Developmental psychology.pdf

588 Glossary
motor Pertaining to muscular or glandular activity.
motor area The region of the cerebral cortex which
controls voluntary motor activity.
motor domain In education, learning objectives concerned
with the development of muscular or motor responses,
such as dancing, jumping, and playing certain musical
instruments.
motor nerve A neuron which carries impulses to the motor
organs, also known as an efferent nerve.
motor projection areas Also called motor areas, this term
has reference to the primary brain areas involved in the
control of body movement. The cortical tissue at the
rear of the frontal lobe is presumed to be most directly
involved. The concept of projection refers to the
relevance of specific areas for specific body
movements. See sensory projection areas.
multifactor studies Experimental investigation of the
influence of several variables simultaneously. These
variables may be additive, meaning that their total
influence is equal to the sum of the separate influences,
or interactive, in which case the influence of any one
variable depends upon the presence, absence, or level
of another variable. Multifactor studies are generally
more complex than the traditional single-factor
experimental design. Compare with experiment,
classical.
multiple approach-avoidance A type of conflict which
involves two or more alternatives, each of which has
positive and negative characteristics.
multiple basis of behavior The premise that behavior is
usually determined by several factors, rather than just
one. See fallacy of the single cause.
multiple-pair traits A characteristic in human beings or
animals which is influenced by multiple pairs of genes.
Most human characteristics appear to arise in this way.
See single-pair traits.
multiple personality A pathological condition wherein
several personalities are expressed by the same person.
A dual personality is exemplified by Dr. Jekyll and Mr.
Hyde. There have been cases known to express as
many as four personalities.
multiplistic thinking A form of thinking in which all
knowledge about the world is divided into certain
categories, such as right, wrong, or unknown. The
individual understands that everything in the world
cannot be known and therefore concludes that there is
a significant element of uncertainty about almost
everything. With this uncertainty in mind, the student
may come to the pessimistic conclusion that nothing
can be known or that all answers are equally uncertain.
See dualistic thinking and relativistic thinking.
mutual pair In a group, two members mutually attracted.
They prefer one another's company and show no
preference for other group members. See clique, isolate,
star.
myotonia Muscle contractions; in sexual activity, the*
contractions of muscles in the genital areas, limbs, and
face. Some are voluntary and others involuntary. The
other major physiological reaction in sexual activity is
vasocongestion.
naming A stage of language acquisition in which words or
sounds are first used to indicate objects, people, or
events. This stage follows word recognition and
precedes the use of words in combinations.
nanometer One-billionth of a meter. A measure of the
wavelength of light.
naturalistic method See naturalistic observation.
naturalistic observation Observation in the field without
manipulation of the situation by the investigator.
nature-nurture issue An issue concerned with the relative
importance of heredity (nature) and environment
(nurture) in various aspects of individual development.
need A requirement for survival or for optimal adjustment
to the environment, such as the need for food, water, or
even recognition.
need for affiliation The desire to be with others, especially
others of one's own species.
needle electrode An extremely thin wire which serves as
an electrode and can be implanted into the brain of an
experimental animal for the purpose of stimulating
specific areas without damage to adjacent brain tissue.
Used for research on brain functions, especially
subcortical regions.
negative afterimage A visual phenomenon. After gazing
at a particular color, its complementary hue appears. If
you gaze steadily at a blue surface for a minute or so,
and then shift your gaze to a white surface, a yellowish
hue will appear. Compare with positive afterimage.
negative correlation When increases in one variable are
associated with decreases in another. There is a
negative correlation between smoking and physical
health, the more one smokes, the lower is the state of
health.
negative transfer Habit interference, as when learning one
skill makes learning another more difficult.
neocortex A reference to the cerebral cortex, so named
because neo means new and cortex means "bark." The
neocortex is the cerebral cortex, markedly developed in
human beings but less developed in lower animals. The
subcortical regions are therefore regarded as older in an
evolutionary sense.
nerve A bundle of neurons.
nerve cell The central part of a neuron; the body of the
neuron from which the fibers extend.
nerve fiber A threadlike structure extending from the cell
body of a neuron, which transmits the nerve impulse.
nerve impulse A successive release of energy along a
nerve fiber.
neuron A nerve cell and its fibers. Sometimes the terms
neuron and nerve are used interchangeably.
neurosis Formerly, a functional behavior disorder which,
though troublesome, is seldom sufficiently severe to
require institutionalization. Chronic, inefficient, partially
disruptive ways of dealing with personal problems. Also
referred to as a psychoneurosis, the term is not included
in current diagnostic nomenclature.