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Terms Type Definition
sadnesssadness concept an emotion characterized by feelings of unhappiness, disadvantage, loss, and helplessness.
saliencesalience concept a parameter of a stimulus that indexes its effectiveness.
Salthouse and Babcock Listening Span task Salthouse and Babcock Listening Span task task Participants listen to an experimenter read a set of sentences. The participant must simultaneously respond to comprehension questions, and record or remember the last word of each sentence. The measure of "listening span" is then the number of correct words recalled.
Same-Different TaskSame-Different Task task A task which assesses shifting attention. In the computerized version of this task, three spaceships appear on a screen and the participant must determine if the spaceships are all different or all the same...
scene recognition taskscene recognition task task No definition submitted yet.
schemaschema concept a diagrammatic presentation; broadly; a structured framework or plan; a mental codification of experience that includes a particular organized way of perceiving cognitively and responding to a complex situation or set of stimuli.
searchsearch concept to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something; to look through or explore by inspecting possible places of concealment or investigating suspicious circumstances; to look at as if to discover or penetrate intention or nature; to uncover, find, or come to know by inquiry or scrutiny.
selective attentionselective attention concept When multiple external sensory inputs are present, the process of dedicating cognitive and perceptual resources to one type/set of input and attenuating receptiveness to other inputs.
selective attention taskselective attention task task involves a participant to attend to a specific stimuli in the presence of competing stimuli.
selective stop signal taskselective stop signal task task A version of the stop signal task where inhibition is contingent upon both the presence of the stop signal and the particular stimulus.
self monitoringself monitoring concept measurement of one's own behavior.
Self-controlSelf-control concept The effortful control of behaviors, thoughts, or emotions with the aim of increasing the likelihood of attaining long-term over short-term outcomes.
self-ordered pointing taskself-ordered pointing task task A task in which a set of stimuli is presented, and subjects must point to one stimulus at a time, without ever pointing at the same stimulus twice.
Self-RegulationSelf-Regulation concept the control of one's own behavior through self-monitoring of the conditions that evoke desired and undesired behavior, structuring the personal environment to facilitate desired behavior and circumvent situations that tend to elicit undesired behavior.
semantic anomaly judgement tasksemantic anomaly judgement task task Participants read or listen to sentences, then judge whether the sentence is plausible and makes sense semantically, or is implausible. Sentences may be structurally and gramatically correct, but the verb and noun are incompatible...
semantic association tasksemantic association task task Participants are shown pairs of words or pictures and asked to identify if the items are semantically related.
semantic categorysemantic category concept is a grouping of vocabulary within a language, organizing words which are interrelated and define each other in various ways. Also referred to as a semantic field.

semantic classification tasksemantic classification task task A task in which the subject classifies stimuli based on meaning
semantic decision tasksemantic decision task task A task in which a subject makes a decision about the meaning of a stimulus.
semantic fluency tasksemantic fluency task task
semantic informationsemantic information concept information that is not tied to any specific object, event, domain, or application. It includes general factual information about the world (as in an encyclopedia) and oneself.
semantic knowledgesemantic knowledge concept long-established knowledge about objects, facts, and word meanings.
semantic memorysemantic memory concept refers to one's conceptual knowledge and includes the meanings of words, factual information about the world, and other information not related to specific events or episodes
semantic memory tasksemantic memory task task A task requiring the subject to use knowledge retrieved from semantic memory.
semantic processingsemantic processing concept refers to the cognitive processing of the memory of meanings, understandings, and other concept-based knowledge unrelated to specific experiences.
semantic relatedness tasksemantic relatedness task task A task in which subjects judge whether a set of stimuli are related by meaning.
semantic tasksemantic task task Any task that requires subjects to process the meaning of stimuli
semantic working memorysemantic working memory concept Working memory for meaning
Sense of body ownershipSense of body ownership concept The feeling that something is part of one's own body.
Sense of ownershipSense of ownership concept The feeling that something is part of one self.
sensory memorysensory memory concept brief storage of sensory information in each of the senses, which temporarily holds material (e.g., a perceptual experience) for recoding into another memory (such as short-term memory) or for comprehension.
sentence completion testsentence completion test task a test that provides respondents with beginnings of sentences, referred to as “stems,” and respondents then complete the sentences in ways that are meaningful to them. The responses are believed to provide indications of attitudes, beliefs, motivations, or other mental states...
sentence comprehensionsentence comprehension concept takes place whenever a reader or listener processes a language utterance, either in isolation or in the context of a conversation or a text.
sentence comprehension tasksentence comprehension task task
sentence processingsentence processing concept takes place whenever a reader or listener cognitively processes a language utterance, either in isolation or in the context of a conversation or a text.
sentence productionsentence production concept No definition submitted yet
sequence learningsequence learning concept learning of a sequence of items or responses in the precise order of their presentation.
Sequence Recall/LearningSequence Recall/Learning task Subjects learn and/or perform a complex sequence of finger tapping, button pressing, pointing/clicking, or various other motor responses.
sequential shape matchingsequential shape matching task Participants are shown an object for a fixed period. After an interstimulus interval, typically with no intervening object presentations, a second object is presented. The second object is either the same or a different object...
serial learningserial learning concept The process of acquiring information in sequence and following an order that must be preserved at recall.
serial processingserial processing concept information processing in which only one sequence of processing operations is carried on at a time.
serial reaction time taskserial reaction time task task
serial searchserial search concept The process of identifying a target within a set of candidate elements by testing the identity of each element against the identity of the sought after target one at a time.
set shiftingset shifting concept The process of changing ones behavioral objective.
Set-shifting taskSet-shifting task task A task in which participants alternate between two or more judgments typically regarding the same set of stimuli. Accuracy and reaction time are measured for each judgment.
shadowingshadowing concept speech shadowing is an experimental technique, used in psycholinguistics, in which subjects repeat speech immediately after hearing it (usually through earphones).

shadowing taskshadowing task task
shallow processingshallow processing concept a mode of thinking in which one pays attention only to appearances and other superficial aspects of the material, typically leading to poor memory retention.
shameshame concept a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety; a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute; something that brings censure or reproach.
short term memoryshort term memory concept A limited-capacity and short-lasting representation of information in the mind. The duration of short-term memory is on the order of seconds, while its capacity is on the order of 4 to 9 independent items.
short-term memory taskshort-term memory task task
Simon taskSimon task task Subjects view arrows presented in the right or left visual field that were pointing to the left or right. Subjects respond via button press as to the direction of the arrow. In incongruent stimuli, left-pointing arrows are seen on the right side, and vice versa...
simple reaction time tasksimple reaction time task task task that assesses the ability of the subject to respond to an external cue and retrieve a reward.
single-task weather prediction single-task weather prediction task is a feedback driven classification learning task in which a subject is presented with a stimuli (ex-geometric shapes) and has to classify them into one of two categories (ex-rainy or sunny weather), and then receives feedback on if the response was correct or incorrect...
skepticismskepticism concept an attitude of doubt or a disposition to incredulity either in general or toward a particular object.
skillskill concept Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is acquired or developed through training or experience.
skill acquisitionskill acquisition concept The process of learning to perform a task or set of tasks with increasing facility. Typically implies the formation of procedural (as distinct from semantic or episodic) memories.
skill learningskill learning concept learning to perform a task with proficiency, as defined by ease, speed, and accuracy of performance, acquired through a high degree of practice.
social cognitionsocial cognition concept the encoding, storage, retrieval, and processing, in the brain, of information relating to conspecifics, or members of the same species.
social contextsocial context concept the identical or similar social positions and social roles as a whole that influence the individuals of a group.
social intelligencesocial intelligence concept the ability to function successfully in interpersonal situations.
social judgment tasksocial judgment task task
somatosensationsomatosensation concept the components of the central and peripheral nervous systems that receive and interpret sensory information from organs in the joints, ligaments, muscles, and skin. This system processes information about the length, degree of stretch, tension, and contraction of muscles; pain; temperature; pressure; and joint position.
somatosensory perceptionsomatosensory perception concept the act or faculty of apprehending by means of the senses relating to the perception and proprioception of sensory stimuli from the skin and internal organs.
source memorysource memory concept the episodic source from which a specific item was acquired (e.g., from a person, a book, or television (Schacter, Kaszniak, Kihlstrom, & Valdiserri, 1991, p. 559).
source memory testsource memory test task Participants are shown a list or series of items (words, pictures, objects). Later, when shown an item, they are asked whether it has was shown to them before, and if they respond affirmatively, they are asked a question about the source of the item...
source monitoringsource monitoring concept The process of identifying the the source or context at acquisition of information that has been stored in memory.
Span/Supra-Span TestSpan/Supra-Span Test task Participants are given sequences to recall that exceed their working memory span, usually by about 2 items, however the sequence contains a smaller repeating sequence(s) among the non-repeating items.
spatial abilityspatial ability concept skill in perceiving the visual world, transforming and modifying initial perceptions, and mentally recreating spatial aspects of one's visual experience without the relevant stimuli.
spatial attentionspatial attention concept The allocation or prioritization of mental resources based on spatial coordinates (with respect to the body, head etc).
spatial cognitionspatial cognition concept the acquisition, organization, utilization, and revision of knowledge about spatial environments.
spatial cueingspatial cueing concept In a typical Spatial Cueing experiment, performed on a computer in the following example, the participant is cued with the likely spatial location of a target stimulus and then asked to respond as quickly as possible when the target stimulus appears in any location on screen.
spatial delayed response taskspatial delayed response task task No definition submitted yet.
spatial memoryspatial memory concept the part of memory responsible for recording information about one's environment and its spatial orientation.
spatial n-back taskspatial n-back task task Participants view a configuration of dots and must indicate whether the dot is in the same position as the dot in the picture presented n previously (0,1,2,or 3). In some variations, participants are asked to identify the location of the dot n pictures back, rather than indicating if the current dot matches.
spatial span testspatial span test task No definition submitted yet.
spatial working memoryspatial working memory concept The ability to maintain online information that relates to space. This process has limited capacity and its contents are not stored permanently.
spatial working memory taskspatial working memory task task
Spatial/Location DiscriminationSpatial/Location Discrimination task Subjects view shapes or other stimuli (letters, pictures, numbers, or arrows) and discriminate according to their location, orientation, or size.
speech perceptionspeech perception concept the process by which the sounds of language are heard, interpreted and understood.
speech processingspeech processing concept the study of speech signals and the processing methods of these signals.
speech productionspeech production concept is the process by which spoken words are selected to be produced, have their phonetics formulated and then finally are articulated by the motor system in the vocal apparatus. Speech production can be spontaneous such as when a person creates the words of a conversation, reaction such as when they name a picture or read aloud a written word, or a vocal imitation such as in speech repetition...
spelling taskspelling task task A task in which subjects are asked to spell words.
Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety QuestionnaireSpielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire task instrument used to measure trait (chronic) anxiety, a general propensity to be anxious, and state (temporary) anxiety, a temporary state varying in intensity, in adults.
spreading activationspreading activation concept a method for searching associative networks, neural networks, or semantic networks; the search process is initiated by labeling a set of source nodes (e.g. concepts in a semantic network) with weights or "activation" and then iteratively propagating or "spreading" that activation out to other nodes linked to the source nodes.
stereopsisstereopsis concept the process in visual perception leading to the sensation of depth from the two slightly different projections of the world onto the retinas of the two eyes.
stereotypesstereotypes concept something conforming to a fixed or general pattern; a standardized mental picture that is held in common by members of a group and that represents an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment.
Sternberg delayed recognition taskSternberg delayed recognition task task Subjects view a string of letters. After a delay, a probe letter is presented and subjects indicate if the presented letter was in the previously viewed group.
Stockings of Cambridge TaskStockings of Cambridge Task task No definition submitted yet.
stop signal taskstop signal task task A task in which an external stimulus signals the participant to interrupt an already-initiated motor response.
stop-change taskstop-change task task A task in which the subject makes a discriminative response by default, but makes a different response upon presentation of a stop signal.
strategic learningstrategic learning concept The strategy through which learners adapt their learning style in order to fit with the needs of the task.
strategystrategy concept A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal.
stressstress concept refers to the consequence of the failure of an organism – human or animal – to respond appropriately to emotional or physical threats, whether actual or imagined.
Stroop taskStroop task task Subjects view color names presented in various ink colors and are instructed to name the color of the ink. In incongruent stimuli, color names and ink colors are non-matching.
Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Axis I DisorderStructured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorder task a diagnostic exam used to determine DSM-IV Axis I disorders (mental health disorders). It covers 6 diagnostic categories, and is often used in conjunction with an unstructured interview. The exam includes an administration booklet of questions for the examiner to ask and a scoresheet...
subconscioussubconscious concept Subconscious is any neural activity which has the potential to be conscious, but at the moment is processed below the level of consciousness.



In contrast to unconscious information processing, subconscious processing contains meaning (semantic information)...
Subjective Emotional Picture DiscriminationSubjective Emotional Picture Discrimination task Subjects view pictures and are instructed to respond to emotional pictures, to indicate which pictures are pleasant/unpleasant or funny/not funny, or rate the valence of emotional pictures.
sublexical routesublexical route concept is a theoretical component of Coltheart's dual-route reading model that refers to using spelling-to-sound correspondences to convert a written word (i.e. orthography) into a spoken word (i.e. phonology)...
subliminal perceptionsubliminal perception concept a visual or auditory message that is allegedly perceived psychologically, but not consciously;
occurs when a stimulus is too weak to be perceived yet a person is influenced by it.
subordinatesubordinate concept placed in or occupying a lower class, rank, or position; inferior; submissive to or controlled by authority.
supervisory attentional systemsupervisory attentional system concept a loosely defined collection of brain processes that are responsible for planning, cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking, rule acquisition, initiating appropriate actions and inhibiting inappropriate actions, and selecting relevant sensory information.
surprisesurprise concept a brief emotional state that is the result of experiencing an unexpected relevant event.
sustained attentionsustained attention concept the ability to maintain a consistent behavioral response during continuous and repetitive activity.
sustained attention to response tasksustained attention to response task task No definition submitted yet.
switch taskswitch task task A paradigm requiring subjects to switch between performing multiple different individual tasks.
symbol-digit substitutionsymbol-digit substitution task DSST is a neuropsychological test sensitive to brain damage, dementia, age and depression. It isn’t sensitive to the location of brain-damage (except for damage comprising part of the visual field). It consists of (e...
Symptom Checklist-90-Revised Symptom Checklist-90-Revised task a relatively brief self-report psychometric instrument designed to evaluate a broad range of psychological problems and symptoms of psychopathology. It is also useful in measuring the progress and outcome of psychiatric and psychological treatments or for research purposes.
synchrony judgment tasksynchrony judgment task task Participants decide whether the unimodal cues to a crossmodal event (stimulus) were in temporal synchrony or not, i.e., whether they were "in synch" or "out of synch".
synchrony perceptionsynchrony perception concept the process of perceiving whether or not the crossmodal cues (e.g., audio and visual) to an event (e.g., audiovisual speech) are in temporal synchrony with each other.
syntactic acceptability judgement tasksyntactic acceptability judgement task task Also called the syntactic plausibility judgment task, this task asks participants to read sentences and indicate whether or not they are gramatically correct.
Syntactic DiscriminationSyntactic Discrimination task Subjects viewed grammatically correct and incorrect sentences and discriminate according to their grammar. This class also includes morphosyntactic tasks such as gender discrimination of words.
syntactic parsingsyntactic parsing concept the way that human beings, rather than computers, analyze a sentence or phrase (in spoken language or text) in terms of grammatical constituents, identifying the parts of speech, syntactic relations, etc.
syntactic processingsyntactic processing concept processing of the structural and grammatical aspects of language
syntactic tasksyntactic task task A class of tasks involving the processing of linguistic syntax.
syntaxsyntax concept the way in which linguistic elements (as words) are put together to form constituents (as phrases or clauses); a connected or orderly system, harmonious arrangement of parts or elements.