DEFINTION OF KEY TERMS IN THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY

DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS IN THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY

Term Definition Origin
The term, which earlier had
(noun) in psychology, the
come to refer to the soul or
mind in its totality, as
the very essence of life,
Psyche distinguished from the
derives from the
physical organism.
character of Psyche in Greek
mythology.
(noun) (of a drug) A
substance capable of
producing a sensory
effect (visual, auditory,
olfactory, gustatory, or from the Greek, meaning
Psychedelic
tactile) in the absence of “mind-manifesting”
an actual stimulus. They
produce alterations in
perception, cognition,
and mood.
As a medical specialty,
psychiatry is based on the
(noun) the medical
premise that biological causes
specialty concerned with
are at the root of mental and
the study, diagnosis,
emotional problems, although
Psychiatry treatment, and
some psychiatrists do not
prevention of mental,
adhere exclusively to the
behavioral, and
biological model and
personality disorders.
additionally treat problems as
social and behavioral ills.
adj. denoting phenomena Ivan Pavlov referred to
conditioned responses as “psychic
associated with the
Psychic (1) reflexes” because the idea of the
mind. physical stimulus
evoked the reflexive response.
Term Definition Origin
adj. denoting a class of
The term is also applied to
phenomena, such as
any powers, forces, or
telepathy and
Psychic (2) faculties generally considered
clairvoyance, that appear
to be associated with such
to defy scientific
phenomena.
explanation.
A person with alleged
Psychic (3)
paranormal abilities
n. an approach to the
mind, personality,
psychological disorders,
and psychological
treatment. The main
assumption is that much
mental activity is
unconscious and
that understanding
people requires Originally developed by
interpreting the Sigmund Freud at the
Psychoanalysis
unconscious meaning beginning of the
underlying their overt, or 20th century.
manifest, behavior. The
focus is primarily on the
influence of unconscious
forces, as repressed
impulses, internal
conflicts, and childhood
traumas; on the mental
life and adjustment of
the individual.
Term Definition Origin
Adj. A person described
as having any one of a
variety of mental In psychoanalysis, neuroses
disorders characterized are generally viewed as
by significant anxiety or exaggerated, unconscious
other distressing methods of coping with
Psychoneurotic emotional symptoms, internal conflicts and the
such as persistent and anxiety they produce. Most
irrational fears, obsessive of the disorders that used to
thoughts, compulsive be called neuroses are now
acts, dissociative classified as anxiety disorders.
states, and somatic and
depressive reactions.
An abnormal mental
state involving significant
problems with REALITY
TESTING. It is characterized
by serious impairments
or disruptions in the most Historically, any severe
fundamental higher brain mental disorder that
functions—perception, significantly interferes with
Psychosis
cognition and cognitive functioning and ability to
processing, and emotions perform activities essential to
or affect—as manifested daily living.
in behavioral
phenomena, such as
delusions, hallucinations,
and significantly
disorganized speech.
Term Definition Origin
adj.
1. relating to the role of
the mind (psyche) in
diseases or disorders
affecting the body
(soma); specifically, the
role of psychological
factors (e.g., anxiety, Referring to any interaction
Psychosomatic
depression) in the set of between mind and body.
causes and course of
pathology in bodily
systems.
2. This could also
describe the approach
taken by a professional in
a course of treatment.
Any psychological service
provided by a trained
professional that
primarily uses forms of
There are many types of
communication and
psychotherapy, but generally
interaction to assess,
they fall into four major
diagnose, and treat
categories: psychodynamic
Psychotherapy dysfunctional emotional
psychotherapy, cognitive
reactions, ways of
therapy or behavior therapy,
thinking, and behavior
humanistic therapy, and
patterns. Psychotherapy
integrative psychotherapy.
may be provided to
individuals, couples,
families, or members of a
group.
BIBLIOGRAPHY ENTRY:
GARY R. VANDENBOS, P. (2015).
APA DICTIONARY OF PSYCHOLOGY, SECOND EDITION.
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION.