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narcoanalysis

n. a form of psychoanalysis in which injections of drugs (often opioids) are used to induce a semihypnotic state in order to facilitate exploration and ventilation of feelings, uncover repressed traumatic memories, and, through the analyst’s review and interpretation with the patient afterward, promote the patient’s insight into the unconscious forces that underlie his or her symptoms. The technique was developed initially to treat combat stress reactions in the 1940s and is rarely if ever used now.

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Psychology term of the day

December 23rd 2024

delta rule

delta rule

the principle that the change in strength of an association during learning is a function of the difference between the maximal strength possible and the current strength of the association. The delta rule is used in associationistic learning theory (see associative learning).