Thanatos, or the death instinct, is an extension of the psychoanalytic framework of Sigmund Freud, wherein he proposed the existence of an unconscious drive to destroy, get aggressive, or revert to an inanimate condition. While Eros (the life instinct) focuses on survival and creativity, Freud viewed Thanatos as the drive toward aggression, greater self-harm or […]
Disorientation involves confusion regarding one’s identity, time, or location. This condition could involve temporary gaps in this cognitive function, for instance, disorientation can occur right after waking from sleep, or it could occur as part a cognitive or psychological condition, such as delirium, dementia, or trauma. The condition is often accompanied by a failure to […]
In the field of psychology, the term derangement implies a fracture in the workings of the mind, particularly in relation to disordering one’s thoughts and losing touch with reality. In the past, the term derangement was used to describe an entire mental disorder, but nowadays it has been replaced in clinical terminology due to the […]
Deprivation in psychology involves the absence or loss of something essential for the individual’s well-being, such as food, sleep, stimulation, or affection. It can be manifested in many forms, such as physical (nutritional deficiency), emotional (lack of parental warmth), or social (isolation). There is research indicating that the lasting effects of deprivation, particularly in childhood, […]
Discrimination derives from the unjust or inequitable treatment of people based on socially constructed characteristics, such as one’s race, gender, age, or disability, rather than individual credentials or characteristics. Discrimination occurs on individual, larger institutional and societal levels, and results cumulatively in damage to one’s mental health, loss of self-esteem, and the subsequent loss of […]
The notion of dehumanization in psychology focuses on the concept of perceiving or treating someone in the absence of humanity, primarily by denying the notion of personhood, dignity, or worth. It can manifest in subtle forms such as stereotyping or objectification, and in extreme cases, extreme violence, discrimination, and oppression. For example, during a great […]
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 […]