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ape changes （ i。e。； a pound of clay is still a pound of clay whether it is rolled in a ball or pounded flat）。
Consolidation
The physiological changes in the brain associated with memory storage。
Consolidation Failure
The failure to store information in memory。
Constant
Any variable that remains the same throughout a study。
Construct
Any variable that can not be directly observed but rather is measured through indirect methods。 （Examples： intelligence； motivation）
Construct Validity
The general validity of a measuring device。 Construct validity answers the question of whether or not the measuring device actually measures the construct under question。
Content Validity
A measurement device’s ability to be generalized to the entire content of what is being measured。
Context Dependent Memory
The theory that information learned in a particular situation or place is better remembered when in that same situation or place。
Continuous Reinforcement
The application of reinforcement every time a specific behavior occurs。
Control Group
The group of subjects in an experiment that does not receive the independent variable。
Convergence
The binocular cue to distance referring to the fact that the closer an object； the more inward our eyes need to turn in order to focus
Convergent Thinking
Logical and conventional thought leading to a single answer。
Conversion Disorder
A somatoform disorder where the individual experiences a loss of sensation or function due to a psychological belief （e。g。； paralysis； blindness； deafness）。
Correlated Sample
Sample data that is related to each other。
Correlation
The degree to which two or more variables a related to each other。 A correlation refers to the direction that the variables move and does not necessarily represent cause and effect。 （Example： height and weight are correlated。 As one increases； the other tends to increase as well）
Correlation Coefficient
The statistic or number representing the degree to which two or more variables are related。 Often abbreviated 'r。'
Counter conditioning
The use of conditioning to eliminate a previously conditioned response。 The conditioned stimulus （CS） is repaired with a different unconditioned stimulus （UCS） to eventually elicit a new conditioned response （CR）
Critical Period
A time frame deemed highly important in developing in a healthy manner； can be physically； emotionally； behaviorally； or cognitively。
Critical Value
The value of a statistic required in order to consider the results significant。
Cross Sectional Study
A research study that examines the effects of development （maturation） by examining different subjects at various ages
Cross Sequential Study
A research study that examines the effects of development （maturation） by bining longitudinal and cross sectional studies
Crowding
The psychological and psychological response to the belief that there are too many people in a specified area。
Crystallized Intelligence
The part of intelligence which involves the acquisition； as opposed to the use； of information
D
Decay
Theory which states that memory fades and/or disappears over time if it is not used or accessed。
Declarative Memory
The part of long…term memory where factual information is stored； such as mathematical formulas； vocabulary； and life events。
Deductive Reasoning
Decision making process in which ideas are processed from the general to the specific。
Defenses （Defense Mechanisms）
Psychological forces which prevent undesirable or inappropriate impulses from entering consciousness （e。g。； forgetting responsibilities that we really didn't want to do； projecting anger onto a spouse as opposed to your boss）。 Also called Defense Mechanisms； Defense System； or Ego Defenses。
Degrees of Freedom
The numbers of individual scores that can vary without changing the sample mean。 Statistically written as 'N…1' where N represents the number of subjects。
Delusion
False belief system （e。g。； believing you are Napoleon； have magical powers； or the false belief that others are 'out to get you。'）。
Dendrites
Extensions of the cell body of a neuron responsible for receiving ining neurotransmitters。
Dependent Variable
The variable in an experiment that is measured； the oute of an experiment。
Descriptive Statistics
The branch of statistics that focuses on describing in numerical format what is happening now within a population。 Descriptive statistics require that all subjects in the population （the entire class； all males in a school； all professors） be tested。
Developmental Psychology
The area of psychology focused on how children grow psychologically to bee who they are as adults。
Deviation IQ Score
A standard score used for reporting IQ scores where the mean is set to 100 and standard deviation to 15
Difference Threshold
The smallest change in perception which is noticeable at least 50％ of the time。
Discrimination
In behavioral theory； the learned ability to differentiate between two similar objects or situations。
Disorientation
Inability to recognize or be aware of who we are （person）； what we are doing （situation）； the time and date （time）； or where we are in relation to our environment （place）。 To be considered a problem； it must be consistent； result in difficulty functioning； and not due to forgetting or being lost。
Displacement
The pushing out of older information in short term memory to make room for new information。
Dispositional Attribute
An attribute explained or interpreted as being caused by internal influences。
Dissociation
A separation from the self； with the most severe resulting in Dissociative Identity Disorder。 Most of us experience this in very mild forms such as when we are driving long distance and lose time or find ourselves day dreaming longer than we thought。
Distinctiveness
The phenomenon in memory that states we are better able to remember information if it is distinctive or different from other information。
Divergent Thinking
The ability to use previously gained information to debate or discuss issues which have no agreed upon definitive resolutio