Glossary 447
M
macular degeneration.
Eye disease that causes
people to have difficulty seeing objects inside the
center of the field of vision. (12)
mainstreaming.
The placement of special needs
students who show the ability to keep up with the
curriculum into a regular classroom. (8)
major.
Area of study that outlines classes needed
to complete a program and achieve a particular
degree. (15)
malignant.
Term used to describe growths or tumors
that are cancerous. (11)
malnutrition.
A chronic problem caused by a
significant lack of nutrients within a person’s
diet. (8)
mammogram.
X-ray of the breasts that checks for
unusual tissue growth, which can identify early
signs of breast cancer. (11)
manipulative experiments.
Method of data
collection used to keep all the variables that
affect behavior the same except for one. (2)
marriage and family therapist.
Counselor who
helps individuals, couples, and families resolve
conflicts. (17)
material exploitation.
The misuse of an older
adult’s financial resources, property, or possessions.
(14)
maternity leave.
Paid or unpaid time off from work
to care for a new child. (3)
matriarch.
The oldest and most influential female
family member. (12)
maturity.
The ability to adapt to the inevitable
changes that happen in life. (11)
medical neglect.
Failure to provide necessary
treatment for injuries, illnesses, or other health
conditions. (14)
Medicare.
A government health insurance program
that helps older adults pay for medical costs. (12)
menopause.
When menstruation ceases for a year or
more and women can no longer reproduce. (11)
mental health counselor.
Therapist who assesses,
addresses, and treats mental and emotional issues
such as anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or
grief. (17)
metacognition.
Thinking about thinking
processes. (7)
metamemory.
Thinking about memory. (7)
metaphors.
Figure of speech used to connect
two seemingly unlike objects or ideas that have
something in common. (9)
middle schools.
Includes grades 5 or 6 through 8. (16)
Millennial Generation.
People born between the
years of 1980 and 1995. (11)
moral decisions.
Personal choices that evaluate what
is right and what is wrong. (2)
morphology.
Refers to word structures and
formations. (7)
mortality.
Eventual death. (12)
mortgage.
A legally binding contract in which
property is security for borrowed money. (14)
mourning.
The period when people remember
and grieve for the loss of a beloved one. (12)
multiculturalism.
The idea that cultural identities
should not be ignored, but instead should be
maintained and valued. (3)
myopia.
A condition that results in difficulty
seeing objects that are far away. Also called
nearsightedness.
(8)
MyPlate.
Food guidance system created by the USDA
to help people ages 2 and older make healthful food
choices. (7)
N
nannies.
Professionals hired to care for children in
their own home. (13)
natural childbirth.
Birth procedures that focus on
relaxation techniques instead of medication to deal
with pain. (4)
natural environment.
All living and nonliving
things on Earth not influenced by people. (3)
naturalistic experiments.
Method of data
collection used to only observe existing groups and
record observations. (2)
nature versus nurture debate.
The debate
between genetic and environmental influences on
development. (1)
neonates.
Babies from birth to age 1 month. (5)
networking.
The act of meeting and making contact
with people who may be of help in finding a
job. (15)
nonsectarian.
Schools that are not based on any
religious affiliation. (16)
nutrient-dense.
Refers to foods that are rich in
vitamins and minerals and contain relatively few
calories. (8)
O
obesity.
An excessive amount of body fat. (8)
object permanence.
The understanding that people,
places, or objects still exist even when they are out of
sight or can no longer be heard or touched. (5)