PSYCHOLOGY

15 Profile and individual (psychology) terms

This glossary is for the terms and definitions of the psychological field of study.

Anxiety

Noun

A feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, often without a specific reason.

Example: Her anxiety about the upcoming exam made it hard for her to sleep.

fr: Anxiété

Cognition

Noun

The mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

Example: Cognitive therapy focuses on changing thought patterns.

fr: Cognition

Compulsion

Noun

An irresistible urge to behave in a certain way, especially against one's conscious wishes.

Example: She felt a compulsion to check the door was locked multiple times before leaving the house.

fr: Compulsion

Delusion

Noun

A false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact.

Example: His delusion that he was a famous actor persisted even though he had never acted in a film.

fr: Délire

Depression

Noun

A mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest or pleasure in activities.

Example: He sought help for his depression from a therapist.

fr: Dépression

Empathy

Noun

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

Example: Her empathy for others made her a great counselor.

fr: Empathie

Mood

Noun

A temporary state of mind or feeling.

Example: His mood improved after he received good news.

fr: Humeur

Motivation

Noun

The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

Example: Her motivation to succeed in her career drove her to work hard.

fr: Motivation

Obsession

Noun

The state of being preoccupied with a thought, idea, or feeling to an excessive and often unreasonable degree.

Example: His obsession with cleanliness led him to clean his apartment multiple times a day.

fr: Obsession

Perception

Noun

The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted.

Example: His perception of the situation was different from mine.

fr: Perception

Personality

Noun

The combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual's distinctive character.

Example: Her outgoing personality made her popular with everyone

fr: Personnalité

Phobia

Noun

An extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.

Example: Her arachnophobia meant she couldn't even look at a picture of a spider.

fr: Phobie

Self-esteem

Noun

Confidence and satisfaction in oneself; self-respect.

Example: Building self-esteem is important for a healthy sense of self.

fr: Estime de soi

Stress

Noun

A state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding situations.

Example: The constant stress at work was taking a toll on his health.

fr: Stress

Trauma

Noun

A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that may have long-lasting effects on mental and emotional well-being.

Example: The car accident left him with emotional trauma.

fr: Traumatisme