Assigning the level of current pubertal development to a male or female based on the observable characteristics of physical and sexual development. Pictures or line drawings are used for the individual and/or parent to denote which of five stages of physical maturity (pre-pubertal with no secondary sexual characteristics through to fully post-pubertal with a completed …
Author Archives: Brian Hopkins
Tabula rasa (or blank slate)
A metaphor used by John Locke (1632-1704) to describe the newborn mind as being free from any structure or knowledge (i.e., of innate a priori knowledge), and that this blank slate is written upon by experience of any sort to furnish the mind with ideas . See Innate
T2 signal-weighted (T2-W) technique
magnetic resonance images based upon tissue differences in spin-spin relaxation time (T2). In fact, it measures rate of spin phases in contrast to T1 that detects the half life of inverted spins Used in fMRI, with BOLD effects being measured using a T2 imaging process. T2 images have with moderately good spatial and temporal resolution, …
T1 signal-weighted (T1-W) technique
magnetic resonance images based upon tissue differences in spin-lattice relaxation time (T1). Used in high-resolution sMRI See Brain (neuro-) imaging, Diffusion tensor imaging, Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI)
Systems approach
A theoretical approach that emphasises reciprocal influences between the levels and components of a system, which give rise to emergence of new properties. See Emergence, Dynamical systems approaches, General systems theory, System
Systemogenesis
As formulated by Pyotr Kur‚aamich Anokhin (1898-1974), and based on the principle of heterochrony, it holds that development consists of the selective and accelerated maturation of particular structures and functions. Accordingly, prenatal development follows a heterochronous sequence of events to ensure optimal adaptation and survival, especially in the neonatal period. While not an explanatory concept, …
Systemic functional linguistics
A theory of language closely associated with the linguist Michael Halliday that considers the function of language as of primary concern in terms of what the language is doing and how it achieves this. Social context as acted upon and constrained by language is the starting point for analysis . See Generative grammar approach, Transformational …
Systemizing
The drive to analyse a system, or construct a system. See Autism
Systemic causality
A term coined by Jaan Valsiner in opposition to simple linear causality or what he referred to as elementaristic causality. It holds that the outcomes of a developing system are not due to one of its elements, but rest on functional relationships between them. As a consequence, if there is a change in one of …
System
Difficult to give a precise definition, it can be conceptualised as a set of objects together with relationships between the objects and between their attributes. In this definition, objects are parts or components of a system (i.e., sub-systems), attributes are properties of its sub-systems, and relationships are the propositions that link the various sub-systems together …