Glossary D

Dimensional Approach refers to an approach to study personality that posits continuous trait dimensions along which people can vary, instead of qualitatively different types.

dimensional approach refers to the method of categorizing characteristics on a continuum rather than on a binary, either-or, or all-or none basis.

Deutsch: Dimensionale Klassifikation / Español: Clasificación Dimensional / Português: Classificação Dimensional / Français: Classification Dimensionnelle / Italiano: Classificazione Dimensionale /

Dimensional Classification refers to an empirically based approach to the Diagnosis and Classification of child psychopathology which assumes that there are a number of independent dimensions or traits of behavior and that all children possess these dimensions to varying degrees.

Dimensions Continua is a term in a Dimensional classification system when individuals may be seen as falling on any point of a continuum ranging from total absence of a disorder to its most severe manifestation.

Diminished capacity refers to evidence of an abnormal mental condition in people that causes criminal charges against them requiring intent or knowledge to be reduced to lesser offenses requiring only reckless or criminal neglect.

- Diogenes (ca. 412_323 B.C.) : Diogenes is a scientist/philosopher who advocated natural impulse as the proper guide for action instead of social convention so like his mentor Antisthenes

Dionysiac-Orphic religion is defined as a religion whose major belief was that the soul becomes a prisoner of the body because of some transgression committed by the soul. The soul continues on a circle of transmigrations until it has been purged of sin, at which time it can escape its earthly existence and return to its pure, divine existence among the gods. A number of magical practices were thought useful in releasing the soul from its bodily tomb.

Dionysian aspect of human nature is a term which according to Nietzsche refers to that part of humans that seeks chaos, adventure, and passionate experiences.