Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


Wernicke’s aphasia

loss of the ability to comprehend sounds or speech, in particular to understand or repeat spoken language and to name objects or qualities (see anomia). It is a fluent aphasia in which speech output is typically distorted, incorrect, or inappropriate (see paraphasia). The condition is a result of brain damage, typically in the left posterior lateral temporal lobe, and may be associated with other disorders of communication, including alexia, acalculia, or agraphia. Also called cortical sensory aphasia; receptive aphasia; sensory aphasia. [Karl Wernicke]

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 19th 2025

pretest

pretest

1. n. an initial assessment designed to measure existing characteristics (e.g., knowledge, ability) before some intervention, condition, manipulation, or treatment is introduced. Pretests often are given to research participants before they take part in a study. For example, in a study examining whether training helps math performance, participants might be administered a short math test to assess their original knowledge prior to undergoing the training. See also posttest.

2. n. a test administered before the main study to ensure that participants understand the instructions and procedures. See pilot study; practice trial.

3. vb. to administer a pretest.