Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


termination

n. in therapy, the conclusion of treatment. Termination may be suggested by the client or therapist or may be by mutual agreement. Termination can be immediate or prolonged; in the latter case, a date for the final session is established and sessions are sometimes scheduled less frequently over the intervening period. In premature termination, treatment is ended before either the therapist or client considers the therapy complete. This may result, for example, from difficulties in the therapeutic relationship, misunderstanding of the required length of treatment, a change in the client’s financial circumstances, or departure of the client or therapist to another location.

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 11th 2024

method of difference

method of difference

the second of the five canons of empirical science laid down by John Stuart Mill. It is meant to establish sufficient conditions for a phenomenon. For example, if under one condition, C1, an effect, E1, does not occur, and as C1 is changed to C2 the effect E1 does occur, it may be concluded that C2 is a sufficient cause of E1, and the alternative hypothesis, that C1 causes E1, can be eliminated. Thus, the effect is attributed to the “difference” between conditions C1 and C2. Also called difference canon.