Developmental psychology.pdf

Glossary 587
matched groups A method of experimental research in
which individuals in one group are matched on a one-toone
basis with individuals in other groups with regard to
all organism variables which the experimenter deems
important. For example: Subject A in Group 1 is the
same age, sex, height, and weight as Subject A in
Group 2.
maternal behavior Caring for the young by the mother,
which in some animals involves a complex, unlearned
pattern of responses.
maturation Development depending almost solely upon
biological conditions which characterize the species.
Distinguished from learning, which, although it is
somewhat dependent upon the level of maturation,
requires exercise, practice, or observation of the
performance of others.
mean, arithmetical The average score; the sum of the
scores divided by the number of scores.
mean length of utterance In language learning, the level
of language development as measured by the use of
morphemes in combinations.
measures of central tendency See central tendency,
measures of.
measures of variability See variability, measures of.
median The middlemost score in a series arranged in rank
order.
medical model The view that mental illness, like physical
illness, has its origin in conditions of the body. One
implication is that the alleviation of mental illness should
be accomplished by medical practitioners. See devil
model, sociocultural model.
memory Retention of what has been learned. It is
evidenced by later recall, recognition, or relearning with
a savings. See also engram.
memory span The maximum number of words, syllables,
or digits recalled after a single presentation, whether
presented in an auditory, or visual manner.
memory trace The neural modification inferred to underlie
memory. An engram.
mental age (MA) The degree of intelligence exhibited by
an individual in relation to the age norms established for
the particular test. A boy is said to have a mental age of
8, for example, if his performance on a standardized
intelligence test equals that of the average child of 8
years, according to the norms. His chronological age
(CA) might be greater or less than his mental age.
mental health A mental state marked by the absence of
personal discomfort and socially disruptive behavior.
The emphasis is not upon an enduring set of traits but
rather upon the capacity for adapting to environmental
conditions, working productively with others or alone,
and attempting to improve society as well as one's own
personal condition.
mental illness Any psychological disorder characterized
by severe maladjustment.
mentally gifted See gifted.
mentally retarded See retarded.
mesomorph (mez'-uh-morf) A dimension of body build
characterized by predominance of muscularity.
meta-analysis Literally, an analysis which goes beyond
the initial analysis; an analysis which attempts to
incorporate other analyses within it. In psychological
research, a meta-analysis may attempt to integrate
results from many independent investigations, thus
providing an overall analysis of the disparate findings.
The aim is to provide a common basis for comparisons
and an overall conclusion.
method of approximations See approximations, method
of.
method of loci See loci, method of.
method of savings See savings, method of.
microcephalic (mi-kro-suh-fal'-ik) A person with an
especially small head and therefore limited brain
development; usually mentally handicapped.
middle ear Part of the auditory mechanism between the
eardrum and cochlea, containing the ossicles.
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) An
objective test used for evaluating personality in terms of
psychiatric categories.
mnemonic devices Memory systems or techniques,
designed to improve memory by the use of special
rules, associations, or other methods of organizing the
materials. See loci, method of and peg word system.
mode In statistics, the most frequent score of a series.
model Generally, something to be copied or imitated. In
the history of psychology the term refers to a system or
approach to the whole field which guides its research
and theory. In the psychology of learning, the term
refers to an individual whose behavior illustrates the
proper performance of a task. The learner therefore
behaves according to the actions of the model.
modeling Following the example of another person. A child
or adult who acquires a new behavior pattern through
imitation of someone else is said to have engaged in
modeling.
monaural Involving only one ear.
monocular cues Cues that can be obtained or used with
one eye, as distinguished from binocular cues.
morpheme The smallest language unit with a distinct and
separate meaning, composed of at least one phoneme.
motivation Inner influence on behavior as represented by
physiological conditions, interests, attitudes, and •
aspirations.
motivational hierarchy A hierarchy of needs which human
beings presumably fill successively in the order of
lowest to highest. The five levels are physiological
needs, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and selfactualization.
motivational sequence A series of related events involved
in motivation: need, drive, incentive, and reinforcement.
motivation to avoid success A hypothesized condition,
especially in women, in which the individual does not
desire to be successful. The individual has other goals
which are incompatible with success, such as the desire
to be socially popular.
motive An urge to attain some goal object, such as food
when hungry, or some goal, such .as becoming an
engineer. Similar to drive except that drive has no
clearly defined incentive.