my name is Mégane Archambault and I've been in the Social Science's program for almost 2 years now. This glossary contains 20 terms that people can learn in psychology and found the majority of the definitions with Wikipedia and some through articles. I hope you will gain a better understanding of your psychological and human behaviors.
Behavioral psychological theory
Phrase
Behavioral psychological theory, or behaviorism, is a 20th-century framework focusing on observable, measurable behaviors shaped by environmental stimuli rather than internal mental states. It posits that all behaviors are learned through conditioning, primarily through classical conditioning (associations) or operant conditioning (rewards and punishments).
fr: la théorie psychologique comportementale
Biological psychological theory
Phrase
Biological psychological theory (or biopsychology) studies how physiological mechanisms—genes, neurotransmitters, hormones, and brain structures—shape human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. It posits that mental processes have physical, evolutionary foundations, treating psychology as a natural science to explain topics like mental health, cognition, and personality.
fr: La théorie psychologique biologique
Cognitive distortions
Noun
Cognitive distortions are irrational, exaggerated, or biased thought patterns that cause individuals to perceive reality inaccurately, often leading to increased anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. These habitual, negative "filters" in the brain distort how people interpret situations, themselves, and others.
fr: Distortions cognitives
Cognitivism
Noun
A psychological and learning theory that views the mind as an information processor, similar to a computer, focusing on how people receive, organize, store, and retrieve information.
fr: Le cognitivisme
Defense mechanisims
Noun
In psychoanalytic theory, defense mechanisms are unconscious psychological processes that protect the self from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and external stressors.
fr: Mécanismes de défense
Development
Noun
Development is the process of growth, advancement, or creation, referring to positive, gradual changes in people, organizations, or systems.
fr: Développement
Emotions
Noun
A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.
Example: "She was attempting to control her emotions".
fr: Émotions
Feeling of competence
Noun
The quality or state of having sufficient knowledge, judgment, skill, or strength.
fr: Sentiment de compétence
Humanism
Noun
The humanistic approach emphasizes the individual's personal worth, the centrality of human values, and the creative, active nature of human beings.
fr: Humanisme
Identity
Noun
Psychological theories of identity explore how individual identities are shaped by a combination of personal experiences, cultural influences, and psychological factors.
fr: Identité
Interpersonal relationships
Noun
In social psychology, an interpersonal relation (or interpersonal relationship) describes a social association, connection, or affiliation between two or more people. It overlaps significantly with the concept of social relations, which are the fundamental unit of analysis within the social sciences.
fr: Relations interpersonnelles
Motivation
Noun
The internal and external process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors, acting as the driving force behind human actions. It involves biological, emotional, social, and cognitive forces that compel individuals to act, ranging from basic needs like hunger to complex, long-term goals.
fr: Motivation
Perception
Noun
Our recognition and interpretation of sensory information. Perception also includes how we respond to the information. We can think of perception as a process.
fr: Perception
Personality
Noun
Personality is the unique, relatively stable combination of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that define an individual's way of interacting with the world.
fr: Personnalité
Psychodynamic psychological theory
Phrase
Psychodynamic theory is a psychological framework that emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships on behavior, personality, and emotions. It focuses on the dynamic interplay of unconscious drives and, often, the defense mechanisms used to manage anxiety, aiming to bring unconscious, repressed material into consciousness for therapeutic change.
fr: la théorie psychologique psychodynamique
Psychological disorders
Noun
A syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbances in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflect a dysfunction in psychological, biological, or developmental processes. These conditions, also known as mental illnesses, cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, such as work, school, or social life.
fr: Troubles psychologiques
Psychopathology
Noun
Psychopathology is the study of mental illness. It includes the signs and symptoms of all mental disorders. The field includes abnormal cognition, maladaptive behavior, and experiences which differ according to social norms.
fr: Psychopathologie
Psychotherapy
Noun
A collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and a licensed professional, designed to help people overcome mental health disorders, emotional struggles, and behavioral issues.
fr: Psychothérapie
Self-esteem
Noun
Self-esteem is the overall subjective evaluation of your own worth, value, and competence. It shapes how you feel about yourself, affecting confidence, relationships, and mental well-being. It is not static, but rather a dynamic, lifelong process influenced by life experiences, relationships, and personal beliefs.
fr: Estime de soi
Sense of belonging
Noun
The deep psychological need to feel accepted, included, and valued as an authentic member of a group, such as family, friends, or a community. It goes beyond mere familiarity, providing a feeling of security, emotional support, and shared identity that is crucial for mental health, self-worth, and resilience.