Psychology Definitions

a specialised area of psychology that deals with the prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and mental disorders

a significant impairment of a person’s thoughts, emotions or behaviour which causes distress to themself or other people. Also affects their day to day functioning.

the process of identifying and classifying an illness or disorder on the basis of the

the treatment of physical or mental disorders or diseases. Therapies are drug-free.

usually require a brief or simple answer often involving one word such as yes or no.

require more than a single-word response. Often begin with ‘how’ or ‘what’

When a clinical psychologist demonstrates to the client that they have heard what they said and understand their point of view.

The act of repeating back or restating what the client has said to check for understanding.

Typically measure whatever skills and abilities the author of the test thinks constitutes intelligence.

instruments or techniques used to evaluate or asses personality

an assessment tool that involves having someone make up a story or describe what they see in response to unstructured stimuli such as ambiguous pictures, inkblots or play materials.

a statement written by the clinical psychologist that explains how a client’s problem has developed and what factors are keeping the problem going, which helps to identify the most effective treatment strategies.

Consists of over-activity a reduced need for sleep; a mood that is either elevated or irritable; and grandiose and self-important ideas.

has the same symptom as mania; however the symptoms last no longer than four days.

the term used to describe a psychological treatment which is based on the assumption that the way people feel and behave is largely a product of the way they think.

a specialised area of psychology that applies to psychological theory and skills to the understanding and functioning of the legal and criminal justice system

refers to the likelihood of a person committing a serious act of violence, with little provocation, in a variety or real-life situations.

a legal term that refers to a person having a mental disorder or an intellectual disability.

a type of mental disorder characterised by a disturbed personality

a state of heightened physical and emotional arousal associated with a feeling of apprehension, worry or uneasiness that something is wrong or something unpleasant may happen.

recurring upsetting or scary thoughts or images that come into a person’s mind even when they do not want them to.

behaviours or rituals that are repeated over and over, usually in exactly the same way, in order to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.

a method of assessing an offender’s risk of future violent behaviour.

If a child is 10-14 years old, they are considered incapable of committing a criminal act. They are not deemed criminally responsible unless the prosecution can prove they had the mens rea beyond reasonable doubt.

an intense, persistent and irrational fear of being in places or situation from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing.

correct prediction that the individual will be violent

a correct prediction that the individual will not be violent

incorrectly identifies someone as posing a future risk of violence when in fact they do not.

incorrectly identifies someone as posing no future risk of violence when in fact they do.

a person who has specialised knowledge, skill or experience in the information they present before a court

consists of facts from the domain of the expert witness’s expertise.