Psychology Terms Definitions

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Latest Definitions

  • 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. They are not always impulsive, and instead they are deliberate and pragmatic, placing more emphasis on power and control than morality. Indicatively, at work place, an employee with high Machiavellian qualities may impress others to influence them but subsequently use such influences to benefit him/herself.

    It has been found that Machiavellianism has been associated with diminished empathy, diminished prosocial behavior, and increased interpersonal conflict, but in certain competitive contexts it can lead to short-term benefits. Psychologists research this trait in order to learn how it influences relationships, leadership and even ethical decision-making among other impacts that it has on organizational and social dynamics.

  • 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, family relationships, romantic relationships, and work relationships, all of which are influenced by communication, trust, empathy, and common experience.

    Good interpersonal relationships are attributed to a higher resilience, reduced stress, and mental and physical health, whereas poor or dysfunctional relationships may also lead to anxiety, depression, and other complications. To illustrate, supportive friendships may mitigate the impact of life stress, but ongoing conflict in intimate relationships may worsen the outcomes of mental health. Recent studies emphasize the importance of interpersonal skills, including active listening and managing emotions in establishing and sustaining good relationships. The knowledge of interpersonal relations assists psychologists in coming up with interventions to advance social support, minimize conflict, and bolster community and personal well-being.

  • 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 or her resilience, social support and access to effective treatment.

    There is no predetermined prognosis; it may vary according to conditions and treatment. Indicatively, when an individual, who is going through major depressive disorder has early therapy and has a strong family support the prognosis, is often positive and the individual is able to recover significantly and resume normal functioning. Conversely, a person diagnosed with schizophrenia who does not get treatment and social support might have a harder prognosis that continues to trouble him in everyday life. Knowledge of prognosis helps clinicians to create achievable objectives, customize therapy, and assist people to anticipate the obstacles and chances of the recovery process.

  • 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 challenges, and inform treatment, education or personal development.

    Psychological testing is a popular clinical intervention procedure to assess mental health, at schools to detect learning disorders, and at workplaces to aid the career planning and growth of employees. The most popular ones are intelligence tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), personality assessments, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), and screening tests, such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Recent research indicates that tests can enhance the quality of the diagnosis, forecast the results of the treatment, and customize the care. Digital platforms are also advancing and therefore assessments are becoming more accessible and efficient without compromising scientific reliability and validity.

  • 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 a person who is higher in extraversion tend to be more outgoing, energetic and sociable; whereas a person who is higher in conscientiousness will be organized, responsible and goal oriented.

    The contemporary studies of personality tend to be based on the Five-Factor Model that defines five dimensions of traits namely openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Traits are not regarded as fixed but are just tendencies which interrelate with the settings and experiences, that is, they can be termed differently depending on the situation. The recent literature lays stress on the genetic, biological, and social factors on traits, as well as their significance to forecast the mental health, career success, and overall well-being. Knowledge of traits enables the psychologists to evaluate personality better and to also guide personal development.

  • 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 in evaluating mental health, treating individuals, planning interventions, or carrying out research to develop the understanding of human behavior.

    Psychiatrists do not always prescribe medication; this is because unlike them, psychologists do not usually prescribe medication, but rather concentrate on psychological therapeutic modalities, counseling, and behavioral approaches to help an individual achieve positive mental health and wellbeing. Recent studies focus on psychological interventions that are effective in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma, and research indicates that quality of life is improved permanently with psychological intervention administered by trained psychologists. In addition to mental health care, psychologists also help formulate policies, enhance education, and enhance healthy working environments. Their primary concern is the use of psychological science to ensure the more effective functioning and resilience of individuals (as well as communities).

  • 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 statistical rarity, violation of social norms, personal distress and disabilities in key areas of life.

    In case of a point, habitual acute sadness, extreme anxiety or obsessive rituals can be considered as abnormal when they interfere with the personal relations, performance or health. Contemporary views emphasize the fact that abnormal behavior is not cut and dry as normal or abnormal but exists on a continuum. Empirical studies focus on the importance of biological, psychological and social factors and how genetics, brain functioning, trauma and environment combine to influence behavior. Awareness of abnormal behavior is vital in clinical psychology as it contributes to their diagnosis, treatment, and assistance, as well as leads to compassion and minimizes stigma among the people with mental health problems.

  • 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 learn to cope in a healthier way.

    Present-day counseling is based on evidence-based practice, incorporating methods to tackle both the short-term and long-term personal development. Recent research points out that in person and digital-based counseling can be useful to reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as well as enhance resilience and well-being. The work of counselors is widely dispersed as they work in various locations including schools, healthcare, workplaces, and private practice. Empathy, collaboration and respect of the individuality of the client are central to the counseling process. This working relationship helps individuals make significant change and makes them more capable of overcoming life challenges.

  • 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 have scores within a reasonable range of that figure. While IQ testing can reveal learning strengths and weaknesses, it is not the whole story when it comes to understanding human intelligence. Skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, and practical problem-solving may not be reflected in an IQ score. Psychologists consider that IQ is affected by both genetic factors and environmental factors, such as education and upbringing. Today, IQ is utilized in research, education, and clinical settings, but is best understood as part of a much larger picture of intelligence.

  • 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 balanced relationship in which individuals rely on each other for support, but without sacrificing their own sense of self.

    This notion is particularly relevant in fields such as social and developmental psychology for it helps to clarify how families, friendships and romantic relationships influence identity and behavior. Furthermore, group behavior also demonstrates interdependence, as cooperation and shared objectives can lead to increased intimacy. Studies have found that healthy interdependent relationships can lead to resilience, better mental health and even physical health. It reminds us that while independence is important, meaningful relationships and shared responsibility have a powerful role to play in human life.