Latest Terms Added
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Moral
In psychology, “moral” pertains to the underlying principles that dictate certain forms of behavior and the corresponding actions which are considered right and wrong. Moral development encompasses mastery of ethical reasoning, empathy, and social responsibility. The works of Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg have posited the transformation of morality from sheer compliance to sophisticated moral…
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Disposition
Psychological dispositions are habitual patterns of emotional responses in relation to varying contexts. They capture the relative constancy of traits such as aggression, optimism, or sociability in the personality. Dispositions profoundly shape individuals’ perceptions, interactions, and personality, and hence figure prominently in the personality literature. For instance, a person with a cheerful disposition will more…
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Functionalism
Functionalism concerns itself with how psychological phenomena and behavior help someone adjust and accommodate to their surroundings. William James, in his opposition to the structuralists, was more concerned with the psychological functioning rather than the components of consciousness. He was also the first to emphasize applied psychology, with functionalism’s influence noted in educational and evolutionary…
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Encoding
The initial step in memory formation is encoding, which entails capturing raw information in a manner that it can later be recalled. The three components in the formation of memory are encoding, storage, and retrieval. Memories can be encoded in three different forms: visual, which entails the processing of images; acoustic, which entails the processing…
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Relative-deprivation
Relative deprivation theory describes the discontent felt by individuals as a result of a social comparison whereby one feels as if one is worse off than others, even when one’s position may be objectively satisfactory. The term explains how perceived inequality is a source of anger, grievance, and social disturbance. The phenomenon is studied and…
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Self-report-bias
Self-report bias occurs when respondents provide inaccurate or socially acceptable answers to surveys, interviews, or questionnaires. In the field of psychology, this phenomenon negatively impacts the validity of data obtained through self-report emotional, behavioral, or personality assessments. Self-report bias may arise due to a respondent’s faulty memory, misunderstanding of questions, or the tendency to engage…
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Split-half-reliability
Split-half reliability serves as an indicator of the internal consistency of a psychological test or measurement tool. It assesses reliability by splitting the test into two equal parts and correlating the results of each. If both halves result in similar outcomes, then the test is deemed reliable. This approach ascertains that the test items congruently…
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Computational-formula
Within the discipline of psychology, what is referred to as a computational formula involves the use of specific mathematical expressions which assist in obtaining the relevant figures, relations, or statistics. The use of these expressions helps to guarantee objectivity in scoring psychological tests, as well as in psychological research, and thereby enhances accuracy in data…
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Heuristic
A heuristic is a mental shortcut that assists in making decisions and understanding complex problems. They lead to efficiencies in thinking but can also produce biases. Some of the most common are the availability heuristic (making decisions based on easily retrievable instances) and the representativeness heuristic (making judgments based on likeness to a category). Heuristics…
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Cathexis
Cathexis is a term coined by Sigmund Freud. It is the mental or emotional investment of energy within a person, abstraction, or object. This investment enables attachments, motivation, and desire which a person energizes toward a fixation. In psychoanalytic theory, conflict and behavioral dynamics are explained through emotional cathexis concentrated on certain relationships or goals.…
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Size-constancy
Size constancy is a psychological phenomenon that enables individuals to perceive an object as having a given size, regardless of the distance or the changes to the visual image it produces. The phenomenon describes how the brain measures size based on context, depth perception, and memory. It aids humans in making sense of their surroundings…
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Altered-state-of-consciousness
An altered state of consciousness refers to a temporary mental condition in which perception, awareness, or thinking deviates from ordinary waking consciousness. These conditions can arise spontaneously (as in dreaming or daydreaming) or occur through the use of meditation, hypnosis, drugs, or sensory deprivation. The study of altered states of consciousness can provide insights into…
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Extrinsic-motivation
Extrinsic motivation entails partaking in an activity in order to achieve external incentives or consequences rather than for personal fulfillment. Such incentives consist of, but are not limited to, monetary compensation, academic marks, or awards. In contrast to intrinsic motivation, which is driven by personal enjoyment of an activity, extrinsic motivation focuses on the external…
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Vicarious-reinforcement
Vicarious reinforcement occurs when someone witnesses another individual being rewarded for certain behaviors and then becomes encouraged to replicate those actions. Bandura’s social learning theory posits this kind of learning as observation and imitation. This paradigm of reinforcement illustrates how new behaviors can be learned without firsthand experiences. Vicarious reinforcement and modeling are central to…
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Perspective-taking
Perspective taking means an individual understands the thoughts and feelings of another person and their viewpoint. It is key in empathy, communication, and moral development. It helps in social cooperation, conflict resolution, and prosocial behavior. It begins in childhood, when a person recognizes that others have different thoughts and feelings from their own. Improving this…
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Fixation
In psychology, fixation is defined as the unbalanced preoccupation with a particular phase, target, or behavior, often grounded in unresolved conflicts or unfulfilled needs. This construct was coined by Sigmund Freud in his psychosexual theory, where he claimed individuals may become fixated at a stage of development if pivotal conflicts are not resolved. He also…
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Subconscious
The subconscious mind encompasses cognitive functions that impact one’s thoughts, feelings, and actions without their active awareness. While not directly accessible, the subconscious contains the memory, habits, and reflexive behaviors that govern most daily actions. Within the discipline of psychology, the term ‘subconscious’ is most closely associated with the work of Freud and his tripartite…
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Social-trap
A social trap is a particular psychological circumstance where people rationally pursue their own self-interests which results in detriment to the whole group. It showcases the clash between individualistic shortsightedness and the welfare of the collective in the long run. Most commonly, people overuse resources and cause environmental damage. Within social psychology, the framework of…
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Covert-incest
Covert incest, or emotional incest, occurs when a parent inappropriately turns to a child for emotional support, crossing boundaries defined by the parent-child relationship. Covert incest does not involve sexual abuse; it consists of emotional manipulation, boundary violations, and the use of exploitative relationships. Covert incest can contribute to psychological guilt and confusion, an absence…
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Objectivity
In psychology, objectivity pertains to the capacity to describe and record details devoid of affective and evaluative attachments, as well as to forecast an outcome devoid of any prior hostile sentiment toward the subject concerned. This is a primary criterion of any investigative work, and this pertains to proper ethical conduct, guaranteeing impartiality and fairness…