Psychology Terms A–Z

Locus of control is the belief about whether outcomes in life come from your own efforts (internal) or from luck and outside circumstances (external).

Actions meant to restrict another person's choices, relationships, or independence.

Slow, deliberate thinking that requires conscious attention and effort.

Pain management refers to psychological and medical approaches that help reduce pain and maintain daily functioning. Pain can be addressed not only through medication but also through the power of the mind.

This theory proposes that a 'gate' in the spinal cord opens or closes to regulate pain signals before they reach the brain. It explains how our mental and emotional state can directly influence how much pain we actually experience.

Pain Psychology is the study of how psychological factors influence the experience of pain. It shows us that our mental state can make pain feel more intense or less intense.

Pain catastrophizing is a psychological pattern where a person thinks about pain in an excessively negative and exaggerated way, causing the actual suffering to feel even greater than it is.

Insight is the sudden, deep understanding of the true nature of a problem or situation — like an 'aha!' moment where something that was once unclear becomes immediately and vividly clear.

Discharge planning is the process of preparing a safe and healthy transition back to daily life after completing inpatient or intensive treatment. It is a vital step that helps ensure your mental health recovery continues even after leaving the hospital.

Tourette Syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic lasting more than one year. While the tics are difficult to control by willpower alone, people with Tourette Syndrome can live full and fulfilling lives with proper management and support.

A defense mechanism in which a person attributes their own unacceptable feelings or traits to someone else. Rather than acknowledging an uncomfortable emotion in themselves, they perceive it as belonging to another person.

Projection bias is a cognitive bias where we mistakenly assume our current feelings, preferences, and desires will remain the same in the future. A classic example is going grocery shopping while hungry — you end up buying far more than you actually need.

A projective test explores unconscious psychological states by analyzing a person's responses to ambiguous stimuli. It reveals inner feelings and thoughts that may be difficult to express directly.

Projective identification is the process of pushing unbearable feelings from within yourself onto another person — and actually causing them to feel those emotions too.

The fight response is an instinctive survival reaction to perceived threats, where you prepare to confront and resist danger. It shows up as anger, aggression, and confrontational behavior — your body's natural defense mechanism to protect itself.

It's an instinctive survival reaction that appears when you sense danger. Your body either fights, runs away, or freezes.

A trauma anniversary reaction occurs when the date or season of a traumatic event returns, bringing back the emotions and symptoms from that time. It is a natural response because your body and mind remember that day.

Coping with trauma means finding ways to heal emotionally after a deeply distressing experience and gradually rebuilding a sense of normal life.

Trauma responses are the various psychological and physical reactions that appear after experiencing a traumatic event.

A trauma narrative is a therapeutic process of organizing fragmented trauma memories into a coherent story told in your own words. It helps the brain process painful experiences as events that belong to the past.

A trauma bond is a powerful and irrational emotional attachment that forms between an abuser and a victim in an abusive relationship. It develops when cycles of abuse and intermittent kindness cause the victim to feel intense emotional dependency on the abuser.

A psychological process in which intermittent rewards and punishments in an abusive relationship cause the victim to form a strong emotional bond with the abuser.

Trauma bonding is the phenomenon of feeling emotional attachment or sympathy toward an abuser or perpetrator.

Trauma-Informed Care is an approach that assumes anyone may have experienced trauma, and prioritizes creating safe, trustworthy environments to prevent re-traumatization. It is applied across many fields including healthcare, education, and social services.

Trauma processing is a healing journey where traumatic memories and emotions stored in the mind are safely worked through, gradually reducing their impact on everyday life.

A specialized cognitive behavioral therapy developed specifically for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It involves both the child and their caregiver working together to safely process traumatic memories and build healthy coping skills.

The process of recognizing stimuli that trigger trauma memories and learning healthy ways to cope with them.

A step-by-step model that systematically outlines the process of recovering from trauma.

Post-traumatic growth refers to the positive psychological changes that can emerge after going through a deeply difficult experience, where people discover new meaning in life and find themselves stronger than before. Even in the midst of pain, the seeds of growth can take root.

Rebuilding after trauma is the process of reconstructing your daily life and sense of self after it has been shattered by a traumatic experience. It's not about returning to who you were before — it's a journey of becoming someone new.

Resilience after trauma is the ability to psychologically recover and adapt even after experiencing a traumatic event. It is the inner strength that allows you to get back up after going through something deeply painful.

Dissociation in trauma refers to the experience of the mind separating from reality during a traumatic event. It is a natural defense mechanism the mind uses to protect itself from overwhelming pain.

Trauma and memory refers to the unique ways that traumatic experiences affect how memories are stored, retrieved, and processed. Extreme psychological shock changes the brain's normal memory systems in distinct and lasting ways.

Trolling is the act of deliberately posting provocative or offensive content online in order to provoke an emotional reaction from others. The person who engages in this behavior is called a 'troll.'

Trolling psychology studies the psychological causes and characteristics behind intentionally provoking or creating conflict with others online. It helps us understand the hidden mental patterns behind trolling behavior.

A trigger is a stimulus that brings up memories of past trauma and causes emotional or physical reactions.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that serves as the building block for serotonin and melatonin, playing a vital role in mood regulation and sleep quality.

Trait Theory is a personality psychology approach that views each person's enduring and stable personality traits as the key factors that shape their behavior.

An excessive and irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Tic Disorder refers to a condition where sudden, repetitive movements or sounds occur beyond a person's control. It is common in children and most cases improve naturally with age.

Team dynamics refers to the patterns of interaction and relationships among team members. It shapes how a team communicates, resolves conflict, and achieves goals together.

A thinking habit where the mind jumps to the worst possible outcome and treats it as if it is likely or already happening.

Partner selection refers to the psychological factors and unconscious patterns that influence how we choose romantic partners or spouses. It goes beyond conscious preferences like appearance or personality to include deep-rooted attachment experiences from childhood.

Phubbing is the act of ignoring someone you're with by focusing on your smartphone during conversation. It can create an invisible wall in your relationships.

The 'mask' we wear in social situations. It's the version of ourselves we present to fit different social roles.

Prejudice is a negative attitude or feeling toward a specific group or its members without sufficient justification.

The amygdala is an almond-shaped brain structure in the temporal lobe that serves as the brain's primary threat-detection system, triggering fear responses and strengthening emotional memories.

The tendency to like, believe, or choose something more just because many other people do.

A personality pattern of excessive suspicion and distrust toward others. Constant vigilance can make life feel exhausting and isolating.

Paranoia refers to a persistent state of unrealistic suspicion and fear that others are trying to harm you or are watching you. These beliefs go beyond ordinary caution and can seriously interfere with relationships and daily life.