Psychology Terms A–Z

Stepped Care is a systematic approach that provides the most appropriate level of treatment based on the severity of mental health concerns. It's an efficient care model that starts with lighter interventions and increases intensity as needed.

Short-term memory is a memory system that temporarily stores information for about 15–30 seconds. It can hold roughly 7 (plus or minus 2) items at a time, and the information fades quickly without rehearsal.

A short-term therapy approach that focuses on clear goals and practical change.

Sometimes you can't remember something not because it's gone, but because you're missing the right mental trigger to bring it back.

Rupture and repair refers to the natural process where a conflict or misunderstanding creates a disconnection in a relationship, followed by the restoration of that connection. It is a core process that ultimately makes relationships stronger.

Assertive communication is a style of expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and directly while respecting the rights and boundaries of others.

The complete cessation of alcohol use. In cases of severe alcohol use disorder, abstinence is often considered the safest treatment goal.

In therapy, the process of receiving and helping a person make sense of feelings that seem too overwhelming to hold alone.

Stonewalling is when someone completely shuts down communication during a conflict, refusing to respond as if they've built an invisible wall between themselves and the other person.

Diabulimia is a dangerous eating behavior in which people with type 1 diabetes intentionally reduce or skip insulin doses to lose weight. It poses serious risks to both physical and mental health.

Diabetes can have a major impact not only on blood sugar management but also on mental well-being. Since people with diabetes experience depression and anxiety at higher rates, caring for both body and mind together is essential.

Should Statements are a thinking pattern where you push yourself with rigid rules like 'I must do this' or 'I should never do that.' These strict internal demands often lead to guilt, frustration, and emotional exhaustion.

The outer layer of the brain that supports thinking, language, conscious awareness, and processing what we see, hear, and feel.

Daniel Goleman is a psychologist and science journalist who popularized the concept of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). He showed that EQ — not IQ — plays a greater role in life success and happiness.

A pioneer of behavioral economics and cognitive psychologist who revealed systematic biases in human judgment and decision-making. He was the first psychologist to receive the Nobel Prize in Economics.

Vicarious trauma is a deep inner transformation — changes to one's worldview, beliefs, and sense of self — that results from cumulative exposure to others' traumatic experiences.

Vicarious traumatization is a phenomenon where repeatedly hearing or witnessing others' traumatic experiences gradually causes psychological impact in the listener or observer. It is especially common among caregiving professions such as counselors, healthcare workers, and social workers.

A shift in how we judge something because we compare it with what we experienced just before.

Object permanence is the ability to understand that people and things continue to exist even when you can't see them. It's knowing that something doesn't just disappear when it's out of sight.

Object Relations Theory proposes that early relationship experiences create internal 'relationship patterns' that shape how we connect with others throughout our entire lives.

Interpersonal trauma is trauma that is intentionally inflicted by another person.

A pattern where relationships change dramatically, swinging between intense closeness and conflict.

Interpersonal Neurobiology is the perspective that human relationships influence the development and structure of the brain, and that the brain and mind can heal together through connection.

Managing the nerves and anxiety that come with speaking in front of others so you can express yourself with confidence.

Structured practice in skills for responding to stress, strong emotions, and difficult situations.

A way of dealing with stress, pain, or difficult emotions.

The belief that you can handle a difficult situation using the resources and skills available to you.

A mental shortcut where we judge something based on how closely it resembles the typical example of a category. It leads us to rely on intuitive similarity rather than statistical probability.

People with limited ability tend to overestimate themselves, while people with high ability tend to underestimate themselves.

Dating fatigue is a state of emotional exhaustion and helplessness toward romance itself, caused by repeated cycles of meeting new people, experiencing breakups, and using dating apps.

Donald Winnicott was a British pediatrician and psychoanalyst who developed object relations theory. Through concepts such as the 'good enough mother,' transitional objects, and the true self versus false self, he deepened our understanding of children's emotional development.

Moral development is the process by which our ability to judge right from wrong grows over time. Kohlberg's stage theory is one of the most well-known frameworks for understanding this process.

Moral distress is the deep psychological suffering that occurs when you know the right thing to do but are unable to do it due to external constraints. It arises from the conflict between your personal values and your actual actions.

A moral dilemma is a conflict situation where two or more moral values clash, making it impossible to say any choice is completely right. No matter what you choose, some moral cost remains.

Moral injury is a deep psychological wound that occurs when someone acts against, witnesses violations of, or fails to prevent breaches of their core moral values. It leaves lasting feelings of guilt, shame, and anger that weigh heavily on the soul.

Moral courage is the inner strength to act on what you believe is right, even when facing criticism, social pressure, or personal disadvantage.

A psychological process where people justify their own unethical behavior to themselves, allowing them to engage in harmful actions without feeling guilt.

Gambling Disorder is a condition where a person cannot control their gambling, leading to serious financial, social, and psychological problems.

The Gambler's Fallacy is a cognitive error where a person mistakenly believes that previous outcomes of independent events will influence future results. A classic example is thinking that because a coin has landed heads several times in a row, tails is 'due' to come up next.

Kleptomania is an impulse control disorder where a person cannot resist the urge to steal items they don't actually need. It's not about wanting the object itself, but about the tension felt just before stealing and the relief felt afterward that drives the repeated behavior.

An integrative therapy that identifies and heals maladaptive patterns (schemas) formed in childhood.

Getting help means reaching out to a professional or someone you trust when you're struggling emotionally or psychologically. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness — it's a courageous act of caring for yourself.

Help-seeking behavior refers to actively reaching out for appropriate support when facing difficulties, rather than struggling alone. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness — it's a courageous choice.

A brain neurotransmitter associated with reward, motivation, and pleasure.

Neural pathways in the brain that transmit dopamine, playing a crucial role in pleasure, motivation, and learning.

A toxic family refers to a family environment where harmful relationship patterns such as emotional abuse, control, and manipulation are repeatedly experienced among family members.

Protecting yourself and setting healthy boundaries in relationships with people who consistently drain or harm your emotional well-being.

The insistence on maintaining a positive attitude in all situations, often dismissing or invalidating genuine negative emotions in yourself or others.

Toxic stress is intense, prolonged stress exposure without a protective adult present, causing serious harm to the developing brain and body.

It's about protecting your mental health and holding on in an emotionally harmful work environment. Mindy will help you find ways to guard your heart.