Glossary

Antidepressants

Medication prescribed by a medical practitioner. Often used to treat depression and anxiety.

Behavioural sciences

Behavioural sciences explore how animals and humans think and behave. It involves the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behaviour through observation and controlled scientific experimentation.

Biological psychiatry

Biological psychiatry is an approach to psychiatry that seeks to understand mental illness in terms of the biological function of the nervous system.

Biomedicine

Biomedicine is a branch of medical science that draws upon biology to explain and understand health and ill health.

Dyslexia

A common learning difficulty that can cause problems with reading, writing and spelling.

Dyspraxia

A developmental disorder of the brain in childhood causing difficulty in activities requiring coordination and movement.

Evidence-based model

A model based on evidence.

Evidence-based narrative

Defined as stories with an identifiable beginning, middle, and end that provide information about circumstances, individuals, and conflict; raise unanswered questions or unresolved conflict; and provide solutions. They provide a way of communicating clinical assessments.

Formulation

A particular expression of an idea, thought, or theory.

Hypotheses

A supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.

IQ

An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from a set of standardized tests or subtests designed to assess human intelligence.

Learning difficulties

A difficulty with learning. Examples might include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia and autism for instance.

Multi-disciplinary team

Professionals and practitioners form a number of different disciplines such as health, psychology and social care for instance.

Neuro-developmental

Development of the nervous system, including the brain and neurological responses.

Psychotherapeutic colleagues

Psychotherapy is a type of therapeutic approach used by psychologists.

Qualitative

Relating to the measurement of something based on its qualities rather than its quantity. In psychological research terms, qualitative assessment relies on unstructured and non-numerical data such as those derived through observations, field notes and interviews.

Sensory integration

How our brain receives and processes sensory information so that we can do the things we need to do in our everyday life.

Theory

A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something.

Therapeutic approaches

Therapeutic approaches refer to the different approaches taken by psychologists for example in treating particular conditions.