- Published on
Psychological Terms -Anaclitic Object-Choice
In psychoanalytic theory, an anaclitic object-choice refers to seeking partners who resemble the early caregivers—usually parental figures—because they feel protective, nurturing, or capable of meeting one’s basic emotional needs. Freud argued that in infancy, the sexual (libidinal) instinct first grows out of the drive for self-preservation; infants depend on caregivers for food, warmth, and safety, and this bond creates a template for later love relationships.
Those who follow this pattern tend to be drawn toward figures associated with caregiving roles or who evoke emotional security. Freud contrasted this with narcissistic object-choice, in which individuals choose partners resembling aspects of themselves rather than parental figures. The concept was introduced in Freud’s 1914 essay On Narcissism.
In psychoanalytic theory, an anaclitic object-choice refers to seeking partners who resemble the early caregivers—usually parental figures—because they feel protective, nurturing, or capable of meeting one’s basic emotional needs. Freud argued that in infancy, the sexual (libidinal) instinct first grows out of the drive for self-preservation; infants depend on caregivers for food, warmth, and safety, and this bond creates a template for later love relationships.
Those who follow this pattern tend to be drawn toward figures associated with caregiving roles or who evoke emotional security. Freud contrasted this with narcissistic object-choice, in which individuals choose partners resembling aspects of themselves rather than parental figures. The concept was introduced in Freud’s 1914 essay On Narcissism.
- Published on
Psychological Terms-Anacoluthon
An anacoluthon is a sentence that begins following a particular grammatical construction, then unexpectedly breaks off or changes direction so that the elements no longer fit together logically or syntactically. For example, a speaker may start a sentence one way but end it with a clause that does not properly follow from the opening structure. This may happen unintentionally in speech—especially in emotional or rambling discourse—or deliberately in writing for stylistic emphasis.
In rhetoric, anacolutha can reflect authentic thought patterns, interruptions, or shifts in attention. Although often considered an error in formal writing, it can effectively convey spontaneity or psychological tension. Related adjective: anacoluthic.
An anacoluthon is a sentence that begins following a particular grammatical construction, then unexpectedly breaks off or changes direction so that the elements no longer fit together logically or syntactically. For example, a speaker may start a sentence one way but end it with a clause that does not properly follow from the opening structure. This may happen unintentionally in speech—especially in emotional or rambling discourse—or deliberately in writing for stylistic emphasis.
In rhetoric, anacolutha can reflect authentic thought patterns, interruptions, or shifts in attention. Although often considered an error in formal writing, it can effectively convey spontaneity or psychological tension. Related adjective: anacoluthic.
- Published on
Psychology Terms-Anacusia
Psychological Term — Expanded Paraphrase
Anacusia is the complete loss of hearing—total deafness—resulting from damage to the structures or neural pathways necessary for sound perception. It may originate from congenital conditions, illness, trauma, prolonged noise exposure, infection, or ototoxic medications.
Although total, bilateral anacusia is rare, the diagnosis has important developmental consequences in infancy and childhood, where early lack of auditory input can affect language, communication, and social development. Individuals with anacusia may rely on sign language, lip-reading, or assistive technologies. Alternate spellings include anacousia, anacusis, and anacousis, and anacusic describes someone affected.
Psychological Term — Expanded Paraphrase
Anacusia is the complete loss of hearing—total deafness—resulting from damage to the structures or neural pathways necessary for sound perception. It may originate from congenital conditions, illness, trauma, prolonged noise exposure, infection, or ototoxic medications.
Although total, bilateral anacusia is rare, the diagnosis has important developmental consequences in infancy and childhood, where early lack of auditory input can affect language, communication, and social development. Individuals with anacusia may rely on sign language, lip-reading, or assistive technologies. Alternate spellings include anacousia, anacusis, and anacousis, and anacusic describes someone affected.
- Published on
Psychological Terms-Anaerobic
The term anaerobic refers to metabolic processes that generate energy in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic mechanisms are most active during short bursts of high-intensity physical activity, when muscular demand for energy temporarily exceeds the body’s ability to provide oxygen.
For example, glycolysis—a key anaerobic pathway—breaks down glucose rapidly to supply energy, producing lactic acid as a by-product. Muscles characterized as fast-glycolytic fibers are particularly adapted to anaerobic activity. In psychology and physiology, the distinction between aerobic and anaerobic processes is relevant to studies of exercise, fatigue, and performance.
The term anaerobic refers to metabolic processes that generate energy in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic mechanisms are most active during short bursts of high-intensity physical activity, when muscular demand for energy temporarily exceeds the body’s ability to provide oxygen.
For example, glycolysis—a key anaerobic pathway—breaks down glucose rapidly to supply energy, producing lactic acid as a by-product. Muscles characterized as fast-glycolytic fibers are particularly adapted to anaerobic activity. In psychology and physiology, the distinction between aerobic and anaerobic processes is relevant to studies of exercise, fatigue, and performance.
- Published on
Psychological Terms- Anesthesia
Anaesthesia refers to a condition in which sensations—including touch and pain—are reduced or eliminated. It can occur naturally due to neurological disorder or be medically induced using drugs or hypnosis.
General anaesthesia affects the entire body and involves unconsciousness, while local anaesthesia blocks sensation only in a specific region. In medical and psychological contexts, forms of anaesthesia may be associated with sensory conversion symptoms or dissociation. Numerous specialized terms exist, such as glove anaesthesia or stocking anaesthesia, referring to sensory loss patterns that correspond more to psychological boundaries than anatomical structures.
The term, coined in 1846 by Oliver Wendell Holmes, derives from Greek roots meaning “without sensation.” Anaesthesia is commonly contrasted with analgesia, which refers more specifically to loss of pain perception.
Anaesthesia refers to a condition in which sensations—including touch and pain—are reduced or eliminated. It can occur naturally due to neurological disorder or be medically induced using drugs or hypnosis.
General anaesthesia affects the entire body and involves unconsciousness, while local anaesthesia blocks sensation only in a specific region. In medical and psychological contexts, forms of anaesthesia may be associated with sensory conversion symptoms or dissociation. Numerous specialized terms exist, such as glove anaesthesia or stocking anaesthesia, referring to sensory loss patterns that correspond more to psychological boundaries than anatomical structures.
The term, coined in 1846 by Oliver Wendell Holmes, derives from Greek roots meaning “without sensation.” Anaesthesia is commonly contrasted with analgesia, which refers more specifically to loss of pain perception.
- Published on
Psychological Terms — Anaesthetic
An anaesthetic is any drug or agent that produces anaesthesia—meaning it reduces or eliminates sensation. Anaesthetics are used to prevent pain and awareness during medical procedures. They may induce complete unconsciousness (general anaesthetic) or numbness in a specific part of the body (local anaesthetic).
General anaesthetics affect the brain globally, preventing sensation and consciousness, while local anaesthetics block nerve transmission near the site of administration. The psychological relevance of anaesthetics includes their effects on consciousness, memory, and pain perception. Some individuals may respond differently based on tolerance, anxiety, or underlying psychological conditions.
The term also functions as an adjective describing anything that causes loss of feeling.
An anaesthetic is any drug or agent that produces anaesthesia—meaning it reduces or eliminates sensation. Anaesthetics are used to prevent pain and awareness during medical procedures. They may induce complete unconsciousness (general anaesthetic) or numbness in a specific part of the body (local anaesthetic).
General anaesthetics affect the brain globally, preventing sensation and consciousness, while local anaesthetics block nerve transmission near the site of administration. The psychological relevance of anaesthetics includes their effects on consciousness, memory, and pain perception. Some individuals may respond differently based on tolerance, anxiety, or underlying psychological conditions.
The term also functions as an adjective describing anything that causes loss of feeling.
- Published on
Psychological Term — Anafranil
Anafranil is a brand name for clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant. It is widely prescribed for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and certain anxiety-related conditions. Clomipramine works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their availability in the brain.
Although effective, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction. Due to its potency in treating OCD, it remains clinically significant despite newer medications with fewer side effects.
Anafranil is a brand name for clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant. It is widely prescribed for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and certain anxiety-related conditions. Clomipramine works by blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, increasing their availability in the brain.
Although effective, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction. Due to its potency in treating OCD, it remains clinically significant despite newer medications with fewer side effects.
- Published on
Psychological Terms- Anaglyph
An anaglyph is a type of stereoscopic image composed of two pictures of the same scene taken from slightly different angles and printed in contrasting colors (commonly red and cyan). When viewed with special glasses that filter each image to one eye, the brain fuses them to create a vivid 3-dimensional experience.
Anaglyphs are used in studies of depth perception, binocular vision, and visual illusions. Beyond psychological research, they appear in fine art, cameo-style carvings, and entertainment media. Their effectiveness illustrates how subtle differences between the two eyes’ views allow the brain to infer depth.
An anaglyph is a type of stereoscopic image composed of two pictures of the same scene taken from slightly different angles and printed in contrasting colors (commonly red and cyan). When viewed with special glasses that filter each image to one eye, the brain fuses them to create a vivid 3-dimensional experience.
Anaglyphs are used in studies of depth perception, binocular vision, and visual illusions. Beyond psychological research, they appear in fine art, cameo-style carvings, and entertainment media. Their effectiveness illustrates how subtle differences between the two eyes’ views allow the brain to infer depth.
- Published on
Psychological Terms – Amnestic Disorder
An amnestic disorder is a clinically recognized mental disorder marked by serious difficulty learning new information and, often, recalling previously learned facts or experiences. This impairment disrupts normal social and occupational functioning.
The condition is not due exclusively to delirium or dementia and may be associated with head trauma, medical illness, drug effects, or toxin exposure. A well-known variant is substance-induced persisting amnestic disorder, commonly linked to prolonged alcohol abuse and resulting vitamin deficiency (especially thiamine).
Etymologically, the term stems from Greek roots meaning “not remembering.”
An amnestic disorder is a clinically recognized mental disorder marked by serious difficulty learning new information and, often, recalling previously learned facts or experiences. This impairment disrupts normal social and occupational functioning.
The condition is not due exclusively to delirium or dementia and may be associated with head trauma, medical illness, drug effects, or toxin exposure. A well-known variant is substance-induced persisting amnestic disorder, commonly linked to prolonged alcohol abuse and resulting vitamin deficiency (especially thiamine).
Etymologically, the term stems from Greek roots meaning “not remembering.”
- Published on
Psychological Terms – Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a physician removes a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus using a hollow needle. The fluid is then examined for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, including Down syndrome.
While primarily medical, its findings have important psychological implications for parental decision-making and counseling.
Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a physician removes a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus using a hollow needle. The fluid is then examined for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities, including Down syndrome.
While primarily medical, its findings have important psychological implications for parental decision-making and counseling.
