Psychology Dictionary
  • Psychology Resources
  1. Home
  2. precipitating cause

precipitating cause

precipitating cause

the particular factor, sometimes a traumatic or stressful experience, that is the immediate cause of a mental or physical disorder. A single precipitating event may turn a latent condition into the manifest form of the disorder. Compare predisposing cause.

Related Terms

vigilance decrement

vigilance decrement in a vigilance task, a decrease in the...

physiology

physiology n. 1. the science of the functions o...

reaction formation

reaction formation in psychoanalytic theory, a defense mech...

Gerstmann’s syndrome

Gerstmann’s syndrome a set of four symptoms associated with...

visceral drive

visceral drive a drive that is derived from a physiological...

schizophrenia

schizophrenia n. a psychotic disorder characterized by dist...

Quick Info

Category Psychology Term
Definitions 1
First Letter P

Browse by Letter


A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

© 2025 PsychologyDB.com All rights reserved.

Terms Sitemap Contact