Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

social psychology

 
The scientifi c study of how 
people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are 
affected by others (Module 52).

social support

 
A mutual network of caring, 
interested others (Module 43).

social supporter

 
A group member whose dis-
senting views make nonconformity to the 
group easier (Module 53).

sociocultural perspective

 
The perspective that 
assumes that people’s behavior—both normal 
and abnormal—is shaped by the kind of family 
group, society, and culture in which they live 
(Module 46).

somatic division

 
The part of the peripheral 
nervous system that specializes in the control of 
voluntary movements and the communication 
of information to and from the sense organs 
(Module 8).

somatoform disorders

 
Psychological diffi cul-
ties that take on a physical (somatic) form, but 
for which there is no medical cause (Module 47).

sound

 
The movement of air molecules brought 
about by a source of vibration (Module 12).

spinal cord

 
A bundle of neurons that leaves the 
brain and runs down the length of the back and 
is the main means for transmitting messages 
between the brain and the body (Module 8).

spontaneous recovery

 
The reemergence of an 
extinguished conditioned response after a 
period of rest and with no further conditioning 
(Module 17).

spontaneous remission

 
Recovery without 
treatment (Module 50).

stage 1 sleep

 
The state of transition between 
wakefulness and sleep, characterized by rela-
tively rapid, low-amplitude brain waves 
(Module 14).