Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


referent

n. in linguistics, the thing (or process or situation) in the external physical world to which a word or phrase refers. In the structuralist account of language (see structuralism), verbal signs (words) are held to consist of a signifier (physical form) and signified (concept indicated by the signifier), with no need for any external referent.

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

October 15th 2024

Kohnstamm test

Kohnstamm test

a demonstration frequently used to prepare an individual for hypnosis. The participant is asked to press an arm backward against a wall for a minute or two and then to step away, allowing the arm to relax. What follows is a natural reflexive tendency for the arm to rise, known as Kohnstamm’s phenomenon. Believing that the reflex has occurred because of the hypnotist’s instructions for the task, the participant becomes more inclined to be susceptible to further suggestions during subsequent hypnosis. Also called Kohnstamm maneuver. [Oskar Kohnstamm (1871–1917), German physician]