phobia- an anxiety disorder marked by a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.
I read a book featuring vampires in which vampires weren’t repelled by garlic by a magic curse, but because of their advanced sense of smell. Imagine garlic breath X100.
DSM-IV-TR- American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used system for classifying psychological disorders.
The DSM-V-TR was released soon after my textbook, so the definition is a bit out of date.
Rorschach inkblot test- most common projective test; a set of inkblots is provided and the person’s interpretation of the blots are analyzed to identify their inner feelings.
psychodynamic theory- Freud- influenced perspective that sees behavior, thinking, and emotions as reflecting unconscious motives.
defense mechanisms- in psychoanalysis, the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.
superego- part of personality that, according to Freud, represents internalized ideals and provides standards for judgement.
psychoanalysis- Freud’s theory of personality that attributes thoughts and actions to unconscious motives and conflicts; the techniques used in treating psychological disorders by seeking to expose and interpret unconscious tensions.
I disliked analyzing literature based on psychoanalysis. Not only did I have do nitpick over a story’s details instead of enjoying it, I had to interpret those details based on a theory of psychology with little scientific merit.
self concept– all of our thoughts and feelings about ourselves, an answer to the question “Who am I?”
You’ll only get this if you’ve seen Les Miserables. If you haven’t, go watch it.
self actualization- according to Maslow, a psychological need that arises after basic needs and self esteem is met; the motivation to achieve our full potential.
free associations- in psychoanalysis, a method of exploring the subconscious in which the person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind.
