Latest Terms Added
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Maladaptation
Maladaptation in psychology can be defined as patterns of thought, behaviour or coping patterns that have evolved in order to cope with stress or other problems but which are harmful or counterproductive in the long term. The maladaptive responses disrupt growth, relationships, and the well-being of people unlike the adaptive strategies, which allow people to…
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Machiavellianism
Machiavellianism in psychology is described as a personality trait that involves manipulation and exploitation, and self-interest being considered at the expense of others. It is among the characteristics of the Dark Triad of personality, including narcissism and psychopathy. Individuals with high Machiavellianism tend to be tactical, and ready to employ deception to get their way.…
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Interpersonal relations
Interpersonal relations in psychology are defined as the connection and interaction that individuals have with other people, whether it is a close personal relationship or just any social relationship. The relationships play fundamental roles in human life because they affect emotional status, identity and behavior. Interpersonal relationships may be of different types such as friendship,…
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Prognosis
Prognosis in psychology and mental health is a field which is used to refer to the probable future of a condition and the likelihood of improvement, recovery or prolonged management. It is influenced by several conditions including the nature and the extent of the disorder, duration that the person has been experiencing the disorder, his…
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Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessment is a systematic procedure of getting to know how an individual thinks, feels, thinks or behaves. It integrates the use of various instruments like standardized tests, interviews, observations and questionnaires in order to collect the right and handy information. The aim is not just to diagnose, but also to indicate the strengths, define…
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Trait
A trait in psychology is a reasonably stable feature or quality that affects the way an individual thinks, feels, and acts in various circumstances. Traits are said to be the building block of personality as they form consistent patterns of behavior in human beings. The qualities of extraversion and conscientiousness, as an example, will make…
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Psychologist
A psychologist is a specialist who is trained to study the science of mind and behavior in a scientifically-based manner and utilizes evidence to comprehend the way individuals think, feel, and behave. Psychologists are employed in a wide range of fields such as clinical practice, research, education, health, sports and organizations. They may be engaged…
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Abnormal Behavior
The term abnormal behavior in psychology is used to refer to a type of behavior, thoughts or feelings which are not normal or socially acceptable, which normally results in distress or disrupts normal daily functioning. It cannot be defined by one factor but instead it can be characterized as a union of factors, such as…
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Counselor
A counselor is a qualified practitioner who offers support, advice and organized plans to assist individuals to overcome emotional, psychological, social, or academic difficulties. The task of a counselor is not to provide direct advice, but to establish a nonjudgmental and safe environment in which individuals can examine their thoughts and emotions, form awareness, and…
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Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
The Intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of the comparative cognitive ability of an individual in relation to others of the same age. This is frequently assessed using standardized tests of abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, memory, and verbal ability. The score is typically scaled such that the mean IQ is 100 and most individuals…
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Interdependence
Interdependence in psychology is the characteristic by which individuals depend upon each other for support, connection and development. It shows that human beings are social beings by nature and that the quality of our relationships is important to our happiness and success. Unlike dependence, which can involve relying too much on others, interdependence is a…
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Disorder
In psychology, a disorder is a condition that affects a person’s thinking, feeling, or behavior such that someone’s daily life is significantly disturbed or affected by distress. Disorders aren’t passing struggles or everyday challenges; they are persistent patterns and often hinder someone’s ability to function in work, school or relationships. Mental disorders can be very…
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Experiment
An experiment is a psychological study used to explain cause and effect relationships. It is the technique of carefully varying conditions of an experiment so that the effects of changing one of the factors (independent variable) on another of the factors (dependent variable) can be observed. For example, a researcher may vary the amount of…
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Predisposition
In psychology, predisposition is a tendency, inclination or a susceptibility to developing a disorder or disease that can make a person more likely to think, feel or behave in specific ways. That does not mean that it is certain that you will always have the result, but it makes it more likely to occur. Predispositions…
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Conscious
Conscious means the condition of being conscious or aware of yourself and of objects around you. In the context of psychology, it refers to the aspect of the mind that contains thoughts, feelings and experiences that we consciously access and reflect on. For instance, when you’re deciding what to eat or recalling a conversation or…
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Free Association
Free association is a psychological technique that was originally developed by Sigmund Freud as part of psychoanalysis. It’s a basic process in psychoanalysis where a person says whatever is on his mind, without any inhibition, no matter how random, embarrassing or unrelated it may seem. The purpose is to get past conscious control and uncover…
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Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that researches how the mind works. It is concerned with mental activity like learning, memory, problem solving, decision making, and language. Cognitive psychology has been influenced by some major founders who defied behaviorism by emphasizing mental processes. The field was defined by Ulric Neisser, commonly known as the…
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Cognition
Cognition is the general term used in psychology to refer to mental activities associated with the acquisition of knowledge and understanding. It involves thinking skills such as memory, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. In simple terms, cognition is a mind’s ability to process information by taking it in, processing it, and then using it to…
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Schema
A schema, as used in the field of psychology, is a cognitive map that humans use to structure and interpret information. It is a type of mental shortcut that helps us to quickly make sense of the world based on our previous experiences and knowledge. For instance, when you enter a restaurant, you already have…
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Adolescence
Adolescence is a stage of development which starts with puberty (8 to 12 years) and ends around the age of 20 to 24. This period varies depending on when the person is mature enough physiologically or neurologically. In this stage there are extreme changes in developmental domains including biological, psychosocial, emotional and cognitive changes. Noticeable…