motivation.

hedonism

hedonism n. 1. in philosophy, the doctrine that pleasure is an intrinsic good and the proper goal of all human action. One of the fundamental questions of ethics has been whether pleasure can or should be equated with the good in this way. 2. in psychology, any theory that suggests that pleasure and the avoidance of pain are the only or the major motivating forces in human behavior. Hedonism is a foundational principle in psychoanalysis, in behaviorism, and even in theories that stress self-actualization and need fulfillment. To the extent that human beings are hedonistic, it is difficult to admit the possibility of genuine altruism. Also called hedonistic psychology. See eudemonism; hedonic psychology. —hedonistic adj.

hegemony

hegemony n. the dominance of one individual, group, or state over others. In some 20th-century Marxist writings, the term refers particularly to the success of the dominant social class in imposing its ideology on other classes, so that this comes to seem part of the “natural” order of things. See also dominant ideology thesis. —hegemonic adj.

height phobia

height phobia see acrophobia.

Heinz dilemma

Heinz dilemma a story about an ethical dilemma faced by a character named Heinz that was used by Lawrence Kohlberg to assess the moral reasoning skills of those he asked to respond to it. Having exhausted every other possibility, Heinz must decide whether to steal an expensive drug that offers the only hope of saving his dying wife. See Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.

Heisenberg principle

Heisenberg principle see uncertainty principle.

helicotrema

helicotrema n. a small opening at the apex of the cochlea where the scala vestibuli and scala tympani communicate. This opening limits the ability of the basilar membrane to vibrate in response to sounds of very low frequency.

heliocentric theory

heliocentric theory the cosmological theory that the sun is the center of the solar system and that the earth and other heavenly bodies orbit around it. The theory, which originated in ancient Greece, was revived by Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus (1475–1543) and elaborated by Italian physicist and astronomer Galileo Galilei (1564–1642). It was controversial in the 16th and 17th centuries because it opposed the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church that the earth was stationary at the center of the universe (see geocentric theory). Also called Copernican theory.

heliotropism

heliotropism n. see tropism.

hellebore

hellebore n. any plant of the genus Veratrum but particularly Veratrum viride, a poisonous plant indigenous to North America that has a history of use by Native Americans for various medicinal purposes. It contains more than 20 alkaloids, including veratrine, which has analgesic properties when used topically but produces prolonged muscle contractions when ingested. The hellebore alkaloids were also used medicinally in England as well as America in the 18th and 19th centuries in the treatment of numerous conditions, including seizures, neuralgia, headaches, and respiratory problems. They have been used more recently to lower blood pressure but generally are avoided because of their potential toxicity. The name hellebore is also given to poisonous ornamental plants of the Eurasian genus Helleborus.

Helmholtz chessboard

Helmholtz chessboard see chessboard illusion. [Hermann von Helmholtz]

Helmholtz color mixer

Helmholtz color mixer a device that enables the intensity and wavelength of two light sources to be independently adjusted, mixed, and presented by means of a prism as a single homogeneous field to an observer, who views the field through a modified telescope. [Hermann von Helmholtz]

Helmholtz square illusion

Helmholtz square illusion a square made up of parallel horizontal lines that looks like a vertically oriented rectangle (i.e., taller than a square), or a square made up of parallel vertical lines that looks like a horizontally oriented rectangle (i.e., wider than a square). [Hermann von Helmholtz]

Helmholtz theory

Helmholtz theory in audition, the still-controversial theory that pitch is determined by the place of stimulation along the basilar membrane. The theory is clearly flawed in certain aspects, such as its inability to account for the pitch of a missing fundamental (see virtual pitch), but the essential notion remains viable. See place theory. [Hermann von Helmholtz]

help-seeking behavior

help-seeking behavior searching for or requesting help from others via formal or informal mechanisms, such as through mental health services. See treatment-seeking behavior.

helper

helper n. in animal behavior, see alloparenting.

helping

helping n. a type of prosocial behavior in which one or more individuals act to improve the status or well-being of one or more others. Although helping behavior is typically in response to a small request that involves little individual risk, all helping behavior incurs some cost to the individual providing it. See also altruism; egoistic helping.

helping model

helping model a broadly based educational approach that has much in common with humanistic models in its emphasis on the development of the complete individual and the realization of a student’s full potential. The helping model is concerned with motor development, perceptual skills, cognitive development, emotional maturity, interpersonal skills, expression, creativity, and ethical values.

helping professions

helping professions occupations that provide health and education services to individuals and groups, including occupations in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, counseling, medicine, nursing, social work, physical and occupational therapy, teaching, and education.

helping relationship

helping relationship a relationship in which at least one of the parties intends to promote the growth, development, maturity, or improved functioning of the other. The parties may be either individuals or groups. [defined in 1961 by Carl Rogers]

helplessness

helplessness n. a state of incapacity, vulnerability, or powerlessness associated with the perception that one cannot do much to improve a negative situation that has arisen. Theorists have suggested that helplessness underlies various forms of anxiety, dependence, withdrawal, and demoralization. See also coping potential; learned helplessness. —helpless adj.

helplessness theory

helplessness theory see learned helplessness.

hem-

Sorry, "hem" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hematoma

hematoma n. an abnormal accumulation of blood as a result of vessel leakage or rupture. In the brain, hematomas can cause substantial behavioral deficits, and even death, by increasing intracranial pressure. Although some may spontaneously reabsorb and disappear, others must be surgically evacuated. See epidural hematoma; subdural hematoma.

hematophobia

hematophobia n. see blood phobia.

hemeralopia

hemeralopia n. day blindness: a condition in which a person has difficulty seeing in bright light but has good vision in dim light.

hemeraphonia

hemeraphonia n. a psychogenic speech disorder in which a person is unable to vocalize during the day but may be able to speak normally at night.

hemi-

Sorry, "hemi" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemiachromatopsia

hemiachromatopsia n. a visual field defect that occurs after injury to the occipitotemporal region of the brain and is characterized by the selective loss of color vision in the contralateral half of the visual field in each eye.

hemiamblyopia

hemiamblyopia n. a visual field defect characterized by loss of color and form vision and depressed light vision in the same half of the visual field in each eye. It is caused by injury to the posterior region of the brain. See cerebral amblyopia.

hemianalgesia

hemianalgesia n. a loss of pain sensation on one side of the body.

hemianesthesia

hemianesthesia n. a loss of sensitivity to stimuli on one side of the body.

hemianopia (hemianopsia; hemiopia)

Sorry, "hemianopia-hemianopsia-hemiopia" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemianopic dyslexia

hemianopic dyslexia see paracentral scotoma.

hemiasomatognosia

hemiasomatognosia n. see asomatognosia.

hemiballismus

hemiballismus n. see ballismus.

hemichorea

hemichorea n. a disorder involving choreic movements on only one side of the body. See chorea.

hemicrania

hemicrania n. pain or aching on only one side of the head, characteristic of a typical migraine headache.

hemidecortication

hemidecortication n. surgical removal of the cerebral cortex on one side of the brain.

hemimegalencephaly

hemimegalencephaly n. see megalencephaly.

hemineglect

hemineglect n. see unilateral neglect.

hemiopia

hemiopia n. see hemianopia.

hemiparesis

hemiparesis n. weakness or partial paralysis affecting one side of the body. See spastic hemiparesis.

hemiplegia

hemiplegia n. complete paralysis that affects one side of the body, most often as a result of a stroke. The paralysis is typically opposite (contralateral) to the side of the brain affected. —hemiplegic adj.

hemispatial neglect

hemispatial neglect see unilateral neglect.

hemispheral roles in emotion

hemispheral roles in emotion the different roles of the left and right hemispheres of the brain in the generation and regulation of emotions. In particular, the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere is believed to be linked to positive emotions; injury or damage to this region results in loss of positive affect. By contrast, the frontal lobe of the right hemisphere is more related to negative emotions (e.g., sadness, fear), with lesions to this portion of the brain resulting in loss of negative affect. Alternatively, the left frontal region is regarded as controlling emotions involving approach, and the right frontal region as controlling emotions involving avoidance.

hemisphere

hemisphere n. either of the symmetrical halves of the cerebrum (see cerebral hemisphere) or the cerebellum. —hemispheric or hemispherical adj.

hemispherectomy

hemispherectomy n. surgical removal of either one of the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, most often the nondominant hemisphere for treatment of intractable epilepsy.

hemispheric asymmetry

hemispheric asymmetry the idea that the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain are not identical but differ in size, shape, and function. The functions that display the most pronounced asymmetry are language processing in the left hemisphere and visuospatial processing in the right hemisphere.

hemispheric asymmetry reduction in older adults (HAROLD)

Sorry, "hemispheric-asymmetry-reduction-in-older-adults-harold" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemispheric communication

hemispheric communication the continuous exchange of neural signals between the two cerebral hemispheres, typically via the corpus callosum.

hemispheric dominance

hemispheric dominance see dominance; hemispheric lateralization.

hemispheric encoding–retrieval asymmetry (HERA)

Sorry, "hemispheric-encoding-retrieval-asymmetry-hera" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemispheric lateralization

hemispheric lateralization the processes whereby some functions, such as manual control (handedness) or speech production, are controlled or influenced more by one cerebral hemisphere than the other. Researchers now prefer to speak of hemispheric lateralization or hemispheric specialization for particular functions, rather than hemispheric dominance or lateral dominance (see dominance). Also called cerebral lateralization.

hemlock

hemlock n. see sorcery drug.

hemo- (hem-; haemo-; haem-)

Sorry, "hemo-hem-haemo-haem" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemodynamic response

hemodynamic response changes in blood flow to the brain, as measured via functional magnetic resonance imaging.

hemoglobin (Hb)

Sorry, "hemoglobin-hb" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hemoglobinopathy

hemoglobinopathy n. any of various inherited disorders associated with genetic defects in the characteristics of hemoglobin. A common effect of hemoglobinopathies is anemia, which may be severe in homozygous individuals and mild in heterozygous carriers. Sickle-cell anemia and Cooley’s anemia are examples of hemoglobinopathies.

hemophobia

hemophobia n. see blood phobia.

hemorrhage

hemorrhage n. bleeding: any loss of blood from an artery or vein. A hemorrhage may be external, internal, or within a tissue, such as the skin; a bruise is a sign of bleeding within the skin. A hemorrhage from a ruptured artery is bright red in color and erupts in spurts that coincide with heart contractions; it is generally more serious than hemorrhage from a vein, which shows as a relatively slow, steady flow of dark red blood. Brain hemorrhages may arise from head injuries or aneurysms, causing widespread damage in some cases (see cerebral hemorrhage). —hemorrhagic adj.

hemorrhagic stroke

hemorrhagic stroke a stroke resulting from rupture of a cerebral vessel, causing intracranial bleeding. Intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for approximately 10% of strokes and tends to occur deep in the basal ganglia, internal capsule, and brainstem.

hemothymia

hemothymia n. a lust for blood and a morbid desire to commit murder. See also homicidomania.

hemp

hemp n. the plant Cannabis sativa, native to Asia, from which marijuana (cannabis) is derived. Hemp is a colloquial term for marijuana.

henbane

henbane n. a poisonous plant, Hyoscyamus niger, native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe and a source of the anticholinergic alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine. Although traditionally used in small doses as an analgesic, sedative, and smooth muscle relaxant, henbane in larger quantities is highly toxic, producing effects similar to those of poisoning with belladonna alkaloids, including delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, coma, and possibly death. It has long been associated in folklore with witchcraft and magic and even enjoyed a reputation for a time as an aphrodisiac.

Henle fiber

Henle fiber the cytoplasmic extension that allows a retinal cone in the region of the fovea centralis to reach one of the retinal bipolar cells, all of which are laterally displaced from the fovea. [Friedrich Gustav Jakob Henle (1809–1885), German anatomist]

Henning’s odor prism

Henning’s odor prism a prism-shaped graphic representation of six primary odors and their relationships. Burnt, spicy, resinous, foul, fruity, and flowery are the primary odors that occupy the corners of the prism, and each surface represents the positions of odors that are similar to the primaries at the corners of that surface. Also called Henning’s smell prism. [Hans Henning (1885–1946), German psychologist]

Henning’s taste tetrahedron

Henning’s taste tetrahedron an arrangement to represent four putative primary tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. These basic tastes are at the apices of the tetrahedron; a combination of two qualities, such as salty–bitter (e.g., the taste of potassium chloride), are along the edges,;and tastes combining three qualities, such as salty–sweet–bitter (e.g., the taste of sodium saccharin), are on the faces. The tetrahedron is hollow because Henning believed no chemical could generate all four basic tastes. [proposed in 1927 by Hans Henning]

hepatic encephalopathy

hepatic encephalopathy a metabolic brain disorder marked by tremors with increased muscle tone, mental status changes, and disturbances in personality, mood, and behavior. It is associated with liver disease and an accumulation of ammonia products in the blood and other tissues. Also called portal-systemic encephalopathy.

hepatitis

hepatitis n. inflammation of the liver, marked by diffuse or patchy areas of dead liver cells in the liver lobules. Symptoms, when experienced, range from mild, flulike symptoms to liver failure, which can be fatal. Jaundice and bilirubin coloring of the urine are usual signs. The different forms of viral hepatitis are identified by letters indicating the virus responsible. Hepatitis A is contracted by ingesting contaminated food or water, whereas hepatitis B is usually transmitted by transfusions of contaminated blood, the use of dirty hypodermic needles, or by sexual contact with an infected person. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States; its modes of transmission are similar to those of hepatitis B. Nonviral hepatitis can be caused by toxic substances (e.g., alcohol, medications, chemicals), gall bladder or pancreas disorders, or autoimmune disorders.

HERA

HERA abbreviation for hemispheric encoding–retrieval asymmetry.

herbal ecstasy

herbal ecstasy an over-the-counter stimulant purchased through mail-order catalogs and often confused with MDMA.

herd instinct

herd instinct a drive in nonhuman animals to congregate in flocks and in humans to form social groups. See gregariousness. [defined by William McDougall]

here and now

here and now the immediate situation. In psychotherapy, it comprises the cognitive, affective, and behavioral material arising at any given point in a session, as well as the relationship between the therapist and client at the corresponding point in time. When the here-and-now approach is used in psychotherapy, the emphasis is placed on understanding present feelings and interpersonal reactions as they occur in an ongoing treatment session, with little or no emphasis on or exploration of past experience or underlying reasons for the client’s thoughts, emotions, or behavior. The approach is often used in psychodynamic psychotherapy with regard to the therapeutic relationship, gestalt therapy, and many forms of family therapy to heighten client awareness.

hereditarianism

hereditarianism n. the view that genetic inheritance is the major influence on behavior. Opposed to this view is the belief that environment and learning account for the major differences between people. The question of heredity versus environment or “nature versus nurture” continues to be controversial, especially as it applies to human intelligence. See genetic determinism; nature–nurture. —hereditarian adj.

hereditary ataxia

hereditary ataxia any in a group of heritable disorders characterized by the inability to perform coordinated movements (ataxia), among other clinical features. Examples include ataxia telangiectasia and Friedreich’s ataxia.

hereditary hyperuricemia (hereditary choreoathetosis)

Sorry, "hereditary-hyperuricemia-hereditary-choreoathetosis" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hereditary myopathy

hereditary myopathy see myopathy.

hereditary predisposition

hereditary predisposition see genetic predisposition.

heredity

heredity n. 1. the transmission of traits from parents to their offspring. Study of the mechanisms and laws of heredity is the basis of the science of genetics. Heredity depends upon the character of the genes contained in the parents’ chromosomes, which in turn depends on the particular genetic code carried by the DNA of which the chromosomes are composed. 2. loosely, the sum of the characteristics transmitted from parents to their offspring.

heredity–environment controversy

heredity–environment controversy see nature–nurture.

Hering grays

Hering grays a set of 50 gray papers ranging in subjectively equal steps from extreme white to extreme black. [Ewald Hering]

Hering illusion

Hering illusion a misperception that occurs when two parallel straight lines are superimposed on a pattern of lines that radiate from a central point. When the two lines are placed equidistant from one another on opposite sides of the center point, they appear to be bowed outward from the center, rather than straight. Also called Hering–Helmholtz illusion. [Ewald Hering; Hermann von Helmholtz]

Hering theory of color vision

Hering theory of color vision a theory of color vision postulating that there are three sets of receptors, one of which is sensitive to white and black, another to red and green, and the third to yellow and blue. The breaking down (catabolism) of these substances is supposed to yield one member of these pairs (white, red, or yellow), while the building up (anabolism) of the same substances yields the other (black, green, or blue). Color blindness results from the absence of one or more of the chromatic processes. See opponent process theory of color vision. [proposed in 1875 by Ewald Hering]

Hering–Breuer reflex

Hering–Breuer reflex a nervous mechanism involved in normal breathing, with stimuli from sensory endings in lung tissue limiting inspiration and expiration. [Ewald Hering; Josef Breuer]

Hering’s afterimage

Hering’s afterimage a positive aftersensation of the same hue and saturation as the original stimulus. See afterimage. [Ewald Hering]

heritability

heritability n. 1. the capacity to be inherited. 2. a statistical estimate of the contribution of inheritance to a given trait or function in a population (but not in particular individuals). Heritabilities can range from 0, indicating no contribution of heritable factors, to 1, indicating total contribution of heritable factors. Also called heritability estimate.

heritage

heritage n. 1. any cultural tradition, custom, or resource passed from preceding to successive generations. 2. artworks, historic buildings or monuments, and natural landscapes that are regarded as having special value and are accordingly preserved for future generations. See cultural heritage; social heritage. See also cultural conserve.

hermaphroditism

hermaphroditism n. the condition of possessing both male and female sex organs (in humans, e.g., possessing both ovarian and testicular tissue). Hermaphroditism is very rare and should not be confused with the more common pseudohermaphroditism, in which the gonads are of one sex but the external genitalia are either ambiguous or of the other sex. See also intersex. —hermaphrodite n.

hermeneutics

hermeneutics n. the theory or science of interpretation. Hermeneutics is concerned with the ways in which humans derive meaning from language or other symbolic expression. Originally, the term was confined to the interpretation of Scripture, with an emphasis on generating methods of interpretation that would yield the correct meaning of the text. Subsequently, two main strains of hermeneutic thought developed. One originates the work of German philosopher Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768–1834), who broadened hermeneutics by applying it to the interpretation of texts in general rather than to religious writings in particular. This project was expanded by German philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey (1833–1911) into the interpretation of all forms of cultural expression, including artworks, institutions, and historical events. A key concept in this tradition of hermeneutics is the so-called hermeneutic circle—the notion that interpretation is always circular, in that particulars will necessarily be interpreted in the light of one’s understanding of the whole, and the understanding of the whole will be altered by the understanding of the particulars. Another key assumption is the need to gain insight into the mind of the person or people whose expression is the subject of interpretation. This approach has been criticized on the grounds that such insight is impossible, because there is no access to the mind of another; thus, the methods of hermeneutics will always be imprecise and their results relativistic. A second, more radical, strain of hermeneutics derives from the phenomenology of Edmund Husserl (1859–1938) and the work of German philosopher Martin Heidegger (1889–1976). Heidegger expanded the project of interpretation to include Dasein or human being itself. This suggests that all human behavior can be understood as meaningful expression, much as one would understand a written text. It also turns the process of interpretation back on the interpreter, as the understanding of the being of human beings entails interpretations of interpretive acts. This shift has given rise to a broad movement within philosophy, psychology, and literary criticism in which richness of interpretation is considered more valuable than consistent methodology or arriving at the “correct” interpretation. Such an approach is a clear alternative to a natural scientific psychology. This type of hermeneutics has informed other contemporary movements, notably existentialism, postmodernism, and poststructuralism. —hermeneutic adj.

herniation

herniation n. the abnormal protrusion of an organ or other bodily structure through an opening in a membrane, muscle, or bone.

hero

hero n. in psychodrama, the person (protagonist) who is portraying a problem.

heroin

heroin n. a highly addictive opioid that is a synthetic analog of morphine and three times more potent. In many countries, including Great Britain and Canada, it is used clinically for pain management (see diacetylmorphine), but it is not legally available in the United States due to concerns about its potential for abuse. Its rapid onset of action leads to an intense initial high, followed by a period of euphoria and a sense of well-being. As a street drug, heroin is commonly injected intravenously or subcutaneously (called skin popping). Injection using shared needles is a common mechanism of transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases. It can also be ingested nasally (snorted) or smoked. See opioid intoxication; opioid use disorder; opioid withdrawal.

herpes infection

herpes infection a disease produced by a herpes virus. A herpes infection may be manifested as chicken pox, cold sores, shingles, ulceration of the cornea, encephalitis, stomatitis, or vulvovaginitis (genital herpes). The major strains are herpes varicella-zoster, which causes both chicken pox and shingles; herpes simplex Type 1, the cause of cold sores and sometimes genital herpes; and herpes simplex Type 2, the most frequent cause of genital herpes. See also perinatal herpes-virus infection.

herpes-simplex encephalitis

herpes-simplex encephalitis a form of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) caused by infection with the herpes-simplex virus. Seizures occur repeatedly early in the course of the disease, and there may be serious memory impairment. The virus tends to affect the temporal and frontal lobes. Also called herpes encephalitis.

herpetic neuralgia

herpetic neuralgia pain associated with shingles, caused by reactivation of the herpes varicella-zoster virus (see herpes infection). Following an attack of chicken pox, the virus lies dormant in a dorsal nerve root and ganglion of the spinal cord; when reactivated, it spreads down the sensory nerve, causing vesicle formation and severe, burning, lancinating pain. This acute pain typically resolves in 3 to 5 weeks, but patients often develop the chronic, debilitating pain known as postherpetic neuralgia.

hertz

hertz (symbol: Hz) n. the unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. [Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857–1894), German physicist]

Heschl’s gyrus

Heschl’s gyrus one of several transverse ridges on the upper side of the temporal lobe of the brain that are associated with the sense of hearing. [Richard Heschl (1824–1881), Austrian pathologist who first traced the auditory pathways of humans to this convolution]

hetaeral fantasy

hetaeral fantasy a fantasy in which a woman plays the role of a courtesan. In the male version of the fantasy, the man possesses a courtesan. Also called courtesan fantasy.

hetero-

Sorry, "hetero" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

heterochromic iridocyclitis

heterochromic iridocyclitis see iridocyclitis.

heterochrony

heterochrony n. 1. a difference in the rate of two processes, such as the conduction of nerve impulses. 2. any evolutionary change in the relative time of appearance of maturational features or events or in the rate of development of an organism. Also called heterochronia.

heteroeroticism

heteroeroticism n. an attraction toward the opposite sex, as in heterosexuality. Compare homoeroticism. Also called heteroerotism. —heteroerotic adj.

heterogametic

heterogametic adj. referring to the sex that has two dissimilar sex chromosomes, such as the male sex in mammals and the female sex in birds. Compare homogametic.

heterogamy

heterogamy n. a marriage between partners from dissimilar ethnic, racial, religious, educational, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Compare homogamy.

heterogeneity

heterogeneity n. the quality of having very different characteristics or values. For example, heterogeneity of variance is present in an analysis of variance when the average squared distance of each score from the mean differs for each group in the study (e.g., control group vs. treatment group). Compare homogeneity.

heterogeneity of variance

heterogeneity of variance the situation in which the variance of a random variable is different at each level or value of another variable. Var(y|x) is not the same for all values of x; that is, the variance in y is a function of the variable x. Heterogeneity of variance violates one of the basic assumptions of regression analysis and other statistical procedures. Also called heteroscedasticity. Compare homogeneity of variance.

heterogeneous

heterogeneous adj. composed of diverse elements. Compare homogeneous.

heterogeneous group

heterogeneous group an aggregate of individuals or other elements that are different from one another in a number of significant respects. In a social context, for example, a heterogeneous group might differ in age, socioeconomic background, values, work experience, education, and so on. In an educational context, heterogeneous groups may be entire classes or smaller groups of students of varying ability who work together in a specific area, such as art or reading. Compare homogeneous group.

heterohypnosis

heterohypnosis n. a state of hypnosis induced in one person by another. Compare self-hypnosis.

heterolalia

heterolalia n. see heterophemy.

heteromorphosis

heteromorphosis n. 1. abnormal shape or structure. 2. the development of a regenerated organ or structure that is different from the one that was lost.

heteronomous

heteronomous adj. under the control of or influenced by various external factors. Compare autonomous.

heteronomous stage

heteronomous stage in Jean Piaget’s theory of moral development, the stage during which the child, approximately 6 to 10 years of age, equates morality with the rules and principles of his or her parents and other authority figures. That is, the child evaluates the rightness or wrongness of an act only in terms of adult sanctions for or against it and of the consequences or possible punishment it may bring. Also called heteronomous morality. See also immanent justice; moral absolutism; moral realism. Compare autonomous stage; premoral stage.

heteronomy

heteronomy n. a state of dependence on others and lack of self-determination. Compare autonomy.

heteronormativity

heteronormativity n. the assumption that heterosexuality is the standard for defining normal sexual behavior and that male–female differences and gender roles are the natural and immutable essentials in normal human relations. According to some social theorists, this assumption is fundamentally embedded in, and legitimizes, social and legal institutions that devalue, marginalize, and discriminate against people who deviate from its normative principle (e.g., gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered persons). See also heterosexism. [coined in 1991 by U.S. social theorist Michael Warner]

heteronymous hemianopia

heteronymous hemianopia a visual field defect in which vision in either the left or right half of both eyes is absent due to a lesion in the optic chiasm. See hemianopia.

heteronymous reflex

heteronymous reflex a reflex elicited by stimulation in one muscle of a synergistic group that results in contraction of another muscle in the same group. Compare homonymous reflex.

heterophemy

heterophemy n. the act of saying or writing a word or phrase other than the words intended. Often, the substitution conveys the opposite meaning to what the individual intended. Also called heterolalia; heterophasia; heterophemia. See also Freudian slip; slip of the tongue.

heterophilia

heterophilia n. love of, or attraction to, members of the opposite sex.

heterophily

heterophily n. 1. any tendency for individuals who differ from one another in some way to make social connections. It is less common than homophily. Complementarity, which occurs when people with different but complementary characteristics form a relationship, is an example of heterophily. 2. the degree of dissimilarity between individuals who share social ties.

heterophoria

heterophoria n. the deviation of an eye because of an imbalance in the extrinsic eye muscles.

heteroscedasticity

heteroscedasticity n. see heterogeneity of variance. —heteroscedastic adj.

heterosexism

heterosexism n. prejudice against any nonheterosexual form of behavior, relationship, or community, particularly the denigration of lesbians, gay men, and those who are bisexual or transgender. Whereas homophobia generally refers to an individual’s fear or dread of gay men or lesbians, heterosexism denotes a wider system of beliefs, attitudes, and institutional structures that attach value to heterosexuality and disparage alternative sexual behavior and orientation. See also heteronormativity.

Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale

Heterosexual–Homosexual Rating Scale see Kinsey Scale.

heterosexuality

heterosexuality n. sexual attraction to or activity between members of the opposite sex. —heterosexual adj.

heterosis

heterosis n. see hybrid vigor.

heterosociality

heterosociality n. relationships on a social (rather than a sexual or romantic) level between people of opposite sexes.

heterostasis

heterostasis n. an organism’s seeking of maximal stimulation. [defined by A. Harry Klopf]

heterotopia

heterotopia n. the congenital development of gray matter in the area of the brain and spinal cord normally consisting of white matter.

heterotropia

heterotropia n. see strabismus.

heterozygous

heterozygous adj. possessing different forms of a gene (i.e., different alleles) at a given genetic locus on each of a pair of homologous chromosomes. One allele is inherited from the mother and the other from the father. In such individuals, the dominant allele is expressed, and the recessive allele is not. Compare homozygous. —heterozygote n.

heuristic

heuristic n. 1. in cognition, an experience-based strategy for solving a problem or making a decision that often provides an efficient means of finding an answer but cannot guarantee a correct outcome. By contrast, an algorithm guarantees a solution but may be much less efficient. Some heuristics, such as the availability heuristic or representativeness heuristic, involve systematic bias. Also called cognitive heuristic. [introduced by Herbert A. Simon; developed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky] 2. in the social sciences, a conceptual device, such as a model or working hypothesis, that is intended to explore or limit the possibilities of a question rather than to provide an explanation of the facts. Also called heuristic model. See also as-if hypothesis; construct. 3. in ergonomics, a procedure in which several experts, working independently, evaluate a product or system according to established usability guidelines and produce structured reports noting any failings. The advantage of this type of evaluation is that it is relatively simple and cheap. The chief disadvantage is that it does not involve testing among target users and so may not identify problems experienced by particular groups (e.g., those with a different cultural background). Compare task analysis.

heuristic search

heuristic search a search through a problem space that is optimized by the use of strategies that reduce the number of possible paths to a solution that need to be attempted. See best-first search.

heuristic value

heuristic value the potential to stimulate or encourage further thinking.

heuristic-systematic model (HSM)

Sorry, "heuristic-systematic-model-hsm" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Heymans’s law

Heymans’s law the generalization that sensitivity to one stimulus decreases with increases in the intensity of another, concurrent, stimulus. [Corneille Heymans (1892–1968), Belgian physiologist]

Heywood case

Heywood case any correlation coefficient, regression coefficient, factor loading, or similar parameter estimate having a value that is impossible or very rare (e.g., a negative error variance estimate). Heywood cases may indicate any of the following: a sample that is too small to adequately estimate the parameters; data that do not have a normal distribution or that contain outliers; a misspecified model that is not appropriate for the data; or a parameter whose true value is so close to a boundary (e.g., 1 or 0) in the population that its estimate exceeded this limit due to sampling fluctuation.

HFA

HFA abbreviation for high-functioning autism.

HGPRT

HGPRT abbreviation for hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase.

Hi-Wa itck

Hi-Wa itck a culture-bound syndrome found in Mohave American Indian populations that includes symptoms such as depression, insomnia, loss of appetite, and sometimes suicide associated with unwanted separation from a loved one; it generally affects the young wife of an older Mohave male.

hibernation

hibernation n. a period of inactivity accompanied by a significant decrease in body temperature that occurs in certain warm-blooded vertebrates in temperate or arctic environments during winter. Body temperature may drop to within a few degrees of freezing. Activity of endocrine glands decreases during this period, but no single gland has been found to control hibernation. Some species (e.g., bears) consume large quantities of food before hibernation and maintain bodily functions with energy from fat deposits, but others (e.g., golden hamsters) store food and leave hibernation periodically to feed. Cold-blooded animals become dormant in cold temperatures. —hibernate vb.

Hick’s law

Hick’s law in experiments or tasks involving choice reaction time, the finding that the time required to classify a stimulus as being from a particular set increases proportionally with the number of stimuli in the set. Also called Hick–Hyman law. [William Edmund Hick (1912–1974), British psychologist; Ray Hyman (1928– ), U.S. cognitive psychologist]

Hidden Figures Test

Hidden Figures Test see Embedded Figures Test.

hidden grief

hidden grief see disenfranchised grief.

hidden observer

hidden observer an intrapsychic entity with awareness of experiences that occur outside of an individual’s consciousness, hypothesized to explain the dissociative phenomenon in which a hypnotized person who has been told to block certain stimuli (e.g., pain induced by ice-cold water) still registers the blocked sensation via hand signals even while verbally denying it. It is as if a dissociated observer is registering the stimuli that the hypnotized person has successfully blocked. Posthypnotically, such individuals may recall auditory, visual, or tactile stimuli to which they appeared oblivious at the time. See also neodissociation theory. [investigated by Ernest R. Hilgard]

hidden profile task

hidden profile task a group problem-solving task whose solution can only be obtained when group members effectively pool their individual information about alternatives. A hidden profile is said to exist when the group collectively has more information supporting one alternative over others, but the superiority of this alternative is obscured from individual members unless information is shared. [first identified in 1985 by U.S. social psychologists Garold Stasser (1947– ) and William Titus]

hidden variable

hidden variable an undiscovered causative variable. When a relationship is found between variables x and y, variable x may erroneously be thought to be the cause of y. However, the cause of y may be a hidden variable z that is correlated with variable x. Also called lurking variable; third variable. See third-variable problem.

hidden-clue test

hidden-clue test a test in which the participant must discover a particular feature of the stimulus situation that is the clue to a reward.

hierarchical clustering

hierarchical clustering a multistage procedure in which entities are grouped into ever larger and more heterogeneous clusters or separated into ever smaller and more homogeneous clusters (see cluster analysis). The most common form of hierarchical clustering is agglomerative clustering, in which the individual entities are first paired, then these pairs are paired, and so on until ultimately all entities form a single large group or cluster. A second form of hierarchical clustering is divisive clustering, in which all entities initially are part of one large group which is split into progressively smaller groups according to dissimilarity until ultimately each entity is in its own group or cluster. The outcome of both types of hierarchical clustering may be represented graphically as a dendrogram.

hierarchical design

hierarchical design see hierarchically nested design.

hierarchical linear model (HLM)

Sorry, "hierarchical-linear-model-hlm" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hierarchical model

hierarchical model a statistical procedure that takes into account situations in which lower level variables or entities are part of a larger set or sets. For example, a hierarchical factor analysis model posits that relationships among a subset of lower level primary variables (e.g., verbal, mathematical, and social intelligence) can be explained by a higher order or general factor (e.g., general intelligence). Similarly, a hierarchical linear model is a particular type of hierarchical model that includes several levels of actual variables as components of a progressively larger overall set. Also called nested model.

hierarchical model of personality

hierarchical model of personality a model of either within-person dynamics or individual differences in personality in which some psychological constructs are viewed as high-level variables that organize or govern the functioning of other lower level variables. For example, a hierarchical model of personality traits might view the construct sociability as being at a lower level in a hierarchy than the construct extraversion: Sociability would be seen as a form or example of the higher level trait of extraversion.

hierarchical regression

hierarchical regression a statistical procedure in which hypothesized predictors of a dependent variable are included in an analysis in several steps that illuminate the contribution of each set of variables. For example, a researcher interested in predicting career satisfaction could use hierarchical regression to assess the contribution of individual-level variables (e.g., career influence), institutional-level variables (e.g., work climate), and interactional-level variables (e.g., work respect). Also called hierarchical multiple regression; hierarchical regression analysis; sequential regression. See also multiple regression. Compare simultaneous regression.

hierarchical theory of intelligence

hierarchical theory of intelligence any theory of intelligence postulating that the abilities constituting intelligence are arranged in a series of levels (of a hierarchy) ranging from general to specific. Many of these theories are based on recognizing three levels of factors, first proposed by U.S. psychologist Karl J. Holzinger (1892–1954): (a) the general factor, applying to all intellectual tasks; (b) group factors, which apply to some but not all intellectual tasks; and (c) specific factors, applying to individual tasks. Examples of such theories are the three-stratum model of intelligence and the Cattell–Horn theory of intelligence.

hierarchically nested design

hierarchically nested design any research design that involves several levels of sampling, such that the entities on the lower levels of the design are nested or subsumed within higher order groups. For example, a hierarchically nested design for an educational study might involve students (A), who are nested within classrooms (B), which are nested within schools (C), which are further nested within school districts (D). Several statistical procedures (e.g., analysis of variance, regression analysis, hierarchical linear models) also incorporate a hierarchical aspect. Also called hierarchical design; nested design.

hierarchization

hierarchization n. in Piagetian theory, the process whereby each current cognitive structure can be traced to earlier, more primitive structures that were necessary for the attainment of the more advanced structure.

hierarchy

hierarchy n. 1. a clear ordering of individuals on some behavioral dimension, such as dominance–submission. A linear hierarchy occurs when all individuals can be arrayed in a strict transitive order along a continuum (see dominance hierarchy; organizational hierarchy). Often, however, a hierarchy is more complex, with some individuals having equal status or acting in coalitions, or with ordering based on different factors (see animal dominance). 2. in neuroscience, an organization of control systems such that one area of the brain controls another, which in turn may control neuromuscular action.

hierarchy of motives (hierarchy of needs)

Sorry, "hierarchy-of-motives-hierarchy-of-needs" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hierarchy of response

hierarchy of response see response hierarchy.

hierarchy-legitimizing myth

hierarchy-legitimizing myth see social dominance theory.

high

high n. slang for the subjective feelings of intoxication experienced following ingestion of psychoactive drugs.

high blood pressure

high blood pressure see hypertension.

high chromaticity

high chromaticity see color purity.

high resolution

high resolution the ability to distinguish as separate entities two stimuli that are very close to one another in some dimension.

high risk

high risk significantly heightened vulnerability to a disorder or disease. An individual’s risk status is influenced by genetic, physical, and behavioral factors or conditions. For example, children of a parent with bipolar disorder have a much greater risk of developing the disorder than other children, and individuals who engage in unprotected sex are at high risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

High School Personality Questionnaire (HSPQ)

Sorry, "high-school-personality-questionnaire-hspq" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

high threshold

high threshold a threshold that is never exceeded unless a signal is present. Classical psychophysics assumes a high threshold, although some psychophysical models combine high thresholds with low thresholds, which can be exceeded by random noise.

high-altitude cerebral edema

high-altitude cerebral edema see acute mountain sickness.

high-functioning autism (HFA)

Sorry, "high-functioning-autism-hfa" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

high-involvement management

high-involvement management an approach to managing organizations that attempts to tap the potential of employees by obtaining input from them on decisions, sharing information about the business with them, providing training to enhance their skills, and providing incentives for becoming skilled and committed. [described by U.S. management theorist Edward E. Lawler III (1938– )]

high-pass filter

high-pass filter see filter.

high-potency antipsychotic

high-potency antipsychotic any of various conventional antipsychotics that have either a relatively high degree of affinity for the dopamine D2 receptor or significant extrapyramidal symptoms. High-potency antipsychotics include fluphenazine, haloperidol, thiothixene (see thioxanthene), trifluoperazine, and pimozide.

high-risk design

high-risk design a research design used to study individuals or groups in which there is thought to be a high probability of some disorder. For example, a high-risk design could be used to study families in which one or more individuals have bipolar disorder so as to gauge the likelihood of additional family members subsequently experiencing the disorder.

high-technology assistive device

high-technology assistive device a device using complex electronics, such as a computerized communications system or a motorized wheelchair, to enhance the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. The device may require individualized adaptation and training. See assistive technology.

higher brain center

higher brain center loosely, any part of the cerebrum associated with cognitive processes, such as learning and memory.

higher level skill

higher level skill a work method or ability that can be applied to many tasks rather than one particular task.

higher mental process

higher mental process any of the more complex types of cognition, such as thinking, judgment, imagination, memory, and language.

higher order conditioning

higher order conditioning in classical conditioning, a procedure in which the conditioned stimulus of one experiment acts as the unconditioned stimulus of another, for the purpose of conditioning a neutral stimulus. For example, after pairing a tone with food, and establishing the tone as a conditioned stimulus that elicits salivation, a light could be paired with the tone. If the light alone comes to elicit salivation, then higher order conditioning has occurred.

higher order consciousness

higher order consciousness nonsensory conscious experiences, including abstract ideas, language-dependent thinking, and self-consciousness. Compare sensory consciousness. [proposed by U.S. neuroscientist Gerald M. Edelman (1929–2014) and others]

higher order construct

higher order construct any large, coherent construct that is used to organize information and to integrate it into one’s general knowledge.

higher order correlation

higher order correlation see partial correlation.

higher order design

higher order design any research design that attempts to understand a phenomenon by assessing the separate and joint effects of several factors at once. For example, an experiment could be conducted to assess the effect of a treatment condition versus a control condition on cognitive functioning while simultaneously assessing the influence of gender; this would allow an assessment of the main effects for each factor (treatment condition and gender) as well as the interaction between them.

higher order interaction

higher order interaction in an analysis of variance, the joint effect of three or more independent variables on the dependent variable. For example, a researcher could conduct a study to assess the effect of a particular treatment (e.g., treatment vs. no treatment) as well as the effect of education level and socioeconomic status on cognitive functioning. This design would allow an examination of the main effects for treatment, education, and socioeconomic status individually; the two-way interactions between treatment and education, education and socioeconomic status, and treatment and socioeconomic status; and the higher order three-way interaction between treatment, education, and socioeconomic status.

higher order processes

higher order processes see executive functions.

higher order thought

higher order thought often, a synonym for conscious thought: any of the deliberate, complex cognitive processes of which one is explicitly aware and that are crucial to one’s intentional action and other self-referential activities. Higher order thought thus may be considered equivalent to executive functions and includes any of a variety of acts that involve the access and manipulation of self-knowledge, such as conceptualization, evaluation, introspection, and reflection. U.S. philosopher David M. Rosenthal has extended this idea into higher order thought theory, which specifies that a mental state is conscious only if one thinks deliberately about it such that one knows the state is being experienced and can report on it. Others (e.g., U.S. philosopher William G. Lycan [1945– ]) advocate a higher order perception theory, in which consciousness arises from self-monitoring by a quasi-perceptual faculty; still others (e.g., U.S. philosopher Rocco J. Gennaro) propose a higher order global state theory, in which meta-activity is key.

higher response unit

higher response unit a complex response or act consisting of multiple simple responses or acts.

highway hypnosis

highway hypnosis a colloquial name for accident proneness resulting from a state of drowsy inattention experienced during long-distance driving on monotonous roads.

hilus

hilus n. see dentate gyrus.

hindbrain

hindbrain n. the posterior of three bulges that appear in the embryonic brain as it develops from the neural tube. The bulge eventually becomes the medulla oblongata, pons, and cerebellum. Also called rhombencephalon.

hindsight bias

hindsight bias the tendency, after an event has occurred, to overestimate the extent to which the outcome could have been foreseen. Hindsight bias stems from (a) cognitive inputs—people selectively recall information consistent with what they now know to be true; (b) metacognitive inputs—people may misattribute their ease of understanding an outcome to its assumed prior likelihood; and (c) motivational inputs—people have a need to see the world as orderly and predictable.

Hindu caste system

Hindu caste system see caste.

Hinduism

Hinduism n. the name, invented by Europeans, for the religion of the majority of the inhabitants of the Indian subcontinent. Indians who are not followers of the distinct teachings of Islam, Jainism, or Sikhism are generally referred to as Hindus. In India, the religious complex of such people is called sanatana-dharma, “the eternal religion,” because it has incorporated all aspects of truth for many centuries. As a religion based on mythology, it has neither a founder nor a fixed canon. Myriad local cults and traditions of worship or belief can be distinguished. Common to all Hindus, however, is the teaching of the law of karma. The three most significant devotional movements in present-day Hinduism are Vaishnavism, devoted to the god Vishnu; Shaivism, devoted to the god Shiva; and Tantrism, or Shaktism, devoted to the goddess Shakti. Tantrism is of particular interest in psychology in that Shakti is the personification of the fundamental creative force whose primary expression is the sexual energy that unites the polarity of male and female and brings forth new life.

hinge

hinge n. in exploratory data analysis, either of the scores in a data set that divide the lower 25% of cases (the lower hinge) and the upper 25% of cases (the upper hinge) from the remainder of the cases.

hippie (hippy)

Sorry, "hippie-hippy" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hippocampal formation

hippocampal formation a region of the brain located in the medial temporal lobe and concerned with the consolidation of long-term memory. It comprises the dentate gyrus, hippocampus, and subiculum and communicates with areas of neocortex via the entorhinal cortex.

hippocampal gyrus

hippocampal gyrus see subiculum.

hippocampus

hippocampus n. (pl. hippocampi) a seahorse-shaped part of the forebrain, in the basal medial region of the temporal lobe, that is important for declarative memory and learning. Because of its resemblance to a ram’s horn, 19th-century neuroanatomists named it Ammon’s horn (cornu ammonis; CA) for the horn of the ram that represented the Egyptian deity Ammon. Parts of the hippocampus were then labeled CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4; these designations are still used for the different regions of the hippocampus. See hippocampal formation; Papez circuit. —hippocampal adj.

hippotherapy

hippotherapy n. the therapeutic use of horses to help people with physical and developmental disabilities improve their balance, coordination, posture, and mobility. During each 30-minute hippotherapy session, the client sits or lies on the horse, and a therapist evaluates and positively influences the client’s neuromuscular responses to the animal’s movement while an equine handler adjusts its gait, tempo, and direction. One or two sidewalkers next to the horse accompany the client for safety purposes. The therapists who conduct such sessions are specially trained physical, occupational, and speech and language therapists who offer hippotherapy as part of their broader, occupation-specific spectrum of activities. The handlers themselves are hippotherapy-certified. The therapy is most commonly used for people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. In addition to its physical benefits, it often improves the client’s affect, self-confidence, communication skills, spatial awareness, sensory integration, and social interaction. Hippotherapy is distinct from equine-assisted psychotherapy, which uses horses to help clients achieve personal and relational change. See also animal-assisted therapy.

HIPS

HIPS abbreviation for Harvey Impostor Phenomenon Scale. See impostor phenomenon.

hircine

hircine adj. in the Zwaardemaker smell system, denoting a quality that is smelled in goaty odors and rancid fat. See also caprylic.

hired gun

hired gun a colloquial name for an expert witness who testifies in a manner that best suits his or her client, with little regard for any inaccuracies or misrepresentations of fact that might occur.

HIS

HIS abbreviation for healthcare information system. See information systems.

Hispanic/Latino

Sorry, "hispanic-latino" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

histamine

histamine n. a compound that is synthesized from the amino acid histidine by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase. Most histamine in humans is localized in peripheral tissues, where it is involved in allergic reactions or the inflammatory response to injury, causing dilation of blood vessels. In the brain, histamine acts as a neurotransmitter to modulate such functions as arousal, appetite, and regulation of autonomic functions. Histamine receptors can be divided into three categories, designated H1, H2, and H3 receptors. Many antidepressants and antipsychotics may block histamine receptors in the brain, causing sedation and other side effects.

histamine antagonist

histamine antagonist see antihistamine.

histamine headache

histamine headache see cluster headache.

histo- (hist-)

Sorry, "histo-hist" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

histogenesis

histogenesis n. the formation of body tissues.

histogram

histogram n. a graphical depiction of continuous data using bars of varying height, similar to a bar graph but with blocks on the x-axis adjoining one another so as to denote their continuous nature. For example, to show the average credit card debt of individuals, bars along the x-axis would represent amount of debt and would be connected to one another, while the heights of the bars would represent the number or frequency of individuals with each debt amount.

histology

histology n. the scientific study of the microscopic structure and organization of body tissues. —histological adj. —histologist n.

historical analysis

historical analysis research that examines past events to understand current or future events. For example, researchers could perform a historical analysis of an individual’s or a family’s substance use experiences to understand the present substance use behavior of that person or group.

historical control group

historical control group a control group whose participants are selected to be similar to those in the treatment group on the basis of data collected some time in the past.

historical fallacy

historical fallacy an error of interpretation in which one reads into a process, either as a cause or an essential element, what only comes about as the result of the process. For example, a man has lost his wallet but can think of several places where he might have left it. When he finds it in the first place that he looks, he assumes falsely that he knew where the wallet was all along. His error is to suppose that a state of affairs arising from the process of looking (knowing where the wallet is) was in fact the cause of the process. The term was introduced by John Dewey in his classic paper, “The Reflex Arc Concept in Psychology” (1896), where he argued that psychology was committing this fallacy in its attempts to isolate one set of events termed responses from another set termed stimuli and to show that the former result from the latter. See also reverse causality.

historical linguistics

historical linguistics the study of how language evolves and changes over time. See also comparative linguistics; diachronic linguistics; genetic linguistics; philology.

historical method

historical method the technique of analyzing, counseling, or otherwise offering therapy by focusing on a client’s personal history.

historical prospective study

historical prospective study a research project that examines longitudinal data obtained in the past to track the incidence of a particular disorder over time and its association with various risk factors. For example, a researcher could examine the health records of smokers and nonsmokers to follow the path of an illness from before its manifestation through to its diagnosis and treatment. It is distinct from prospective research generally, which begins with individuals who are apparently healthy in the present and moves forward to investigate whether a specific disorder will occur over time.

historical psychoanalysis

historical psychoanalysis see psychohistory.

historical trauma

historical trauma see intergenerational trauma. [term introduced in 1988 by American Indian clinical social worker Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart]

historicism

historicism n. 1. the belief that the study of history can reveal general laws governing historical events and social and cultural phenomena and that these laws may allow for predictions of the future. 2. the notion that beliefs, values, and cultural products are determined by their historical context and can only be understood in this context.

history effect

history effect the influence of events or circumstances outside an experiment on an outcome variable of interest. Quasi-experimental research often attempts to take history effects into account in order to rule out potential confounds to a posited or apparent link between two variables. An example would be the occurrence of an actual earthquake during a field study of the effects of training in earthquake preparedness; this would likely increase news coverage of earthquakes, thereby resulting in greater knowledge dissemination outside of the training program.

history taking

history taking the process of compiling background information about a patient or research participant. Information can be obtained from the individual directly and from other sources, such as the individual’s family, hospitals or clinics, psychiatrists or psychologists, neurologists, social workers, and others who have direct knowledge of the individual. See anamnesis.

histrionic personality disorder

histrionic personality disorder in DSM–IV–TR and DSM–5, a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of long-term (rather than episodic) self-dramatization in which individuals draw attention to themselves, crave activity and excitement, overreact to minor events, experience angry outbursts, and are prone to manipulative suicide threats and gestures. Such individuals appear to others to be shallow, egocentric, inconsiderate, vain, demanding, dependent, and helpless. The disorder was formerly known as hysterical personality disorder.

hit

hit n. the accurate identification of a signal in a signal detection task. Compare miss. HIT acronym for Holtzman Inkblot Technique.

HIT

hit n. the accurate identification of a signal in a signal detection task. Compare miss. HIT acronym for Holtzman Inkblot Technique.

hit rate

hit rate in signal detection tasks, the proportion of trials in which a signal is present and the participant correctly responds that it is.

HIV

HIV human immunodeficiency virus: a parasitic agent in blood, semen, and vaginal fluid that destroys a class of lymphocytes with a crucial role in the immune response. HIV infection can occur by various routes—unprotected sexual intercourse, administration of contaminated blood products, sharing of contaminated needles and syringes by intravenous drug users, or transmission from an infected mother to her child in utero or through breast feeding—and is characterized by a gradual deterioration of immune function that can progress to AIDS. The diagnosis of HIV infection remains stigmatizing in some cultures and can result in considerable emotional stress and social ostracism.

HIV dementia

HIV dementia see AIDS dementia complex.

HIV/AIDS counseling

Sorry, "hiv-aids-counseling" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hives

hives n. a temporary inflammation of the skin marked by outbreaks of burning and itching swellings. The condition may be caused by psychogenic factors or by an allergy, such as to a food. Also called urticaria.

HLM

HLM abbreviation for hierarchical linear model.

HM

HM the initials of a patient, Henry Molaison (1926–2008), who became amnesic after undergoing bilateral temporal lobectomy in 1953 for the relief of intractable seizures. The case of HM, who was a patient of U.S. neurologist William Beecher Scoville (1906–1984), demonstrated the critical role of the hippocampus and surrounding structures in the process of memory formation and storage.

hMG

hMG abbreviation for human menopausal gonadotropin.

HMO

HMO health maintenance organization: a health plan that offers a range of services through a specified network of health professionals and facilities to subscribing members for a fixed fee. Members select a primary care provider who coordinates all care and all services. Services may need further approval from the HMO utilization program. The HMO is reimbursed through fixed, periodic prepayments (capitated rates) by, or on behalf of, each member for a specified period of time. HMOs may subcapitate, or carve out, certain services, such as mental health, to other groups. See capitation.

ho’oponopono

ho’oponopono n. in Hawaiian culture, a type of group process, similar to family therapy, in which the ‘ohana or a similar group addresses its personal and family problems in order to restore harmony within the group.

hoarding

hoarding n. 1. the carrying and storing of food or other items believed necessary for survival, which has been identified as either instinctive behavior, learned behavior, or both. For example, hoarding by rodents varies with the environmental temperature, increasing when the temperature falls and decreasing as the temperature rises. See food caching. 2. a compulsion that involves the persistent collection of useless or trivial items (e.g., old newspapers, garbage, magazines) and an inability to organize or discard these. The accumulation of items (usually in piles) leads to the obstruction of living space, causing distress or impairing function. Any attempt or encouragement by others to discard hoards causes extreme anxiety. It is formally recognized as hoarding disorder in DSM–5, where it is listed in the same diagnostic category as obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders. See also cluttering. —hoard vb., n.

hoarding orientation

hoarding orientation in the existential psychoanalysis of Erich Fromm, a character pattern in which the individual doubts that personal needs can ever be completely satisfied and bases his or her sense of security on what he or she can save and own. The character is thought to be rigid, stubborn, and obsessively orderly. Also called hoarding character. See also anal personality. Compare exploitative orientation; marketing orientation.

hoarseness

hoarseness n. an abnormally rough, harsh, or strained quality in the voice that may be produced by any interference with optimal adduction of the vocal cords, including that caused by overuse of the voice, damage to the larynx, or such disorders as gastric reflux and thyroid disease.

Hoffmann’s sign

Hoffmann’s sign a sign of brain disease in individuals with hemiplegia: Flicking or nipping the nail of the second, third, or fourth finger will, if the reflex is present, cause a flexion in these fingers and the thumb. Also called Hoffmann’s reflex. [Johann Hoffmann (1857–1919), German neurologist]

hol-

Sorry, "hol" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hold functions

hold functions cognitive abilities—such as those involved in vocabulary and verbal knowledge—that typically remain stable throughout much of the adult lifespan or improve with aging as observed on intellectual or cognitive tests (e.g., the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale). Compare don’t-hold functions.

holding environment

holding environment 1. in the object relations theory of British psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott (1896–1971), that aspect of the mother experienced by the infant as the environment that literally—and figuratively, by demonstrating highly focused attention and concern—holds him or her comfortingly during calm states. This is in contrast to the mother who is experienced as the object of the infant’s excited states. 2. in psychoanalysis, any therapeutic space that allows an emotionally fragile or insecure person to deal with affects that might potentially be overwhelming.

holdover effect

holdover effect see carryover effect.

holiday syndrome

holiday syndrome the sadness, anxiety, and pessimism that often occur during major holiday periods. Severe depression, serious injuries, suicides, and fatal accidents tend to increase during these periods. Also called holiday blues.

holism

holism n. any approach or theory holding that a system or organism is a coherent, unified whole that cannot be fully explained in terms of individual parts or characteristics. The system or organism may have properties as a complete entity or phenomenon in addition to those of its parts. Thus, an analysis or understanding of the parts does not provide an understanding of the whole. —holistic adj.

holistic education

holistic education a form of psychotherapy, derived from the approach of holistic health, in which the therapist serves as a teacher and the client as student. The therapist aims to create conditions in which the student may choose to learn. For maximum growth, all aspects of the client’s physical, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual life are explored and developed. [developed by U.S. psychologist William C. Schutz (1925–2002)]

holistic healing

holistic healing a health care concept based on the premise that body, mind, and spirit function as a harmonious unit and that an adverse effect on one also adversely affects the others, requiring treatment of the whole to restore the harmonious balance.

holistic health

holistic health a concept that medical practice, in the prevention and treatment of disease, should focus on the whole person—including physical, mental, spiritual, social, and environmental aspects—rather than on disease symptoms alone. Major features of holistic health include patient education about behavioral and attitudinal changes that promote and maintain good health and well-being, and patient self-help and participation in the healing process through diet, exercise, and other measures. It is often practiced in tandem with conventional medicine (e.g., medication, surgery) and with complementary and alternative medicine. Also called holistic medicine.

holistic psychology

holistic psychology an approach to psychology based on the view that psychological phenomena must be studied as wholes, or that individuals are biological, psychological, and sociocultural totalities that cannot be fully explained in terms of individual components or characteristics. Holistic psychology is not a specific school but a perspective that informs the theories, methodologies, and practice of certain approaches, such as humanistic psychology and client-centered therapy.

Hollingshead scales

Hollingshead scales several measures of individual socioeconomic status based on education and occupation. They include the Hollingshead Four-Factor Index of Social Status and the earlier Hollingshead Two-Factor Index of Social Position. [August B. Hollingshead (1907–1980), U.S. sociologist]

hollow-square puzzle

hollow-square puzzle an exercise sometimes used in team-building interventions designed to enhance collaboration and communication. The task requires the group to assemble a model from various constituent pieces, some of which are shared among the group and some of which are held by individual group members.

Holmes’s phenomenon

Holmes’s phenomenon see rebound phenomenon. [Gordon M. Holmes (1876–1965), British neurologist]

Holmgren Test for Color Blindness

Holmgren Test for Color Blindness one of the first standardized tests for color blindness, which required the participant to match skeins of colored yarns with standard skeins. [devised in 1879 by A. Frithiof Holmgren (1831–1897), Swedish physiologist]

holo- (hol-)

Sorry, "holo-hol" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hologram

hologram n. an interference pattern that appears as a three-dimensional image of an object.

holographic brain theory

holographic brain theory a model of brain function suggesting that neuronal processes operate by means of fieldlike states of wave interference similar to holograms. Also called holonomic brain theory. [originated by Karl H. Pribram]

holography

holography n. a method of producing three-dimensional images by using interference patterns made by light waves. The technique is used in photography and has been suggested as an explanation for the process by which images may be formed in the mind. —holographic adj.

holonomic brain theory

holonomic brain theory see holographic brain theory.

holophrase

holophrase n. one of the single-word utterances characteristic of children in the early stages of language acquisition, such as dada or yes. These are considered to involve a speech act going beyond the literal meaning of the single word so that, for example, cookie means I want a cookie now. See rich interpretation. —holophrastic adj.

holophrastic stage

holophrastic stage see one-word stage.

Holtzman Inkblot Technique (HIT)

Sorry, "holtzman-inkblot-technique-hit" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hom-

Sorry, "hom" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

HOME

HOME acronym for Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment.

home and community-based services (HCBS)

Sorry, "home-and-community-based-services-hcbs" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

home cage

home cage a cage in which a nonhuman animal is housed when it is not engaged in an experimental session.

home care

home care patient care in the home for people with physical or mental disabilities, including older adults with dementia or bodily weakness. Home care is an alternative to institutionalization, enabling the patient to live in familiar surroundings and preserve family ties. Services such as nursing care, administration of medication, therapeutic baths, physical therapy, and occupational therapy are provided by visiting professionals or paraprofessionals connected with clinics, hospitals, or health agencies. Also called home health care.

home health aide

home health aide a specially trained person who works with a social services agency or a local visiting nurse association to provide personal care services, such as bathing, light meal preparation, and dressing, to people with disabilities. See also homemaker home health aide.

home health care

home health care see home care.

Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME)

Sorry, "home-observation-for-measurement-of-the-environment-home" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

home range

home range the entire space through which a nonhuman animal moves during its normal activities. The space may or may not be defended from other members of the same species. The part of the home range in which the greatest activity occurs is known as the core area. Home range (or secondary territory) differs from primary territory (see territoriality), which is an actively defended specific area, and from personal space, which is the defended space that moves with an individual.

home schooling

home schooling 1. formal instruction of a student in his or her home or other private setting, often by one or both parents or by a tutor. Instruction must meet the preset requirements of a school district, a state, or both. 2. education in a home environment of one family’s children or a group of unrelated children.

home visit

home visit a visit to an individual at home by a professional or paraprofessional, such as a psychologist, physician, nurse, social worker, or rehabilitation therapist, for crisis intervention, aftercare, or other assistance in solving personal problems.

home-based reinforcement

home-based reinforcement an intervention in which a teacher provides notes about a student’s inappropriate classroom behavior or poor academic performance to his or her parents, who in turn use rewards (e.g., tangible items, earned privileges, verbal praise) and sanctions (e.g., time out, loss of privileges) to encourage positive change. Research has shown that numerous benefits arise from parents and teachers working together in this way: Students tend to earn higher grades, perform better on tests, attend school more regularly, have better behavior, and show more positive attitudes toward themselves and toward school.

home-service agency

home-service agency a group (e.g., a public health, social service, or voluntary organization) that provides home health aides or homemaker home health aides for people with mental or physical disabilities. The personnel generally are paraprofessionals who are recruited, trained, and supervised by another agency, such as a visiting nurse association or a hospital with a home-care unit.

homelessness

homelessness n. the condition of being without a permanent residence due to economic inability or mental or physical incapacity to maintain a residence, housing shortages, barriers to accessing adequate, affordable housing, or any combination of these and other factors. Occurring in towns and smaller communities as well as major cities, homelessness is a complex social problem with no single explanation for its occurrence. Contributing factors tend to be categorized as structural or individual. Structural causes relate to large-scale societal issues, such as unemployment and poverty, the housing market, and the general state of the economy. Individual causes are more personal or interpersonal, such as illness, recent incarceration, or family conflict. Research has shown that homeless people have higher rates of substance abuse, mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, schizophrenia), cognitive deficits, and behavioral difficulties as well as poor self-esteem and poor self-efficacy. Disabilities and various medical conditions (e.g., cardiorespiratory disease, diabetes, sexually transmitted disease) are common as well. Some of these factors are also among the potential consequences of homelessness. Other effects include discrimination and social rejection, increased vulnerability to trauma or violent crime (e.g., assault), and greater likelihood of premature death.

homemaker home health aide

homemaker home health aide a home health aide who assists people with disabilities in homemaking tasks, personal care, and rehabilitation routines in their own homes, through a private or public agency.

homeo-

Sorry, "homeo" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

homeopathy

homeopathy n. a system of medicine based on the belief that “like cures like.” Small, highly diluted quantities of substances are given to cure symptoms when the same substances given at higher or more concentrated doses would actually cause those symptoms. Homeopathy is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine. Compare allopathy. [first given practical application by German physician Christian Friedrich Samuel Hahnemann (1755–1843)] —homeopathic adj.

homeostasis

homeostasis n. 1. the regulation by an organism of all aspects of its internal environment, including body temperature, salt–water balance (see osmoregulation), acid–base balance (see hydrogen-ion concentration), and blood sugar level. This involves monitoring changes in the external and internal environments by means of receptors and adjusting bodily processes accordingly. Compare tension law. [first described by Walter B. Cannon] 2. maintenance of a stable balance, evenness, or symmetry. —homeostatic adj.

homeostatic principle

homeostatic principle in social psychology, the principle that individuals have a need to maintain or restore an optimal level of environmental, interpersonal, and psychological stimulation. Insufficient or excessive stimulation is theorized to cause tension that often prompts the behavior required to achieve optimal stimulation levels. For example, if an individual experiences excessive solitude, he or she will seek out others to restore the desired balance with his or her need for companionship. The principle is analogous to the biological concept of homeostasis.

homeotherm (homoiotherm)

Sorry, "homeotherm-homoiotherm" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

homesickness

homesickness n. a feeling of intense sadness and longing caused by absence from one’s home or native land. See also nostalgia. —homesick adj.

homework

homework n. tasks assigned to a client to be performed between sessions of therapy. Assignments may require reading, research, or practicing new behaviors (e.g., attending a lecture, speaking to a specific person).

homicide

homicide n. the killing of one person by another person. In a legal context, homicide is often subdivided into excusable homicide (as in self-defense or resulting from an accident), justifiable homicide (as in carrying out a death sentence), and felonious homicide (as in murder or manslaughter). —homicidal adj.

homicidomania

homicidomania n. a mental or emotional disturbance characterized by a desire to kill others, often including actual attempts to do so.

homicidophilia

homicidophilia n. sexual interest and arousal obtained from murder. In the extreme form, this paraphilia results in what are called lust murders, or cases of murder and rape. Less extreme cases may consist of the use of murder fantasies or murder-related pornographic materials during masturbation. Compare autassassinophilia.

homing

homing n. the ability of individuals to return to an original home after traveling or being transported to a point that is a considerable distance from the home and that lacks most visual clues as to its location. In an animal-homing experiment, banded Manx shearwaters were transported 3,050 miles from their native Isle of Man, off the west coast of England, to North America; released separately, they returned to their burrows on the island within 13 days. See also navigation.

hominid

hominid n. a primate of the family Hominidae, of which humans (Homo sapiens) are the only living species.

homo- (hom-)

Sorry, "homo-hom" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

homocystinuria

homocystinuria n. a genetic metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of an enzyme needed to convert L-homocystine to L-cystathionine. Intellectual disabilities often occur, along with a shuffling, ducklike gait and, in some instances, seizures or hemiplegia. Brain abnormalities are often due to arterial or venous thromboses. Also called cystathionine synthetase deficiency.

homoeroticism

homoeroticism n. an erotic desire for people of one’s own sex. Also called homoerotism. Compare heteroeroticism. —homoerotic adj.

homogametic

homogametic adj. referring to the sex that has two similar sex chromosomes, such as the female sex in mammals and the male sex in birds. Compare heterogametic.

homogamy

homogamy n. a marriage between partners from similar ethnic, racial, religious, educational, or socioeconomic backgrounds. Compare heterogamy.

homogeneity

homogeneity n 1. equality or near equality, particularly between two statistical quantities of interest. The term most often is used in connection with different populations. For example, homogeneity of means would be present in a one-way analysis of variance if the average values of the population groups being investigated were the same. Compare heterogeneity. 2. see linear system.

homogeneity of cognitive function

homogeneity of cognitive function in stage theories of cognitive development, such as Jean Piaget’s, the assumption that a child’s mental processes (e.g., problem solving) are relatively homogeneous, or similar, across different tasks and contexts.

homogeneity of covariance

homogeneity of covariance the condition in which multiple groups in an experimental design have the same covariance matrix. A basic assumption in a multivariate analysis of variance, it is the multivariate analog of homogeneity of variance.

homogeneity of variance

homogeneity of variance the statistical assumption of equal variance, meaning that the average squared distance of a score from the mean is the same across all groups sampled in a study. This condition must be fulfilled in statistical methods that use a single term to represent how widely scores vary across groups, as with analysis of variance, multiple regression analysis, and other procedures. Also called equality of variance; homoscedasticity. Compare heterogeneity of variance.

homogeneous

homogeneous adj. having the same, or relatively similar, composition throughout. Compare heterogeneous.

homogeneous group

homogeneous group an aggregate of individuals or other elements that are similar to one another in a number of significant respects. In a social context, for example, a homogeneous group might include members who are the same age or have the same socioeconomic background, values, work experience, education, and so on. In educational contexts, a homogeneous group may be an entire class or a smaller group formed within a class and based on similar ability in a specific area (e.g., mathematics). Compare heterogeneous group.

homogenitality

homogenitality n. an interest in the genitalia of one’s own sex.

homograph

homograph n. one of two or more words that are written in exactly the same way but have unrelated meanings. For example, row meaning linear arrangement and row meaning argument are homographs. Compare homonym; homophone. —homographic adj.

homolateral

homolateral adj. on the same side of the body. —homolaterally adv.

homologous

homologous adj. 1. exhibiting resemblance based on common ancestry (see homology). 2. describing chromosomes that are identical in terms of their visible structure and location of gene segments, although they may carry different alleles. Diploid organisms, such as humans, possess homologous pairs of chromosomes (see autosome) in the nuclei of their body cells. See also recombination. 3. describing any segment of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) or protein whose sequence of, respectively, bases or amino acids is similar to that of another segment.

homology

homology n. a similarity of form in bodily structures of species that are descended from a common ancestor, such as the resemblance among forelimbs of vertebrates. Compare homoplasy. See also analogy. —homologous adj.

homonym

homonym n. one of two or more words that are written or pronounced (or both) in the same way but are unrelated in meaning. For example, cape meaning promontory and cape meaning garment are homonyms. Compare homograph; homophone.

homonymous hemianopia

homonymous hemianopia the loss of sight in the same half of the visual field of each eye (i.e., the left half of the visual field of both the left and right eyes, or vice versa) caused by injury to the postchiasmatic visual system (see postchiasmatic visual deficit). See also hemianopia.

homonymous paracentral scotoma

homonymous paracentral scotoma see paracentral scotoma.

homonymous quadranopia

homonymous quadranopia see quadrantanopia.

homonymous reflex

homonymous reflex a reflex in which stimulation of a muscle produces a contraction of the same muscle. Compare heteronymous reflex.

homophile

homophile n. a person who loves others of his or her own sex—that is, a gay man or a lesbian.

homophily

homophily n. 1. the tendency for individuals who are socially connected in some way to display certain affinities, such as similarities in demographic background, attitudes, values, and so on. 2. the degree of similarity between individuals who share social ties. See also birds-of-a-feather phenomenon. Compare heterophily.

homophobia

homophobia n. dread or fear of gay men and lesbians, associated with prejudice and anger toward them, that leads to discrimination in such areas as employment, housing, and legal rights and sometimes to violence (gay bashing). Extreme homophobia may lead to murder.

homophone

homophone n. one of two or more words that are pronounced in exactly the same way but have unrelated meanings and may have different spellings. For example, whole and hole are homophones. Compare homograph; homonym. —homophonic adj.

homoplasy

homoplasy n. a similarity of form in bodily structures of species that are not descended from a common ancestor (e.g., the body forms of a tuna and a dolphin). This superficial resemblance often arises through the process of convergent evolution because the species live in the same environment. Compare homology. See also analogy. —homoplastic adj.

homoscedasticity

homoscedasticity n. see homogeneity of variance. —homoscedastic adj.

homosexual behavior

homosexual behavior sexual acts, such as mutual genital caressing, cunnilingus, fellatio, and anal intercourse, practiced between people of the same sex, whether or not they identify themselves as gay.

homosexual community

homosexual community the gay and lesbian people in a particular country, region, or city, especially when regarded as having their own meeting places, customs, linguistic expressions, organizations, and so on. Use of this term is increasingly considered outdated, and the abbreviation LGBTQ is preferred instead.

homosexual love

homosexual love a relationship with a member of one’s own sex involving the full range of erotic, emotional, and sexual feelings.

homosexual marriage

homosexual marriage see same-sex marriage.

homosexual panic

homosexual panic a sudden, acute anxiety attack precipitated by (a) the unconscious fear that one might be gay or lesbian or will act out gay or lesbian impulses, (b) the fear of being sexually attacked by a person of the same sex, or (c) loss of or separation from a same-sex partner. Also called Kempf’s disease. [first proposed in 1921 by U.S. psychiatrist Edward J. Kempf (1885–1971)]

homosexual rights movement

homosexual rights movement see gay liberation.

homosexuality

homosexuality n. sexual attraction or activity between members of the same sex. Although the term can refer to homosexual orientation in both men and women, current practice distinguishes between gay men and lesbians, and homosexuality itself is now commonly referred to as same-sex sexual orientation or activity. —homosexual adj., n.

homovanillic acid (HVA)

Sorry, "homovanillic-acid-hva" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

homozygous

homozygous adj. possessing identical forms of a gene (i.e., identical alleles) at a given genetic locus on each of a pair of homologous chromosomes. Either autosomal dominant (see dominant allele) or autosomal recessive (see recessive allele) conditions are expressed when the individual is homozygous for that condition. Compare heterozygous. —homozygote n.

homunculus

homunculus n. (pl. homunculi) 1. a putative process or entity in the mind or the nervous system whose operations are invoked to explain some aspect of human behavior or experience. The problem with such theories is that the behavior or experience of the homunculus usually requires explanation in exactly the same way as that of the person as a whole. As a result, homunculus theories tend to end in circular reasoning. For example, to explain its theory that certain ideas are kept from conscious awareness because they are threatening to the person, psychoanalysis must posit some specialized part of the person that is aware of the ideas and knows that they are threatening. Similarly, some information-processing theories invoke a “decision-making process” to explain the making of decisions. Both theories invoke a sophisticated level of inner awareness or processing in an attempt to explain another outward level of awareness or processing. For this reason, critics would say that they require homunculi, or that they commit the homunculus fallacy. 2. in neuroanatomy, a figurative representation, in distorted human form, of the relative sizes of motor and sensory areas in the brain that correspond to particular parts of the body. For example, the brain area devoted to the tongue is much larger than the area for the forearm, so the homunculus has a correspondingly larger tongue. See motor homunculus; sensory homunculus. 3. a completely formed minute human figure (Latin, “little man”) thought by some 16th- and 17th-century theorists to exist in the spermatozoon and simply to expand in size during the transition from zygote to embryo to infant to adult. This idea is an example of preformism and is contrary to the epigenetic principle of cumulative development and successive differentiation. —homuncular adj.

honest signal

honest signal among nonhuman animals, a signal that provides accurate information about an individual’s internal state or its intentions. Although some theorists argue that communication should be deceptive or manipulative to ensure survival, honest signals have value if they are highly correlated with a physical trait (e.g., body size) that might, for example, provide important information for mate selection or if they are used within a stable social group where dishonest signals can be detected and “liars” punished. See handicap principle.

honestly significant difference test

honestly significant difference test see Tukey’s honestly significant difference test.

honesty

honesty n. 1. in general, truthfulness, uprightness, and integrity. 2. in psychotherapy, the ability of an individual to express true feelings and communicate immediate experiences, including conflicting, ambivalent, or guilt-ridden attitudes. —honest adj.

honesty test

honesty test see integrity testing.

hookup

hookup n. a type of sexual encounter in which the participants have no expectation of continuing or developing their relationship beyond the sexual encounter. Hookups can involve strangers or individuals who are well acquainted with each other in a nonsexual way; a friend with whom a person is hooking up but not dating is often referred to as a friend with benefits. Hookups have become a popular means for satisfying sexual desires among many young adults, likely reflecting growing reluctance to enter committed relationships; however, they represent a risk factor for sexually transmitted diseases.

Hooper Visual Organization Test (VOT)

Sorry, "hooper-visual-organization-test-vot" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Hoover’s sign

Hoover’s sign a diagnostic test for neurological (as distinct from psychological) hemiplegia in which the individual in a reclining position attempts to raise the paralyzed leg: An individual with true hemiplegia reflexively presses down the heel of the healthy leg during the test. The absence of the downward movement is a positive Hoover’s sign and suggests psychogenic paresis or malingering. [Charles Franklin Hoover (1865–1927), U.S. physician]

hope

hope n. the expectation that one will have positive experiences or that a potentially threatening or negative situation will not materialize or will ultimately result in a favorable state of affairs. Hope has been characterized in the psychological literature in various ways, including as a character strength; an emotion; a component of motivation that is critical to goal attainment; a mechanism that facilitates coping with loss, illness, and other significant stresses; or an integrated combination of these features. See also optimism. —hopeful adj.

hopelessness

hopelessness n. the feeling that one will not experience positive emotions or an improvement in one’s condition. Hopelessness is common in severe major depressive episodes and other depressive disorders and is often implicated in suicides and attempted suicides. —hopeless adj.

Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL)

Sorry, "hopkins-symptom-checklist-hscl" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT)

Sorry, "hopkins-verbal-learning-test-hvlt" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

horde

horde n. a large, usually mobile group, particularly a nomadic clan.

horizontal career move

horizontal career move a career move involving a change in functional area or expertise but not a promotion to a higher level of authority.

horizontal cell

horizontal cell see retinal horizontal cell.

horizontal communication

horizontal communication the exchange of written or spoken messages among employees occupying positions at the same level of authority in an organization. Compare downward communication; upward communication.

horizontal décalage

horizontal décalage in Piagetian theory, the invariant order in which accomplishments occur within a particular stage of development. For example, an understanding of conservation of quantity is always achieved before understanding conservation of weight, which is achieved before understanding conservation of volume. Compare vertical décalage.

horizontal group

horizontal group a group composed of people from the same social class. Compare vertical group.

horizontal job enlargement

horizontal job enlargement see job enlargement.

horizontal loading

horizontal loading see job enlargement.

horizontal mobility

horizontal mobility the movement of individuals or groups from one position or role to another within the same social class. Compare vertical mobility. See also social mobility.

horizontal plane

horizontal plane an imaginary flat surface that divides the body or brain into upper and lower parts. Also called transverse plane.

horizontal section

horizontal section 1. in imaging, a theoretical “slice” of a body or an organ (e.g., the brain) in a plane perpendicular to the dorsal–ventral axis. 2. a thin slice of tissue for microscopic study that has been cut at an angle perpendicular to the dorsal–ventral axis of the organ. A horizontal section may also be taken of an entire organ for gross examination (e.g., a horizontal section of an entire brain).

horizontal transmission

horizontal transmission host-to-host transmission of infection, as contrasted with vertical (or transplacental) transmission, in which the infection is passed from one generation to the next.

horizontal–vertical illusion

horizontal–vertical illusion the misperception that vertical lines are longer than horizontal lines when both are actually the same length. The vertical element of an upper case letter T, for example, looks longer than the cross bar, even when the lengths are identical. See also foreshortening; Helmholtz square illusion.

hormic psychology

hormic psychology a school of psychology originating in the 1920s that emphasizes goal seeking, striving, and foresight, with instincts serving as the primary motivation for behavior. It is particularly concerned with explaining social psychological phenomena in terms of instinctive behavior. See also purposive psychology; sociobiology; teleology. [introduced by William McDougall]

hormone

hormone n. a substance secreted into the bloodstream by an endocrine gland or other tissue or organ to regulate processes in distant target organs and tissues. These secretions include those from the anterior and posterior pituitary gland; the corticosteroids and epinephrine, secreted by the adrenal glands; and the sex hormones released by the reproductive glands. Other organs that secrete hormones include the hypothalamus (see hypothalamic hormone) and the stomach, which emits at least five: cholecystokinin, enterogastrone, gastrin, ghrelin, and secretin. —hormonal adj.

hormone feedback

hormone feedback a feedback system in which the output of hormones is regulated by other circulating hormones, which have positive or negative effects. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, for example, estrogen has a positive effect on the hypothalamus, increasing the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone and hence the secretion of pituitary gonadotropins, which stimulate ovulation.

hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Sorry, "hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Horner effect

Horner effect see fear of success. [Matina Horner (1939– ), U.S. psychologist]

Horner’s law

Horner’s law the principle that red–green color blindness is a genetic disorder transmitted indirectly from male to male through a female. [Johann Friedrich Horner (1831–1886), Swiss ophthalmologist]

Horner’s syndrome

Horner’s syndrome a condition characterized by partial ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid), miosis (excessive constriction of the pupil), and often anhidrosis (absence of sweating) on the same half of the face. Congenital or acquired, it is caused by damage to the pons region of the brainstem. There may be lack of coordination in eye movements (saccades and smooth-pursuit eye movements). Also called oculosympathetic paralysis. [Johann Horner]

horopter

horopter n. the location in space occupied by points that fall on corresponding locations on the two retinas. See also Panum’s fusional area; Vieth–Müller circle.

horoscope

horoscope n. 1. in astrology, a chart showing the relative position of the planets and the signs of the zodiac at the time of a person’s birth, used to infer that person’s character and to predict his or her future. 2. a short-term forecast of a person’s future based on the current position of the planets relative to his or her sign of the zodiac, especially as published in newspapers and magazines.

horseradish peroxidase (HRP)

Sorry, "horseradish-peroxidase-hrp" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

horseshoe crab

horseshoe crab a marine arthropod with very large compound eyes useful for experimental investigations of the physiology of vision because its neurons are large and activity is easily recorded. Also called limulidae.

horticultural therapy

horticultural therapy the use of gardening as an auxiliary intervention for therapeutic or rehabilitational purposes. It is typically used for individuals with physical or mental illness or disability but may also be used to improve the social, educational, psychological, and physical well-being of older adults as well as those recovering from injury. Also called horticulture therapy.

hospice

hospice n. a place or a form of care for terminally ill individuals, often those with life expectancies of about half a year as determined by medical personnel. Instead of curing disease and prolonging life, the emphases of the hospice concept are patient comfort, psychological well-being, and pain management (see palliative care). The approach is interdisciplinary, with care provided by medical, psychological, spiritual, volunteer, and family caregivers, either in special facilities or in the patient’s home. See also terminal care. [pioneered by British nurse, social worker, and physician Cicely Saunders (1918–2005)]

hospital phobia

hospital phobia a persistent and irrational fear of hospitals, classified in DSM–IV–TR and DSM–5 as a form of specific phobia, situational type.

hospitalism

hospitalism n. in infants, lack of psychomotor response or failure to gain weight or produce purposeful behavior, often thought to be a response to separation from mothers and subsequent institutionalization. See also reactive attachment disorder.

hospitalitis

hospitalitis n. the state of mind of patients who are so dependent psychologically on hospital life that their symptoms suddenly recur when they are about to be discharged.

hospitalization

hospitalization n. 1. the placement of an individual in a hospital or mental health facility for treatment. 2. the period during which a patient is confined to a hospital or mental health facility. See also involuntary hospitalization; readmission.

hostile aggression

hostile aggression see aggression.

hostile attribution bias

hostile attribution bias a general tendency to ascribe harmful or otherwise adverse intent to the ambiguous behavior of others. For example, a child who insists that another child bumped into her on the school playground on purpose when the action in fact was accidental is demonstrating a hostile attribution bias, as is an employee who claims his name was deliberately left off the distribution list for a recent memo despite coworker assurances that the error was inadvertent. This cognitive distortion is associated with such phenomena as aggression, conduct disorders, narcissism, and externalization. [first described in 1979 by personality psychologist William Nasby, clinical psychologist Brian C. Hayden, and social psychologist Bella M. DePaulo]

hostile witness

hostile witness an individual who is either unwilling to testify in court or exhibits hostility or bias against the party conducting the direct examination. If the court recognizes a person to be a hostile witness, the counsel conducting the examination is permitted to ask leading questions. See also adverse witness.

hostile work environment

hostile work environment a situation in which the workplace is made intimidating, abusive, or offensive to an employee as a consequence of another’s conduct within it (e.g., inappropriate comments, remarks, or gestures; unwanted sexual attention) or because of characteristics of the setting (e.g., displays of distasteful, insulting, or otherwise inappropriate material). See also Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinsonmeritor-savings-bank-v-vinson; quid pro quo; sexual harassment.

hostile–detached marriage

hostile–detached marriage an unstable marriage in which there are short but malicious disagreements between the partners.

hostile–engaged marriage

hostile–engaged marriage an unstable marriage in which the partners have long and frequent arguments without the balance of love and humor found in long-lasting volatile marriages.

hostility

hostility n. the overt expression of intense animosity or antagonism in action, feeling, or attitude. —hostile adj.

hostility displacement

hostility displacement the direction of hostility or aggression to a target other than the agent responsible for provoking this behavior. Conventional accounts typically state that the target is selected because there is no anticipation of punishment for the attack. According to the classic analysis of Neal E. Miller, the strength of the urge to displace hostility is related to the target’s association with the perceived source of provocation. See frustration–aggression hypothesis.

hot cognition

hot cognition a mental process whereby emotion influences reasoning. Compare cold cognition. [introduced in 1963 by U.S. social psychologist Robert P. Abelson (1928–2005)]

hot flash

hot flash a typical menopausal symptom caused by decreased levels of estrogen and experienced as a sudden rush of heat to the neck, face, and sometimes other parts of the body that may last from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. It may begin with a sudden tingling in the fingers, toes, cheeks, or ears, and in some women it is followed by a sensation of cold. Fifty percent of women experience hot flashes around the time of menopause.

hot plate

hot plate an apparatus used in studies of heat or pain sensitivity. A nonhuman animal (usually a rat or a mouse) is placed on top of an electrically heated plate, the temperature of which is controlled by the experimenter. The time that elapses before the animal raises its front paws off the plate at a given temperature is used as an index of sensitivity to heat or pain.

hot-deck imputation

hot-deck imputation one of several methods of inserting values for missing data (see imputation) in which missing observations or data points are replaced by values from similar responses in the sample at hand. Suppose that a patient survey was conducted in two hospitals, A and B, and that five people from Hospital A failed to respond to an item of the survey. Sampling five values from the respondents who did respond to that item at Hospital A and substituting these values for the missing observations is an example of a hot-deck imputation. Compare cold-deck imputation.

hot-seat technique

hot-seat technique a technique of gestalt therapy in which a client sits in a chair next to the therapist, who encourages the client through direct prompting and questioning to relive stressful experiences and openly express feelings of discomfort, guilt, or resentment. The technique aims to generate a new, more vivid awareness, which leads the client to find his or her own solutions to problems or emotional difficulties. In a group therapy variation of the hot-seat technique, an individual member expresses to the therapist an interest in dealing with a particular issue, and the focus moves away from the group into an extended interaction between the group member and therapist for a limited period of time. During this one-on-one interaction, the other group members remain silent; afterward, they give feedback on how they were affected, what they observed, and how their own experiences are similar to those the individual member discussed.

Hotelling’s T 2 test

Hotelling’s T 2 test a multivariate analysis of variance used to test the significance of the mean difference between two groups in their scores or outcomes on multiple dependent variables. An extension of the univariate t test, it is applicable to only two groups, rather than three or more groups. Also called Hotelling’s T2; T-squared test. [Harold Hotelling (1895–1973), U.S. mathematician]

hothousing

hothousing n. the acceleration of young children’s academic skills through instruction designed to increase academic achievement. Some theorists believe that hothousing is equivalent to hurrying children and that it is therefore maladaptive to normal development.

hotline

hotline n. a telephone line maintained by trained personnel for the purpose of providing a crisis intervention service. See telephone counseling.

houselight

houselight n. a small light bulb or bulbs used to provide continuous low-level illumination of a conditioning apparatus.

Hovland model

Hovland model see message-learning approach.

HPA

HPA abbreviation for hyperphenylalaninemia.

HPA axis

HPA axis abbreviated name for hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.

HR

HR abbreviation for human resources.

HRNB

HRNB abbreviation for Halstead–Reitan Neuropsychological Battery.

HRP

HRP abbreviation for horseradish peroxidase.

HRSD

HRSD abbreviation for Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression.

HRT

HRT abbreviation for hormone replacement therapy.

HRTF

HRTF abbreviation for head-related transfer function.

HSCL

HSCL abbreviation for Hopkins Symptom Checklist.

HSD test

HSD test abbreviation for honestly significant difference test. See Tukey’s honestly significant difference test.

HSI

HSI abbreviation for human systems integration.

hsieh-ping

hsieh-ping n. a culture-bound syndrome observed in China and Taiwan, characterized by temporary trancelike states in which the individual supposedly becomes possessed by ancestral spirits. It is often accompanied by tremors, disorientation, delirium, and visual or auditory hallucinations.

HSM

HSM abbreviation for heuristic-systematic model.

HSPQ

HSPQ abbreviation for High School Personality Questionnaire.

hubris

hubris n. arrogant pride or presumption. In Greek tragedy, hubris is specifically the overweening pride that leads to the destruction of the protagonist. —hubristic adj.

HUD

HUD abbreviation for head-up display.

hue

hue n. the subjective quality of color, which is determined primarily by wavelength and secondarily by amplitude.

Hull’s mathematico-deductive theory of learning

Hull’s mathematico-deductive theory of learning a mathematical system of learning based on classical and instrumental conditioning with numerous postulates and corollaries to explain various behaviors. There is major emphasis on need reduction as a condition of learning, the building up of habit strength by contiguous reinforcement, extinction brought about by nonreinforced repetition of responses, and forgetting as a process of decay with the passage of time. [Clark L. Hull]

human channel capacity

human channel capacity the limit on the amount of information that may be processed simultaneously by the human information-processing system.

human chorionic gonadotropin

human chorionic gonadotropin a hormone, produced by the human placenta, that maintains the activity of the corpus luteum during pregnancy. Its presence or absence in the urine is used as a basis for pregnancy testing. See also gonadotropin.

human courtship

human courtship see courtship.

human ecology

human ecology in sociology, the study of the relationship between human beings and their physical and social environments. See also ecological study; ecological systems theory; social ecology; urban ecology.

human engineering

human engineering the design of environments and equipment that promote optimum use of human capabilities and optimum safety, efficiency, and comfort. See also engineering psychology; human factors engineering.

human error

human error an error in the operation of a human–machine system resulting from human action or inaction (see error of commission; error of omission), as opposed to mechanical failures or faults in product or system design. Although human error can never be entirely eradicated, good design will minimize both its occurrence and its consequences (see exclusion design; fail-safe).

human factors

human factors 1. in ergonomics, the impact of human beings, with their characteristic needs, abilities, and physical and mental limitations, on system function. 2. the considerations to be made when designing, evaluating, or optimizing systems for human use, especially with regard to safety, efficiency, and comfort. See also human systems integration. 3. particularly in the United States, a common synonym of ergonomics.

human factors engineering

human factors engineering an interdisciplinary field concerned with the design, maintenance, operation, and improvement of operating systems in which human beings are components, such as industrial equipment, automobiles, health care systems, transportation systems, recreational facilities, consumer products, and the general living environment. This term is often used synonymously with engineering psychology. See also engineering anthropometry; ergonomics; human engineering; systems engineering.

human factors psychology

human factors psychology a branch of psychology that studies the role of human factors in operating systems, with the aim of redesigning environments, equipment, and processes to fit human abilities and characteristics. See human engineering. See also ergonomics; sociotechnical systems approach.

Human Genome Project

Human Genome Project an international project to map each human gene and determine the complete sequence of base pairs in human DNA. The project began in 1990 and was completed in 2003. It has yielded vast amounts of valuable information about the genes responsible for various diseases, which may lead to the development of effective genetic screening tests and, possibly, treatments. However, controversy surrounds the attempts by some biotechnology companies to patent certain human DNA sequences with the potential for commercial exploitation. See also ELSI Program.

human immunodeficiency virus

human immunodeficiency virus see HIV.

human information storage

human information storage the process in which the mind, conceived as being analogous to a computer, codes external information into a form that can be remembered, manipulated, and retrieved.

human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG)

Sorry, "human-menopausal-gonadotropin-hmg" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

human nature

human nature the generally innate but flexible characteristics of humankind as a whole, comprising the set of behaviors, attitudes, and dispositions that typify the human race. The concept of human nature has been rejected by several schools of modern thought, notably Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism. See also essentialism; universalism.

human operator modeling

human operator modeling the practice of using qualitative or quantitative tools to illustrate the behavior, mental processes, or both of human operators when performing tasks. The use of physical or computer models for this purpose is known as human operator simulation. Physical simulations involve the use of robotic or remote-controlled operators in actual or realistic task environments. Computer simulations use a variety of parameters to test different scenarios and explore outcomes. Human operator modeling is used to describe, explain, or predict behavior under a variety of task and environmental conditions. See also model human processor.

human relations

human relations see interpersonal relations.

human relations theory

human relations theory a general approach to management that emphasizes the importance of employee attitudes, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, and leadership styles in achieving organizational effectiveness. In human relations theory, considerate, participative leaders who are skilled in communicating with employees are held to achieve better results than authoritarian leaders. See Hawthorne effect.

human relations training

human relations training techniques designed to promote awareness in an individual of the feelings and needs of others and to foster constructive interactions. See also sensitivity training; T-group.

human resources (HR)

Sorry, "human-resources-hr" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

human strength

human strength see character strength.

human systems integration (HSI)

Sorry, "human-systems-integration-hsi" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

human trafficking

human trafficking see trafficking.

human-growth movement

human-growth movement see human-potential movement.

human-potential model

human-potential model a psychological approach in education that emphasizes the importance of helping learners to achieve the maximum development of their potential in all aspects of their functioning. It is derived from the basic tenets of humanistic psychology. See also humanistic perspective.

human-potential movement

human-potential movement an approach to psychotherapy and psychology that emphasizes personal growth, interpersonal sensitivity, and greater freedom and spontaneity in living. The ideas of German-born U.S. psychiatrist Frederick (Fritz) S. Perls (1893–1970) were an influential force in the development of the human-potential movement, which derives its general perspective from humanistic psychology. gestalt therapy, sensitivity training, and encounter groups are representative of this approach. Also called human-growth movement.

human–machine system

human–machine system in ergonomics, any system with interdependencies between human operators, machines, and processes. Also called man–machine system; person–machine system.

human–system coupling

human–system coupling in ergonomics, the extent to which operator and system are interdependent. A highly automated system requires a lower degree of coupling than a manual system.

human–vehicle interface

human–vehicle interface the junction between the human operator and the functions of a vehicle. It includes all components of the control panel.

humanism

humanism n. 1. a perspective that begins with a presumption of the inherent dignity and worth of humankind and, as a scholarly or artistic discipline, focuses attention on the study and representation of human beings and human experiences. The roots of Western humanism lie in the Renaissance period, when those who studied the classical Greek and Roman languages and writings became known as humanists. 2. any position taken in opposition to religious belief or other forms of supernaturalism. See secular humanism. 3. in psychology, any perspective that seeks to uphold human values and to resist the reduction of human beings and behaviors to merely natural objects and events. In this spirit, humanistic psychologies have resisted not only natural scientific psychology but also theories that emphasize the negative and pathological aspects of human nature. In psychology, the term humanism is often applied to theories and perspectives in the tradition of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow or to those inspired by phenomenology and existentialism. —humanist adj., n. —humanistic adj.

humanistic communitarian socialism

humanistic communitarian socialism an ideal political system proposed by Erich Fromm in which humane values would underlie the socioeconomic structure. The goal of humanistic communitarian socialism is a nonexploitative society, composed of small communities rather than large governmental or corporate entities, in which all members develop to their maximum ability, are self-regulating, and contribute fully as individuals and citizens.

humanistic conscience

humanistic conscience the type of conscience that is guided by individual standards and not by fear of external authority. Compare authoritarian conscience. [defined by Erich Fromm]

humanistic perspective

humanistic perspective the assumption in psychology that people are essentially good and constructive, that the tendency toward self-actualization is inherent, and that, given the proper environment, human beings will develop to their maximum potential. The humanistic perspective arose from the contributions of Gordon W. Allport, Abraham Maslow, and Carl Rogers, who advocated a personality theory based on the study of healthy individuals as opposed to people with mental disorders.

humanistic psychology

humanistic psychology an approach to psychology that flourished between the 1940s and the early 1970s and that is most visible today as a family of widely used approaches to psychotherapy and counseling. It derives largely from ideas associated with existentialism and phenomenology and focuses on individuals’ capacity to make their own choices, create their own style of life, and actualize themselves in their own way. Its approach is holistic, and its emphasis is on the development of human potential through experiential means rather than the analysis of the unconscious or the modification of behavior. Leading figures associated with this approach include Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, and Rollo May. Also called humanistic theory. See also fulfillment model; human-potential movement.

humanistic therapy

humanistic therapy any of a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches that reject psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches; seek to foster personal growth through direct experience; and focus on the development of human potential, the here and now, concrete personality change, responsibility for oneself, and trust in natural processes and spontaneous feeling. Some examples of humanistic therapy are client-centered therapy, gestalt therapy, existential psychotherapy, and experiential psychotherapy.

humanistic–existential therapy

humanistic–existential therapy see existential–humanistic therapy.

humanity

humanity n. compassion in one’s personal relations with specific others, shown by kindness, nurturance, charity, and love.

humanoid

humanoid adj., n. see android.

humidity effects

humidity effects the effects of the amount of moisture in the air on one’s perception of ambient temperature. High humidity makes hot weather uncomfortable because it diminishes the cooling efficiency of air movement to evaporate heat from the body.

humiliation

humiliation n. a feeling of shame as a result of being disgraced or deprecated. The feeling sometimes leads to severe depression and deterioration of the individual’s sense of self-esteem. Humiliation of a partner is frequently found in relationships characterized by sexual sadism and sexual masochism.

humility

humility n. the quality of being humble, characterized by a low focus on the self, an accurate (not over- or underestimated) sense of one’s accomplishments and worth, and an acknowledgment of one’s limitations, imperfections, mistakes, gaps in knowledge, and so on.

humor

humor n. 1. the capacity to perceive or express the amusing aspects of a situation. There is little agreement about the essence of humor and the reasons one laughs or smiles at jokes or anecdotes. Among philosophers, both Plato (c. 427–c. 347 bce) and Thomas Hobbes claimed that individuals laugh at people and situations that make them feel superior, whereas Immanuel Kant emphasized surprise and anticlimax: “the sudden transformation of a strained expectation to nothing.” U.S. writer Max Eastman (1883–1969) saw humor as “playful pain,” a way of taking serious things lightly and thereby triumphing over them. Sigmund Freud called attention to the many jokes (especially those having to do with sex and hostility) that enable individuals to give free expression to forbidden impulses and explained laughter in terms of a release of the energy normally employed in keeping them out of consciousness. See also incongruity theory of humor; release theory of humor. 2. the semifluid substance that occupies the spaces in the eyeball. See aqueous humor; vitreous humor. 3. in antiquity, one of four bodily fluids (blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm) that were thought to be responsible for a person’s physical and psychological characteristics (see humoral theory). This belief accounts for the use of the word humor to mean mood, as in good humor, or whim, as in It is her humor. —humoral adj. —humorous adj.

humoral immunity

humoral immunity see immune response.

humoral reflex

humoral reflex a reflex that involves secretion of a hormone.

humoral theory

humoral theory a former theory that explained physical and psychological health or illness in terms of the state of balance or imbalance of various bodily fluids. According to Greek physician Hippocrates (5th century bce), health was a function of the proper balance of four humors: blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm (the classical humors or cardinal humors). This idea was also used to explain temperament: A predominance of blood was associated with a sanguine type; black bile with a melancholic type; yellow bile or choler with a choleric type; and phlegm with a phlegmatic type. Galen did much to preserve and promulgate this explanatory approach, which survived well into the 17th century. Humoral theory provides psychology with its earliest personality typology, as well as an early model of the relation between bodily and psychological states.

hunger

hunger n. the sensation caused by a need for food. Traditional conceptualizations viewed hunger as resulting from imbalances in homeostasis and food intake as necessary to maintain in the body an optimum balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients. Contemporary theories, however, largely consider hunger to be initiated by the gradual disappearance of the inhibitory effects generated from the previous meal, such that hunger does not need to be stimulated but rather is always present and more or less masked depending on meal recency. See satiety. See also appetite; malnutrition.

hunger center

hunger center see feeding center.

hunger drive

hunger drive an arousal state induced by food deprivation, precipitating food-seeking behavior. See also specific hunger.

Hunger Winter

Hunger Winter see Dutch Hunger Winter.

Hunter syndrome

Hunter syndrome an X-linked recessive disease in which there is an excess of mucopolysaccharides in body tissues (see mucopolysaccharidosis). Almost exclusively affecting males, the disorder has two types, severe and attenuated. People with the severe type experience a decline in intellectual function and a rapid disease progression with short life expectancy. Individuals with the attenuated type typically live into adulthood and their intelligence is not affected. Heart disease and airway obstruction are major causes of death in people with both types of the disorder. Also called mucopolysaccharidosis Type II. [Charles Hunter (1872–1955), U.S. physician]

hunting behavior

hunting behavior the pursuit of other animals for food or sport. Hunting behavior may include other forms of behavior, such as stalking, running after moving objects, or use of concealment or camouflage. In chimpanzees and social carnivores (e.g., wolves and lions), there is evidence of cooperative hunting behavior, which appears to be coordinated among several individuals.

Huntington’s disease (HD)

Sorry, "huntingtons-disease-hd" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Hurler syndrome

Hurler syndrome an autosomal recessive disease marked by mucopolysaccharide levels in tissues more than 10 times normal (see mucopolysaccharidosis), combined with elevated levels of polysaccharides and gargoylism. Mental development begins normally but slows after the early months and reaches a plateau around 2 years of age. The child may learn a few words but not sentences, and toilet training is seldom achieved. Also called Pfaundler–Hurler syndrome; mucopolysaccharidosis Type I. [Gertrud Hurler (1889–1965), Austrian pediatrician]

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome

Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome see aging disorder. [Jonathan Hutchinson (1828–1913), British surgeon; Hastings Gilford (1861–1941), British physician]

HVA

HVA abbreviation for homovanillic acid.

HVLT

HVLT abbreviation for Hopkins Verbal Learning Test.

hwa-byung

hwa-byung n. a culture-bound syndrome specific to Korea and characterized by a range of symptoms that are attributed to the suppression of anger (Korean, literally: “anger disease”). Symptoms include a feeling of a mass in the throat, chest, or abdomen, a sensation of heat in the body, headaches, palpitations, indigestion, insomnia, fatigue, panic, dysphoria, fear of impending death, anorexia, generalized aches and pains, and poor concentration. Also called suppressed anger syndrome; wool-hwa-byung.

hyaline membrane disease

hyaline membrane disease see respiratory distress syndrome.

hyalophagia

hyalophagia n. the eating of glass, typically a symptom of pica.

hybrid

hybrid n. 1. in genetics, the product of crossbreeding genetically dissimilar plants or animals. See hybridization. 2. in molecular biology, a double helix formed of nucleic acids from different sources.

hybrid vigor

hybrid vigor increased vitality and other favorable qualities arising from crossbreeding genetically different plants or animals. Also called heterosis.

hybridization

hybridization n. the interbreeding of individuals with different genetic traits. Depending on the nature of the genes involved, hybrids might display traits of one or the other parent or some combination of parental traits. Hybridization is used in animal behavior studies as a method of evaluating the genetic transmission of behavior. —hybridize vb.

hybristophilia

hybristophilia n. sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crimes. In some cases, this may be directed toward people in prison for various types of criminal activities.

hydantoin

hydantoin n. any of a group of drugs developed primarily to control epileptic seizures. They were introduced in 1938 after careful studies of chemicals capable of suppressing electroshock convulsions without also causing adverse effects on the central nervous system. Hydantoin molecules are similar in structure to barbiturates but have the advantage of not altering the threshold for minimal seizures. The prototype of the hydantoins is phenytoin (previously called diphenylhydantoin). Other hydantoins include mephenytoin (U.S. trade name: Mesantoin) and ethotoin (U.S. trade name: Peganone), but these are rarely used.

hydration

hydration n. the act or process of accumulating or combining with water. For example, hydration occurs in body cells when sodium intake increases. Compare dehydration.

hydraulic model

hydraulic model any physiological or psychological model based on the analogy of fluid flowing through a system under pressure, such that pressure may build up in the system and seek release. Sigmund Freud’s model of the libido as an energy that can build pressure and seek release (catharsis) is a notable example. A more literal use of the hydraulic model was the erroneous concept of the nervous system introduced in the early 17th century by René Descartes, who believed that nerves were tubes through which animal spirits flowed from the brain to the muscles. According to this model, habits were formed when repeated use of the nerve tubes caused them to become distended and blocked.

hydro- (hydr-)

Sorry, "hydro-hydr" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hydrocephalus

hydrocephalus n. a condition caused by accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain, resulting in raised intracranial pressure, with symptoms such as headache, vomiting, nausea, poor coordination, gait imbalance, urinary incontinence, slowing or loss of development, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, or changes in personality or cognition, including memory loss. Hydrocephalus commonly occurs as a congenital anomaly or due to obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid from head injury, brain tumor, or hemorrhage. The pressure can sometimes be relieved by surgery, in which the excess fluid is permanently shunted into the bloodstream. In infants, hydrocephalus often produces enlargement of the skull. Also called hydrocephaly. —hydrocephalic adj.

hydrocodone

hydrocodone n. a mild to moderately potent orally administered opioid analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to moderately severe pain. It is more effective when combined with acetaminophen or an NSAID (e.g., aspirin) and is generally marketed in combination with such agents. It is also often marketed in combination with a cough suppressant for the symptomatic relief of cough due to colds or nasal congestion. U.S. trade names (among others): Detussin (in combination with pseudoephedrine); Vicodin (in combination with acetaminophen).

hydrocortisone

hydrocortisone n. see cortisol.

hydrogen-ion concentration

hydrogen-ion concentration a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. When acid and alkaline substances dissociate in water, hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxyl ions (OH–) are released. Acidity and alkalinity are associated with the relative concentrations of H+. The hydrogen-ion concentration can be measured using the pH scale, on which values represent the negative logarithm of the H+ ion concentration. Thus, the greater the excess of H+ ions, the lower the pH value. A pH of 0 represents the greatest possible excess of H+ ions, or a “pure” acid. At the other extreme, a pH of 14 represents the maximum degree of alkalinity. A pH of 7 represents a neutral solution. Human body fluids have an average pH of about 7.4, that is, slightly alkaline. If the pH rises above 7.8 or falls below 6.8, enzymes and other biochemical substances in the body malfunction (see acidosis; alkalosis). See also homeostasis.

hydrophobia

hydrophobia n. 1. a persistent and irrational fear of water, resulting in avoidance of activities involving water, such as swimming, drinking, or washing one’s hands. 2. a former name for rabies. —hydrophobic adj.

hydrotherapy

hydrotherapy n. the therapeutic use of water to promote recovery from disease or injury. Hydrotherapy includes such treatments as baths, streams of water (douches), and aquatic sports or exercise.

hydroxyzine

hydroxyzine n. a sedating antihistamine of the diphenylmethane class. It is used for the relief of pre- and postoperative pain, obstetric pain, anxiety, dermatitis, and vomiting. Although also appropriate for the management of alcohol withdrawal, it is rarely used for this purpose in modern clinical practice. Hydroxyzine has significant anticholinergic effects. U.S. trade names: Atarax; Vistaril.

hygiene

hygiene n. 1. the science of health and how to maintain it. 2. a condition or practice that promotes cleanliness and good health. —hygienic adj. —hygienist n.

hygiene factors

hygiene factors in the two-factor theory of work motivation proposed by U.S. clinical psychologist Frederick Herzberg (1923–2000), certain aspects of the working situation that can produce discontent if they are poor or lacking but that cannot by themselves motivate employees to improve their job performance. These include pay, relations with peers and supervisors, working conditions, and benefits. Compare motivators.

hylozoism

hylozoism n. the view that all material objects have some degree or quality of life. Some equate this view with panpsychism, which holds that all matter possesses some attributes of psyche. Others make the distinction that to possess the quality of life is not necessarily to be possessed of soul or sentience.

hymen

hymen n. a thin membrane that partly covers the opening to the vagina at birth. Although the hymen is sometimes not broken until the first experience of sexual intercourse, it may rupture at or before puberty; thus, its absence is not a reliable sign of loss of virginity. —hymenal adj.

hyoscine

hyoscine n. see scopolamine.

hyp-

Sorry, "hyp" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypacusia

hypacusia n. see hypoacusia.

hypalgesia

hypalgesia n. see hypoalgesia.

hyper-

Sorry, "hyper" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hyperactivity

hyperactivity n. a condition characterized by spontaneous gross motor activity or restlessness that is excessive for the age of the individual. Although a prominent feature of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it is not diagnostic of any particular disorder and must be correlated with other findings to identify the appropriate diagnosis. See also purposeless hyperactivity. —hyperactive adj.

hyperacusis

hyperacusis n. unusually acute hearing and a lowered tolerance for loud sounds. Also called hyperacusia.

hyperaggressivity

hyperaggressivity n. an increased tendency to express anger and hostility in action, as in violent and assaultive behavior. See also explosive personality.

hyperaldosteronism

hyperaldosteronism n. see aldosterone.

hyperalgesia

hyperalgesia n. an abnormal sensitivity to pain. The effect occasionally results from development of new nerve endings in skin areas that have been severely injured. Also called hyperalgia.

hyperarousal

hyperarousal n. 1. one of three sets of criteria used to diagnose posttraumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. Symptoms of hyperarousal include exaggerated startle response, disturbed sleep, difficulty in concentrating or remembering, and excessive vigilance. 2. a physiological response to stress. Also called acute stress response. See also fight-or-flight response. [first described by Walter B. Cannon]

hyperbulimia

hyperbulimia n. inordinate appetite and excessive intake of food. It is observed, for example, in certain psychological disorders and in patients with hypothalamic lesions. See also bulimia; hyperphagia. —hyperbulimic adj.

hypercalcemia

hypercalcemia n. high concentrations of calcium in the blood.

hypercathexis

hypercathexis n. in psychoanalytic theory, an excess of psychic energy invested in an object. Compare hypocathexis. See cathexis.

hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis

hypercholesterolemic xanthomatosis see xanthomatosis.

hypercolumn

hypercolumn n. a repeating subdivision of striate cortex (primary visual cortex) that contains a full set of orientation columns and a pair of ocular dominance columns. Thus, the population of neurons in one hypercolumn includes those responsive to all orientations, as viewed through either eye. A hypercolumn occupies an area of about 1 mm2 on the cortical surface.

hypercomplex cell

hypercomplex cell a neuron in the visual cortex for which the optimal stimulus is a moving line of specific length or a moving corner. See also end-stopped cell. [first described in 1965 by U.S. neurophysiologist David Hubel (1926–2013) and Swedish neurophysiologist Torsten Wiesel (1924– )]

hypercorrection

hypercorrection n. in linguistics, the use of an incorrect form or pronunciation in a mistaken belief that this is more formal or correct than the one generally used. Hypercorrection usually arises from false analogy, half-remembered rules learned in childhood, or an exaggerated fear of using nonstandard or lower-class forms. Common examples in English are the incorrect use of whom rather than who in, for example, Whomever is responsible for this, and the use of I rather than me in, for example, She was referring to you and I.

hypercritical

hypercritical adj. having an excessive tendency to scrutinize and find fault.

hyperemia

hyperemia n. the presence of an increased amount of blood in a part of the body. In some parts, this condition causes a flushed appearance. See also blushing.

hyperesthesia

hyperesthesia n. extreme sensitivity in any of the senses, especially abnormal sensitivity to touch. —hyperesthetic adj.

hyperexcitability

hyperexcitability n. a tendency to overreact to stimuli, often occurring during a manic episode. —hyperexcitable adj.

hyperfunction

hyperfunction n. excessive activity of a body function, part, or organ.

hypergenitalism

hypergenitalism n. excessive development of the genital system.

hypergeusia

hypergeusia n. a heightened sensitivity to taste. See supertaster. —hypergeusic adj.

hyperglycemia

hyperglycemia n. an excess of glucose in the blood. In diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia results from a relative or absolute lack of the insulin needed to remove the excess glucose from the blood. Signs range from pain or sensory loss to failure of reflexes and coma. —hyperglycemic adj.

hyperhedonia

hyperhedonia n. a pathological increase in the feeling of pleasure derived from any act or event. Compare anhedonia; hyphedonia.

hyperhidrosis

hyperhidrosis n. excessive sweating, which may occur under various circumstances and is not necessarily related to environmental, physical, or psychological factors. In severe cases, the skin in the affected areas may become macerated and vulnerable to infections. Also called hyperidrosis.

hypericin

hypericin n. a psychoactive compound that is thought to be the most pharmacologically active agent in St. John’s wortst-johns-wort.

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum see St. John’s wortst-johns-wort.

hyperingestion

hyperingestion n. excessive intake of food, fluid, or drugs through the mouth, particularly when intake is greater than the maximum safe level.

hyperkinesis

hyperkinesis n. 1. excessive involuntary movement. 2. restlessness or hyperactivity. Also called hyperkinesia. —hyperkinetic adj.

hyperkinesthesia

hyperkinesthesia n. a high level of sensitivity in the somatosensory system (e.g., to touch, weight, pressure, motion and position of the body). See also kinesthesis; proprioception. Compare hypokinesthesia.

hyperkinetic syndrome

hyperkinetic syndrome an old name for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

hyperlexia

hyperlexia n. the development of extremely good reading skills at a very early age, well ahead of word comprehension or cognitive ability. Children with hyperlexia often start to recognize words without instruction and before any expressive language develops. Hyperlexia is usually found in the context of cognitive and language deficits or certain developmental disorders; some children with autism, for example, may show hyperlexia. [first defined in 1967 by Norman E. Silberberg (1932–2007) and Margaret C. Silberberg] —hyperlexic adj.

hyperlipidemia

hyperlipidemia n. the presence in the blood of excessive amounts of lipids (e.g., cholesterol, triglycerides), which may predispose a person to atherosclerosis.

hyperlordosis

hyperlordosis n. see lordosis.

hypermania

hypermania n. an extreme manic state marked by constant activity, erratic behavior, disorientation, and incoherent speech. See also lethal catatonia. —hypermanic adj.

hypermetria

hypermetria n. overreaching an object during voluntary motor activity. This can be caused by impaired visual localization, defective visuomotor coordination, or a disorder that interferes with the execution of eye or hand movements. See also dysmetria; ocular dysmetria. Compare hypometria.

hypermnesia

hypermnesia n. 1. an extreme degree of retentiveness and recall, with unusual clarity of memory images. In forensic contexts, eyewitnesses have demonstrated increased recall after undergoing hypnotic induction to help retrieve memories, but such memories have been ruled inadmissible in some U.S. courts (see State v. Mackstate-v-mack). 2. in memory testing, a net increase in the total number of items recalled from one test to another. Hypermnesia usually occurs when information is repeatedly tested in close succession. A net decrease in the total number of items recalled is called forgetting. See reminiscence.

hypermobile testes

hypermobile testes testes that move between the scrotum and the abdominal cavity, usually because of an inguinal hernia that has not been corrected. The testes may descend into the scrotum when the environment is warm, as when taking a hot bath, but retract into the abdominal cavity when the body is exposed to cold.

hypermotility

hypermotility n. abnormally increased or excessive activity or movement, particularly in the digestive tract. The cholinergic nervous system dominates the upper portion of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas the adrenergic system controls the lower portion. Gastrin and serotonin stimulate digestive-tract motility, whereas secretin and glucagon inhibit contractions. Hypermotility is associated with gastric neuropathy, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

hyperobesity

hyperobesity n. a state of being extremely overweight, sometimes defined as weighing in excess of 45 kg (100 lb) above the accepted ideal body weight for one’s height, age, and body build. See also morbid obesity. —hyperobese adj.

hyperopia

hyperopia n. farsightedness. Hyperopia is a refractive error due to an abnormally short eyeball, which causes the image of close objects to be blurred because the focal point of one or both eyes lies behind, rather than on, the retina. Compare emmetropia; myopia.

hyperorexia

hyperorexia n. a pathologically increased appetite. See also bulimia. Compare hyporexia.

hyperosmia

hyperosmia n. abnormally acute sensitivity to odorants. Compare hyposmia.

hyperphagia

hyperphagia n. pathological overeating, particularly when due to a metabolic disorder or to a brain lesion. Compare hypophagia. —hyperphagic adj.

hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA)

Sorry, "hyperphenylalaninemia-hpa" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hyperphilia

hyperphilia n. sexual arousal by and response to a particular activity or type of stimulus that is above the normal range.

hyperphoria

hyperphoria n. deviation of one eye in an upward direction. See also phoria.

hyperphrenia

hyperphrenia n. an obsolescent name for a state of increased mental activity combined with concentration difficulty and distractibility, a common pattern in manic episodes.

hyperplasia

hyperplasia n. an abnormal increase in the size of an organ or tissue caused by the growth of an excessive number of new, normal cells. —hyperplastic adj.

hyperpnea

hyperpnea n. an abnormal increase in the rate and depth of breathing, which may be deep, labored, and rapid.

hyperpolarization

hyperpolarization n. an increase in the electric potential across the plasma membrane of a cell, especially a neuron, such that the inner surface of the membrane becomes more negative in relation to the outer surface. It occurs during the final portion of an action potential or in response to inhibitory neural messages. Compare depolarization.

hyperprosexia

hyperprosexia n. fixation of attention on an idea or stimulus (e.g., the creaking of a door) to the exclusion of other stimuli. Hyperprosexia is a feature of compulsive disorders. Also called hyperprosessis.

hypersensitivity

hypersensitivity n. 1. an excessive responsiveness of the immune system to certain foreign substances, including various drugs. Hypersensitivity reactions may be immediate, involving an acute allergic reaction leading to anaphylaxis, or more delayed, involving dangerous and sometimes fatal reductions in the number of certain white blood cells (see agranulocytosis) in response to treatment with some antipsychotic drugs (clozapine is a classic example). Drug hypersensitivity can also result in serum-sickness-type reactions or in an immune vasculitis, such as Stevens–Johnson syndrome, as seen after administration of some anticonvulsant drugs. 2. an extreme responsiveness to sensory stimuli (e.g., sound, light, touch). 3. a tendency toward emotional overreaction to criticism, rejection, or other social judgment. See also sensitivity.

hypersexuality

hypersexuality n. extreme frequency of sexual activity, or an inordinate desire for sexual activity. See nymphomania; satyriasis. —hypersexual adj.

hypersomnia

hypersomnia n. excessive sleepiness during daytime hours or abnormally prolonged episodes of nighttime sleep. This can be a feature of certain dyssomnias (e.g., narcolepsy) or other sleep or mental disorders, or it can be associated with neurological dysfunction or damage, a general medical condition, or substance use. However, hypersomnia may occur in the absence of any known cause or association with another condition (see primary hypersomnia). See also disorders of excessive somnolence. Compare hyposomnia.

hypersomnolence disorder

hypersomnolence disorder see disorders of excessive somnolence; primary hypersomnia.

hyperspecificity

hyperspecificity n. a behavioral situation in which a learned association between two stimuli fails to generalize when the stimuli are presented in a novel combination. Although hyperspecificity is a common occurrence, it has been observed particularly in such disorders as amnesia and autism. One study, for example, described the case of a child with autism who would not use a friend’s toilet because it was not the specific one on which he was originally toilet trained.

hypersthenia

hypersthenia n. a condition of excessive muscle strength and tension. —hypersthenic adj.

hypertelorism

hypertelorism n. an abnormally large distance between two body organs or areas. Ocular hypertelorism, in which the eyes are farther apart than normal, is a symptom associated with a variety of genetic disorders and neurological conditions involving cranial anomalies.

hypertension

hypertension n. high blood pressure: a circulatory disorder characterized by persistent arterial blood pressure that exceeds a standard, which usually is 140/90 mmHg. In the majority of cases, there is no obvious cause (see essential hypertension). In a few people, high blood pressure can be traced to a known cause, such as tumors of the adrenal gland, chronic kidney disease, hormone abnormalities, the use of oral contraceptives, or pregnancy. This is called secondary hypertension; it is usually cured if its cause is removed or is corrected. Malignant hypertension is a form of very high blood pressure that comes on quickly, usually accompanied by retinal hemorrhaging, and can result in organ damage if not immediately treated. Compare hypotension. —hypertensive adj.

hypertensive crisis

hypertensive crisis a sudden extreme rise in blood pressure.

hyperthymia

hyperthymia n. an emotional response that is disproportionate to the stimulus, frequently occurring in manic episodes and hypomanic episodes.

hyperthyroidism

hyperthyroidism n. overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in excessive production of thyroid hormones and a consequent increase in metabolic rate. Manifestations include nervousness, excessive activity, weight loss, and other physical problems. Compare hypothyroidism. See thyrotoxicosis.

hypertonia

hypertonia n. a state of increased muscle tension or tonicity. Also called hypertonicity. Compare hypotonia. —hypertonic adj.

hypertrophy

hypertrophy n. overgrowth of an organ or part due to an increase in the size of its constituent cells. —hypertrophic adj.

hypertropia

hypertropia n. see strabismus.

hyperventilation

hyperventilation n. abnormally rapid and deep breathing, usually due to anxiety or emotional stress. It lowers the carbon dioxide level of the blood and produces symptoms such as light-headedness, palpitation, numbness and tingling in the extremities, perspiration, and in some cases fainting (these features are known as hyperventilation syndrome). Also called overbreathing.

hypervigilance

hypervigilance n. a state of abnormally heightened alertness, particularly to threatening or potentially dangerous stimuli.

hypesthesia (hypaesthesia)

Sorry, "hypesthesia-hypaesthesia" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hyphedonia

hyphedonia n. a pathological diminution in pleasure from experiences that normally would produce pleasure. Compare anhedonia; hyperhedonia.

hyphenophilia

hyphenophilia n. sexual interest and arousal derived from touching skin, fur, hair, leather, or fabrics.

hypn-

Sorry, "hypn" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypnagogic

hypnagogic adj. describing or relating to the drowsy state that occurs in the transition from wakefulness to sleep. A transient, dreamlike image experienced while falling asleep is called a hypnagogic hallucination. Compare hypnopompic.

hypnalgia

hypnalgia n. literally, sleep pain: pain experienced during sleep or in a dream.

hypno- (hypn-)

Sorry, "hypno-hypn" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypnoanalysis

hypnoanalysis n. a modified and shortened form of psychoanalytic treatment, or a technique incorporated into full analysis, in which hypnosis is used (a) to help patients overcome resistances, (b) to enhance the transference process, and (c) to recover memories and release repressed material. The material so brought forth is meant to be incorporated into the patient’s consciousness for exploration and, ultimately, for interpretation by the therapist. However, this form of therapy is controversial because many psychologists and psychoanalysts question the veracity of memories recovered during a hypnotic state.

hypnodontics

hypnodontics n. the use of hypnotic suggestion in dentistry as a means of relaxing tense patients, relieving anxiety, reinforcing or replacing anesthesia, and correcting such habits as bruxism (grinding the teeth).

hypnodrama

hypnodrama n. a technique of psychodrama in which a hypnotic state is induced and the client, or protagonist, is encouraged to act out his or her relationships and traumatic experiences with the aid of auxiliary egos. Hypnodrama might be used to overcome a client’s resistance to dramatizing his or her problems in conscious psychodrama and to stimulate the revival of past incidents and emotional scenes in their full intensity. The technique is rarely used now. [introduced in 1959 by Jacob L. Moreno]

hypnogenic

hypnogenic adj. 1. sleep producing. 2. hypnosis inducing. Historically, hypnosis was misidentified as a sleeplike state.

hypnogenic spot

hypnogenic spot a putative point on the body that, when touched, may induce hypnosis if the individual is suggestible.

hypnoid state

hypnoid state 1. a state resembling hypnosis. 2. a state of light trance. 3. in medical usage, a sleeplike state. Also called hypnoidal state.

hypnophrenosis

hypnophrenosis n. any type of sleep disturbance. See also sleep disorder.

hypnopompic

hypnopompic adj. describing or relating to the transitional state between sleep and wakefulness. An imaginary sensory perception occurring just prior to full wakefulness is called a hypnopompic hallucination. Compare hypnagogic.

hypnosis

hypnosis n. (pl. hypnoses) the procedure, or the state induced by that procedure, in which suggestion is used to evoke changes in sensation, perception, cognition, emotion, or control over motor behavior. Subjects appear to be receptive, to varying degrees, to suggestions to act, feel, and behave differently than in an ordinary waking state. The exact nature of hypnotic suggestibility, and its possible therapeutic uses, are still being studied and debated. As a specifically psychotherapeutic intervention, hypnosis is referred to as hypnotherapy. See also altered state of consciousness; heterohypnosis; posthypnotic suggestion; self-hypnosis; waking hypnosis.

hypnotherapy

hypnotherapy n. the use of hypnosis in psychological treatment, either in brief psychotherapy directed toward alleviation of symptoms and modification of behavior patterns or in long-term reconstructive psychotherapy aimed at personality adaptation or change. Hypnotherapy may use one or a combination of techniques, typically involving the administration by a properly trained professional of therapeutic suggestions to patients or clients who have been previously exposed to hypnotic induction. Although discussions of its clinical applications engender controversy, there is scientific evidence that hypnotherapy can be applied with some success to a wide range of health problems (e.g., hypertension, asthma, insomnia, bruxism), chronic and acute pain management, habit modification (e.g., overeating, smoking), mood and anxiety disorders (e.g., some phobias), and personality disorders. There is also some positive evidence demonstrating its effectiveness as an adjunctive therapy. Also called clinical hypnosis. See also automatic writing; direct suggestion; dream suggestion; Ericksonian psychotherapy; hypnoanalysis; hypnotic regression.

hypnotic

hypnotic 1. n. a drug that helps induce and sustain sleep by increasing drowsiness and reducing motor activity. In general, hypnotics differ from sedatives only in terms of the dose administered, with higher doses used to produce sleep or anesthesia and lower doses to produce sedation or relieve anxiety. Benzodiazepines are among the most widely prescribed hypnotics; antihistamines and other agents are used to lesser degrees. Newer, nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, such as eszopiclone, zolpidem, and zaleplon, are achieving clinical currency because of the relative infrequency of adverse side effects. 2. adj. pertaining to hypnosis or sleep.

hypnotic amnesia

hypnotic amnesia forgetfulness of certain specified events that is induced by hypnotic suggestion. See also posthypnotic amnesia.

hypnotic analgesia

hypnotic analgesia reduced sensitivity to pain under hypnotic suggestion.

hypnotic induction

hypnotic induction a series of simple tasks, such as allowing one’s hand to float upward, that leads an individual to enter a state of higher suggestibility during hypnosis. The process depends on the individual’s hypnotic susceptibility and often involves relaxation and a subtle shifting of perceived control to the hypnotist.

hypnotic regression

hypnotic regression a therapeutic technique in which an individual under hypnosis is induced to relive a previous experience that may be contributing to current emotional difficulties. There are two types of hypnotic regression: age regression and past-life regression.

hypnotic rigidity

hypnotic rigidity a condition of apparent muscular rigidity induced by suggestion during hypnosis. For example, individuals told to hold out their arms in a rigid way may find themselves unable to bend the arm when asked to do so. See also challenge suggestion; ideomotor suggestion.

hypnotic susceptibility

hypnotic susceptibility the degree to which an individual is able to enter into hypnosis. Although many individuals can enter at least a light trance, people vary greatly in their ability to achieve a moderate or deep trance. Also called hypnotizability. See also Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale.

hypnotic trance

hypnotic trance see trance.

hypnotism

hypnotism n. 1. the act of inducing hypnosis. 2. the practice of hypnosis. [usually credited to James Braid, shortened from his word, neurohypnotism]

hypnotizability

hypnotizability n. see hypnotic susceptibility. —hypnotizable adj.

hypo- (hyp-)

Sorry, "hypo-hyp" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypoactive sexual desire disorder

hypoactive sexual desire disorder in DSM–IV–TR, persistent and distressing deficiency or absence of sexual interest and desire to engage in sexual activity. This may be global, involving all forms of sexual activity, or situational, limited to one partner or one type of sexual activity. It also may be lifelong or result from some life event or relationship issue. In DSM–5, this term is tied exclusively to males and is called male hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

hypoactivity

hypoactivity n. abnormally slowed or deficient motor or other activity. For example, functional neuroimaging studies have shown that depression is accompanied by a hypoactivity of brain regions involved in positively motivated behavior.

hypoacusia

hypoacusia n. a state of reduced hearing sensitivity. Also called hypacusia; hypacusis; hypacousia. —hypoacusic adj.

hypoalgesia

hypoalgesia n. diminished sensitivity to pain. Also called hypalgesia.

hypobaropathy

hypobaropathy n. see altitude sickness.

hypocathexis

hypocathexis n. in psychoanalytic theory, an abnormally low investment of psychic energy in an object. Compare hypercathexis. See cathexis.

hypochondria

hypochondria n. morbid concern with the state of one’s health, including unfounded beliefs of ill health. The individual is often focused on having one type of illness at a time. When severe and disabling, this preoccupation is classified as a mental disorder and known as hypochondriasis. —hypochondriac or hypochondriacal adj. —hypochondriac n.

hypochondriasis

hypochondriasis n. in DSM–IV–TR, a somatoform disorder characterized by a preoccupation with the fear or belief that one has a serious physical disease based on the incorrect and unrealistic interpretation of bodily symptoms. This fear or belief persists for at least 6 months and interferes with social and occupational functioning in spite of medical reassurance that no physical disorder exists. DSM–5 eliminates this diagnosis, partly because of its perceived negative connotations (e.g., it has been perceived by patients as dismissing the validity of their concerns), and replaces it with two separate diagnoses that are each characterized by high health anxiety and health-related preoccupations but that occur either in the presence of significant somatic symptoms (see somatic symptom disorder) or in the absence or with minimal evidence of such symptoms (see illness anxiety disorder).

hypodermic injection

hypodermic injection see subcutaneous injection.

hypoesthesia (hypoaesthesia)

Sorry, "hypoesthesia-hypoaesthesia" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypofrontality

hypofrontality n. a condition of reduced activation or inadequate functioning of the cortex of the frontal lobes of the brain. In theory, this is a factor in schizophrenia, but it is not well established either as a characteristic phenomenon or as a cause.

hypofunction

hypofunction n. reduced function or activity, especially of an organ, such as a gland.

hypogastric nerve

hypogastric nerve a pair of single large nerves or sets of smaller parallel nerves that extend into the pelvic region and carry postganglionic fibers that innervate the bladder, rectum, and genitalia.

hypogeusia

hypogeusia n. diminished sensitivity to taste. See also dysgeusia. —hypogeusic adj.

hypoglossal nerve

hypoglossal nerve the 12th cranial nerve, a motor nerve that originates in a nucleus on the floor of the fourth ventricle within the brain and innervates the muscles of the tongue, lower jaw, and areas of the neck and chest. Also called cranial nerve XII.

hypoglossia

hypoglossia n. see aglossia.

hypoglycemia

hypoglycemia n. the condition of having a low blood-sugar level, due to interference with the formation of sugar in the blood or excessive utilization of sugar. In infants, the major symptoms are tremors, cyanosis, seizures, apathy, weakness, respiratory problems, and failure to develop intellectually; the infantile idiopathic form may be due to a single recessive gene. In adults, the major symptoms are weakness, profuse sweating, nervousness, and dizziness. The adult form may be a psychophysiological reaction (functional hyperinsulinism), or it may result from inadequate intake of carbohydrates or insulin overdosage in those with diabetes mellitus. —hypoglycemic adj.

hypogonadism

hypogonadism n. decreased functional activity of the gonads, with retardation of growth and sexual development.

hypokinesis

hypokinesis n. abnormal slowness in the initiation of voluntary movement. Compare bradykinesia. Also called hypokinesia. —hypokinetic adj.

hypokinesthesia

hypokinesthesia n. a diminished level of sensitivity in the somatosensory system (e.g., to touch, weight, pressure, and motion and position of the body). See also kinesthesis; proprioception. Compare hyperkinesthesia.

hypolipemia

hypolipemia n. an abnormally low level of lipids in the blood.

hypomania

hypomania n. 1. generally, a state of enhanced mood and increased energy and activity that resembles mania but is milder. 2. more specifically, a hypomanic episode. —hypomanic adj.

hypomanic episode

hypomanic episode a period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood accompanied by various combinations of inflated self-esteem, a decreased need for sleep, increased speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, increased activity or psychomotor agitation, and increased involvement in risky activities (e.g., buying sprees, sexual indiscretions). One or more hypomanic episodes are characteristic of bipolar II disorder (see bipolar disorder), and hypomanic symptoms are a feature of cyclothymic disorder. Also called hypomania. Compare manic episode.

hypomenorrhea

hypomenorrhea n. a condition of diminished menstrual flow or menstruation of abnormally short duration.

hypometria

hypometria n. underreaching an object during voluntary motor activity. This can be caused by impaired visual localization, defective visuomotor coordination, or a disorder that interferes with the execution of eye or hand movements. See also dysmetria; ocular dysmetria. Compare hypermetria.

hypomotility

hypomotility n. abnormally decreased or deficient activity or movement.

hyponasality

hyponasality n. lack of nasal resonance as a result of partial or complete obstruction in the nasal tract. Also called denasality.

hypophagia

hypophagia n. pathologically reduced food intake. Compare hyperphagia.

hypophilia

hypophilia n. 1. reduced sexual responsiveness. 2. lack of interest in sex. 3. sexual arousal by and response to a particular activity or type of stimulus that is below the normal range.

hypophonia

hypophonia n. a dysfunction in the production of sounds in which poor or absent coordination of speech muscles causes an abnormally weak voice, characterized by the need to whisper rather than speak aloud. Also called microphonia. See dysphonia.

hypophoria

hypophoria n. deviation of one eye in a downward direction. See also phoria.

hypophyseal cachexia

hypophyseal cachexia a disease caused by total failure of the pituitary gland, resulting in secondary atrophy of the adrenal cortex, thyroid gland, and gonads. Sexual glands and breasts atrophy, teeth and hair fall out, and anorexia, diabetes insipidus, hypoglycemia, and mental changes develop. The disease occurs in two forms: Sheehan’s syndrome, which affects women after childbirth; and Simmonds’ disease, which affects both sexes. Also called pituitary cachexia.

hypophyseal fossa

hypophyseal fossa see fossa.

hypophysectomy

hypophysectomy n. surgical removal of the pituitary gland (hypophysis). Also called pituitectomy.

hypophysis (hypophysis cerebri)

Sorry, "hypophysis-hypophysis-cerebri" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypoplasia

hypoplasia n. underdevelopment of an organ or tissue, usually due to an inadequate number of cells or a diminished size of structured cells. —hypoplastic adj.

hypoprosexia

hypoprosexia n. an abnormal lack of attentive ability. Also called hypoprosessis.

hyporexia

hyporexia n. a pathologically decreased appetite. See also anorexia. Compare hyperorexia.

hyposexuality

hyposexuality n. an abnormally low level of sexual behavior. Hyposexual individuals may show no sex drive or interest in sexual activity. —hyposexual adj.

hyposmia

hyposmia n. decreased sensitivity to some or all odorants. Individuals with this condition are described as hyposmic. Also called microsmia. Compare hyperosmia.

hyposomnia

hyposomnia n. a reduction in a person’s sleep time, often as a result of insomnia or some other sleep disturbance. See also sleep disorder. Compare hypersomnia.

hypospadias

hypospadias n. a congenital anomaly in which the urethra opens below its normal anatomical position. In males, hypospadias is usually manifested by a urethral opening on the underside of the penis. In females, the urethra may open into the vagina.

hypotension

hypotension n. abnormally low blood pressure, causing dizziness and fainting. Compare hypertension. See also orthostatic hypotension. —hypotensive adj.

hypothalamic hormone

hypothalamic hormone any hormone secreted by neurons of the hypothalamus. Neuroendocrine cells in the hypothalamus produce the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. The axons of these cells pass through the pituitary stalk (infundibulum) to the posterior pituitary, where they are released into the bloodstream. Other neuroendocrine cells in the hypothalamus produce either releasing hormones, which stimulate secretion of anterior pituitary hormones, or inhibiting hormones, which prevent secretion of anterior pituitary hormones. These hormones travel to the anterior pituitary through the hypothalamic–pituitary portal system.

hypothalamic hyperphagia

hypothalamic hyperphagia see ventromedial hypothalamic syndrome.

hypothalamic syndrome

hypothalamic syndrome any of various disorders arising from injuries to the hypothalamus. These may involve disturbances of eating, drinking, sleep, water balance, and temperature or development of secondary sexual characteristics. See lateral hypothalamic syndrome; ventromedial hypothalamic syndrome.

hypothalamic theory of Cannon

hypothalamic theory of Cannon see Cannon–Bard theory. [Walter B. Cannon]

hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system

hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system see hypothalamic–pituitary portal system.

hypothalamic–pituitary portal system

hypothalamic–pituitary portal system a system of blood capillaries that transports releasing hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. Also called hypothalamic–hypophyseal portal system. See also hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.

hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA axis)

Sorry, "hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis-hpa-axis" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypothalamus

hypothalamus n. (pl. hypothalami) part of the diencephalon of the brain, lying ventral to the thalamus, that contains nuclei with primary control of the autonomic (involuntary) functions of the body. It also helps integrate autonomic activity into appropriate responses to internal and external stimuli. Additionally, it is involved in appetite, thirst, sleep, and sexuality. See also hypothalamic hormone; lateral hypothalamus; ventromedial hypothalamus. —hypothalamic adj.

hypothermia

hypothermia n. the state of having an abnormally low body temperature. It can be caused by absence of normal reflexes such as shivering, sometimes associated with disease or a disorder of the brain, or by exposure to extreme cold. Accidental hypothermia is most likely to affect older people, who are less able to cope with the cooling effect of environmental temperatures in the winter months. Symptoms include listlessness, drowsiness, apathy, and indifference to progressive frostbite, progressing (if untreated) to coma and death. See also induced hypothermia. —hypothermic adj.

hypothesis

hypothesis n. (pl. hypotheses) an empirically testable proposition about some fact, behavior, relationship, or the like, usually based on theory, that states an expected outcome resulting from specific conditions or assumptions.

hypothesis testing

hypothesis testing a statistical inference procedure for determining whether a given proposition about a population parameter should be rejected on the basis of observed sample data. See also significance testing.

hypothetical construct

hypothetical construct see construct.

hypothetical imperative

hypothetical imperative in the moral teaching of Immanuel Kant, a maxim of the type “If you would achieve end X, take action Y.” Such maxims of skill or prudence differ from the categorical imperative of morality in that (a) they are aimed at particular material ends rather than absolute and unconditional ends and (b) they cannot be defended as a universal and transituational law. See also universalizability.

hypothetico-deductive method

hypothetico-deductive method a method of scientific inquiry in which the credibility or explanatory power of a falsifiable hypothesis is tested by making predictions on the basis of this hypothesis and determining whether these predictions are consistent with empirical observations. It is one of the most widely used scientific methods for disproving hypotheses and building corroboration for those that remain. Also called mathematico-deductive method.

hypothetico-deductive reasoning

hypothetico-deductive reasoning the abstract logical reasoning that, according to the Piagetian theory of cognitive development, emerges in early adolescence and marks the formal operational stage. Hypothetico-deductive reasoning is distinguished by the capacity for abstract thinking and hypothesis testing, which frees the adolescent from total reliance on concrete thinking and immediate perception.

hypothymia

hypothymia n. an obsolescent name for a restricted range of affect, occurring in severe cases of major depressive episode.

hypothyroidism

hypothyroidism n. underactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in underproduction of thyroid hormones and a consequent decrease in metabolic rate. Manifestations include fatigue, weakness, and weight gain and other physical problems. Dysphoria, depression, and psychosis can be seen in more severe forms. Compare hyperthyroidism. See also congenital hypothyroidism.

hypotonia

hypotonia n. decreased muscle tone or strength. Compare hypertonia. —hypotonic adj.

hypotropia

hypotropia n. see strabismus.

hypovolemic thirst

hypovolemic thirst thirst caused by depletion of the volume of extracellular fluid, as, for example, by blood loss (i.e., hypovolemia) or vomiting. Also called volumetric thirst. Compare osmometric thirst.

hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT)

Sorry, "hypoxanthine-guanine-phosphoribosyltransferase-hgprt" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

hypoxemia

hypoxemia n. a deficiency of oxygen in the blood. The most reliable method for measuring the degree of hypoxemia is blood gas analysis to determine the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. Insufficient oxygenation of the blood may lead to hypoxia. Compare anoxemia.

hypoxia

hypoxia n. reduced oxygen in the body tissues, including the brain. This can result in widespread brain injury depending on the degree of oxygen deficiency and its duration. Signs and symptoms of hypoxia vary according to its cause but generally include shortness of breath, rapid pulse, fainting, and mental disturbances (e.g., delirium, euphoria). See also anoxia. —hypoxic adj.

hypoxic hypoxia

hypoxic hypoxia hypoxia due to insufficient oxygen reaching the blood, as at the decreased barometric pressures of high altitudes. See altitude sickness.

hypoxyphilia

hypoxyphilia n. sexual fantasy involving arousal obtained by reduction of oxygen flow to the brain. It is a paraphilia usually involving one person alone (i.e., autoerotic asphyxia) but occasionally involving sexual partners (i.e., asphyxophilia). Methods and tools used to achieve arousal include, among others, strangulation by rope, smothering by means of a plastic bag over the head, hanging, and breathing in an anesthetic. Highly dangerous, hypoxyphilia results in numerous fatalities.

hysterectomy

hysterectomy n. the surgical removal of the uterus. It may be total hysterectomy, including excision of the cervix; subtotal hysterectomy, in which only the uterus above the cervix is removed; or radical hysterectomy, with excision of a part of the vagina with the uterus and cervix.

hysteresis

hysteresis n. 1. an effect in which the perception of a stimulus is influenced by one’s immediately preceding perceptions. It can be demonstrated in experiments that involve making successive changes to a stimulus that varies along some dimension and asking a participant to describe his or her perception. When values along the dimension are steadily increased, there comes a point at which the participant will begin to place the percept in a different category (e.g., a sound is loud rather than quiet). However, when values along the dimension are decreased, the crossover point will occur at a different point along the dimension. 2. in vision, the tendency for a perceptual state to persist under gradually changing conditions. For example, stereoscopic fusion can persist, producing the appearance of depth even when binocular disparity between the two images becomes so great that they would normally not be able to be fused. —hysteretic adj.

hysteria

hysteria n. the historical name for the condition now largely classified as conversion disorder but with symptoms dispersed across other formal diagnoses as well (e.g., histrionic personality disorder). Although technically outdated, it is often used as a lay term for any psychogenic disorder characterized by symptoms such as paralysis, blindness, loss of sensation, and hallucinations and often accompanied by suggestibility, emotional outbursts, and histrionic behavior. Sigmund Freud interpreted hysterical symptoms as defenses against guilty sexual impulses (e.g., a paralyzed hand cannot masturbate), but other conflicts are now recognized. Freud also included dissociative conditions in his concept of hysteria, but these are now regarded as separate disorders. The name derives ultimately from the Greek husteros, “uterus,” based on the early and erroneous belief that such disorders were unique to women and originated in uterine disorders. —hysterical adj.

hysterical amnesia

hysterical amnesia an older name, now rarely encountered, for a disorder characterized by inability to recall traumatic or anxiety-provoking events, such as experiences associated with guilt, failure, or rejection. See dissociative amnesia.

hysterical blindness

hysterical blindness see functional blindness.

hysterical disorder

hysterical disorder an outdated name for any disorder characterized by involuntary psychogenic dysfunction of the sensory, motor, or visceral activities of the body. See conversion disorder; somatization disorder.

hysterical paralysis

hysterical paralysis a former name for conversion paralysis.

hysterical personality disorder

hysterical personality disorder see histrionic personality disorder.

hysterical psychosis

hysterical psychosis an old name for a condition in which psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre and sometimes violent behavior) appear suddenly in a person with histrionic personality disorder, usually in response to a stressful precipitating life event. Symptoms are of short duration, lasting 2 weeks or less, and there is a full return to the previous level of functioning. Currently, however, hysterical psychosis is not widely considered a distinct clinical entity. Also called dissociative psychosis.

hysteriform

hysteriform adj. characterized by symptoms that resemble those associated with hysteria. The term is not in current usage.

hystero- (hyster-)

Sorry, "hystero-hyster" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.

Hz

Hz symbol for hertz.

Psychology Terms Starting With 'H'