Psychology Terms A–Z

Illusory correlation is the mistaken belief that two unrelated things are connected. It's our mind's natural tendency to misread coincidences as cause-and-effect relationships.

Exploitation is the act of unfairly taking advantage of another person's weaknesses, goodwill, or vulnerable situation for one's own benefit.

Creativity is the ability to come up with fresh, original ideas and bring them to life.

Using art, writing, music, movement, or other creative activities to express your inner feelings and thoughts.

When someone avoids owning their behavior by putting the fault on someone else.

Accountability is the habit of owning your actions and choices, and being willing to accept their consequences. It is an important foundation for trust and personal growth.

A theory that states the deeper and more meaningfully you think about information, the stronger and longer-lasting your memory of it will be. The more deeply you process something, the better you remember it.

Punishment is when a bad consequence follows a behavior, making that behavior less likely to happen again.

First responder trauma refers to the psychological wounds experienced by firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and others who are first to arrive at disaster or accident scenes. While saving others, these individuals can suffer deep harm to their own mental health.

The first session refers to the very first meeting between a counselor and a client. It is a precious first step where you get to know each other, set the direction of counseling together, and begin building a safe relationship.

A condition where specific sounds trigger intense negative emotional reactions. Everyday sounds like someone chewing or breathing can provoke unbearable anger or anxiety.

The process during adolescence of answering the question "Who am I?" through exploring roles, values, and beliefs to form a coherent sense of self.

The transitional developmental stage between childhood and adulthood (roughly ages 12-18), marked by physical maturation, identity exploration, and increasing psychological independence.

A memory strategy that groups small pieces of information into meaningful chunks.

A method of gradually reducing fear by imagining fearful stimuli while in a relaxed state, step by step.

Weight stigma refers to the experience of prejudice or discrimination based on a person's weight or body shape. It can have serious effects on mental health, and every person deserves to be respected just as they are.

Experiential therapy is a treatment approach that goes beyond talk alone, using activities like role-play, movement, and creative exercises to help you directly feel, express, and heal emotions.

Embodied Cognition is the theory that our thoughts and emotions are not created by the brain alone, but are fundamentally shaped by the experiences and sensations of the entire body. It views the body as an integral part of the mind.

Before starting counseling or therapy, an intake assessment is the first evaluation process conducted to understand a client's current condition and needs.

The primacy effect is the phenomenon where information encountered first is remembered more strongly than information that comes later.

Transculturalism is a perspective in which individuals move fluidly across multiple cultures rather than being bound to one, forming new cultural identities in the process. It emphasizes crossing cultural boundaries to understand and connect with one another.

A mindset of meeting things with openness, curiosity, and less assumption.

A profound psychological and spiritual experience that goes beyond the boundaries of the everyday self and ordinary reality. It is similar to what Maslow described as the 'peak experience.'

The focusing effect is a cognitive bias where we place too much importance on one particular aspect of something while ignoring other equally important factors. It's a mental trap that leads us to judge the whole picture based on just one part.

Agitation is a state in which inner anxiety or tension manifests as physical restlessness — an inability to stay still, accompanied by irritability and heightened motor activity.

Hypnotherapy is a treatment that uses a hypnotic state to access the unconscious mind and create meaningful change.

The recency effect is the phenomenon where information encountered most recently is remembered better.

Optimal experience is a special state where you become completely absorbed in an activity, lose track of time, and feel a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.

A relationship pattern where one person tries to get closer while the other pulls away. It commonly appears in couples and close relationships.

When physiological needs like hunger or thirst go unmet, an internal tension (drive) builds up, and the motivation to relieve that tension guides behavior.

The long part of a neuron that carries signals to other cells.

It's a thinking pattern where good things get shrunk down and bad things get blown way out of proportion.

Emotional trauma that can remain after a frightening or overwhelming birth experience.

Source monitoring is the mental process of identifying where our memories came from — whether we experienced something directly, heard it from someone, or simply imagined it. It is the ability to distinguish the origin of different memories.

Impulsivity is the tendency to act in the moment without thinking about the consequences.

The social and psychological dynamics that happen when people are publicly called out, shamed, or pushed out online after harmful behavior or statements.

The wave of regret, embarrassment, or shame that follows opening up honestly to someone — the emotional equivalent of a hangover after a moment of courageous self-disclosure.

A type of narcissism where a person appears outwardly insecure and sensitive, yet internally harbors a strong sense of entitlement and an intense need for recognition.

The stress of job searching often stems from anxiety about an uncertain future. Maintaining your own pace through the process is essential.

A region of the brain located near the ears that plays a crucial role in auditory processing, language comprehension, and memory formation.

A treatment plan is a detailed document in psychotherapy that outlines the client's goals, methods, and timeline for addressing their concerns. It serves as a recovery roadmap created collaboratively by the therapist and client.

Activities suggested by a counselor so you can practice what you learned in sessions directly in your everyday life.

Therapy goals are the specific outcomes a person wants to achieve through counseling or psychotherapy. They are set collaboratively by the therapist and client, and serve as a roadmap for guiding treatment and measuring progress.

Treatment resistance refers to a condition where symptoms don't improve sufficiently despite standard treatment methods. It's not a sign that treatment can never work — it's a signal that a different approach may be needed.

The extent to which a patient consistently follows an agreed-upon treatment plan, including medication, lifestyle changes, and appointments. A key factor in treatment effectiveness.

Starting therapy is the process of beginning professional psychological counseling or treatment for the first time — a courageous first step toward caring for your mental well-being. Mindy will walk alongside you on that journey.

The maintenance phase is the ongoing period of care after treatment has improved your symptoms, focused on sustaining those gains and preventing relapse.

Termination in therapy is the process of formally concluding counseling or psychotherapy. It's an important stage where you review the progress made during treatment and prepare to move forward on your own.

Post-Therapy Maintenance is the ongoing process of preserving recovery and preventing relapse even after formal therapy has ended. The key is consistently applying what you learned in therapy to your everyday life.

This refers to situations where you're receiving counseling or therapy but don't feel any change, or even feel worse. Mindy is here to help you think through what to do when this happens.