Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status

a measure of an individual’s perceived social standing, reflecting his or her impressions of current circumstances, background variables, and future opportunities. The scale consists of two 10-rung ladders on which respondents place an X to indicate their rank relative to others in their community and to others in the general population in terms of typical indicators of socioeconomic status, including income, education, and occupational status. The score for each ladder is the number of the rung chosen to represent one’s status, with a possible low score of 1 and a high score of 10. Research increasingly suggests that relative social position is an important predictor of overall functioning: High subjective social status has been linked to psychological factors that predispose individuals to better health trajectories and well-being. [developed in 2000 by U.S. psychologist Nancy E. Adler and colleagues]

Browse dictionary 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

Psychology term of the day

January 30th 2025

anticholinergic syndrome

anticholinergic syndrome

a disorder produced by anticholinergic drugs and due to their antagonistic effects at acetylcholine receptors, marked by symptoms involving both the peripheral and central nervous systems. The former include dry mucous membranes, dry mouth, and flushed skin and face, whereas the latter include ataxia (unsteady gait), drowsiness, slurred speech, confusion and disorientation, hallucinations, and deficits, particularly of short-term memory. Tricyclic antidepressants, aliphatic phenothiazines, antiparkinsonian agents, and scopolamine are examples of drugs that can cause anticholinergic syndrome. This syndrome is often observed in patients receiving combinations of such drugs.