Psychology

Ablutophobia: fear of bathing and washing Ablutophobia Ablutophobia is an intense, persistent fear of bathing, washing, or cleaning. This article explains symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment options, and how it differs from ordinary…

Abnormal Psychology: Study of Unusual Behavior and Mental Disorders Abnormal psychology Comprehensive overview of abnormal psychology: definitions, criteria, history, assessment, treatments, cultural variation, and practical importance for clinicians and researchers.

Adaptive unconscious The adaptive unconscious comprises fast, automatic mental processes that shape perception, judgment and action. It operates beneath conscious awareness and evolved to support rapid…

Addiction: causes, brain mechanisms, treatment, and prevention Addiction Addiction is a chronic brain disorder marked by compulsive use of substances or behaviors despite harm. This article explains types, neurobiology, diagnosis, treatment options, pre…

Addictive personality: traits, causes, controversies and treatment Addictive personality Overview of the concept of an 'addictive personality', associated traits, development factors, common behavioral addictions, treatment approaches, and why the term is debated.

Adjustment disorder A short-term stress-related condition marked by emotional or behavioural symptoms in response to an identifiable life change or event, often improving when the person adapts or the…

Agender Agender describes people who do not experience a sense of gender identity. This article explains meaning, variations, history, expression, pronouns, and how agender relates to othe…

Aggression: forms, causes, and functions in humans and animals Aggression A balanced overview of aggression: definitions, types (hostile vs. instrumental), biological and social causes, evolutionary functions, examples, and distinctions between inter- an…

Alexander Cools — Dutch neuroscientist and pioneer in behavioral pharmacology Alexander Cools Overview of Alexander R. "Lex" Cools (1941–2013), his career at Radboud, contributions to dopamine receptor theory and basal ganglia research, and his role in European behavioural…

Alter ego An alter ego is an alternative self or persona adopted by a person. The term appears across psychology, literature, performance and law to describe distinct identities, roles, or p…

Altered States of Consciousness — Causes, Types, and Clinical Importance Altered state of consciousness Overview of altered states of consciousness: causes and common types from meditation to drugs, neurophysiology, social and clinical implications, and how to distinguish transient e…

Amnesia: causes, types, diagnosis and management Amnesia Amnesia is a clinically significant disturbance of memory caused by brain injury, disease, or psychological factors. This article outlines types, causes, assessment, treatment appr…

Anal-retentive (informal term for extreme neatness or orderliness) Anal retentive Informal adjective describing excessive attention to detail or rigidity, derived from Freudian theory; used colloquially and sometimes pejoratively to describe perfectionism or fus…

Anal stage (Freud's psychosexual development) Anal stage The anal stage is Freud’s second psychosexual phase, typically around 18 months–3 years, focused on toilet training, control of bowel and bladder, and possible personality effects…

Analytical psychology (Jungian psychology) Analytical psychology A concise overview of analytical psychology: its founder, core concepts, clinical methods, symbolic research, history, and applications in therapy and culture.

Androphilia and gynephilia: attraction-focused terms for sexual orientation Androphilia and gynephilia Androphilia and gynephilia name attraction to men/masculinity or women/femininity. Used in research and clinical settings to describe focus of attraction without assuming a person’…

Anger: nature, causes, effects, and management Anger An overview of anger as a basic emotion: what triggers it, how it is expressed and regulated, its evolutionary role, social effects, and practical approaches to managing it.

Anger management: approaches, techniques, history and uses Anger management Anger management is a set of therapeutic approaches and practical techniques designed to help people recognize, understand, and control angry thoughts and behaviors.

Anorexia nervosa: overview, symptoms, causes, treatment and complications Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder marked by self-starvation, intense fear of weight gain and distorted body image. This article explains features, causes, risks, medica…

Anterograde amnesia: causes, features, diagnosis and management Anterograde amnesia Anterograde amnesia is an impairment in forming new long-term memories after an event. This article explains its features, common causes, related brain structures, diagnosis, and a…

Anti-psychiatry: history, main ideas, and influence Anti-psychiatry Overview of the anti-psychiatry movement: origins, central criticisms of psychiatric practice, key figures and texts, historical development, and the movement's influence on reform…

Antisocial personality disorder A personality disorder marked by persistent disregard for others' rights and social norms, beginning in youth and often linked to impulsivity, aggression, and legal problems.

Anxiety: Understanding Causes, Symptoms, and Management Anxiety A clear, balanced overview of anxiety: what it is, common symptoms, causes, history, and approaches to treatment and self-care, with distinctions between normal worry and anxiety d…

Anxiety disorder: overview, symptoms, causes, and treatment Anxiety disorder A comprehensive, neutral summary of anxiety disorders: types, common symptoms, potential causes, diagnostic approaches, treatments, and historical context.

Apathy: Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Clinical Context Apathy Apathy is a marked reduction in motivation, interest or emotional responsiveness. This article describes its features, common causes, clinical significance, and how it differs from…

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Applied behavior analysis Applied Behavior Analysis is a scientific approach to understanding and changing behavior using principles such as reinforcement and functional assessment, applied across clinical,…

Arachnophobia — fear of spiders, symptoms, causes, and treatment Arachnophobia Arachnophobia is an intense, specific fear of spiders. This article explains symptoms, possible causes, treatments including exposure therapy, and cultural or practical implication…

Archetype (psychology, literature, and culture) Archetype An archetype is a recurring symbolic pattern or model of person, role, or behavior used in psychology, storytelling, myth studies, and cultural analysis; often associated with Jung…

Asexuality: orientation, spectrum, and relationships Asexuality Asexuality is a sexual orientation defined by little or no sexual attraction to others. This article explains its characteristics, variations, history, relationship dynamics, and c…

Asperger syndrome — overview, characteristics, history and support Asperger syndrome A neurodevelopmental condition on the autism spectrum marked by social communication differences, restricted interests, and sensory or motor traits. Covers features, history, diagn…

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): overview, symptoms, causes, and management Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. This article summarizes symptoms, diagnosis, causes, prevalence, treatment optio…

Atypical depression: features, causes, and treatment overview Atypical depression Atypical depression is a depressive subtype marked by mood reactivity, increased sleep and appetite, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity; it has distinct treatment and cour…

Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Autism Overview of autism spectrum disorder: defining features, early signs, causes, prevalence, diagnostic categories, interventions, and the neurodiversity perspective.

Autism rights movement and the neurodiversity perspective Autism rights movement A concise overview of the autism rights movement: beliefs, goals, history, controversies, and how it relates to the broader neurodiversity movement and disability rights.

Autism spectrum (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Autism spectrum A concise overview of the autism spectrum: core features, diagnostic history, common supports, distinctions such as Asperger and Rett, and social and clinical perspectives.

Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) — screening questionnaire for autistic traits Autism Spectrum Quotient The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is a 50‑item self‑report questionnaire developed in 2001 to measure autistic traits in adolescents and adults. It is a screening tool, not a stand…

Autofellatio: definition, physiology, cultural history and considerations Autofellatio Autofellatio is the act of orally stimulating one's own penis. This article explains physical requirements, cultural history, animal observations, health considerations and social…

Automatic behaviour Automatic behaviour: actions that run with little or no conscious awareness, including reflexes, learned habits and autonomic responses. Covers mechanisms, examples, development, a…

Avoidant personality disorder: overview, features, causes, and management Avoidant personality disorder Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is a long‑term pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extreme sensitivity to criticism that affects relationships and functi…

Awake (wakefulness): state, biology, rhythms and behaviour Awake Wakefulness is the brain state of consciousness and responsiveness to the environment. This article explains its features, biology, daily rhythms, animal patterns, common transitio…

BDSM: Overview, Practices, Consent, History, and Safety BDSM BDSM is an umbrella term for consensual practices involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism and masochism. This article explains its elements, history, safety, a…

Behaviorism: principles, history, and applications Behaviorism Behaviorism is a psychological approach that studies observable behavior and learning through conditioning. It stresses measurement, experimental methods, and practical application…

Behaviour: biological, psychological and social perspectives Behaviour Overview of behaviour covering definitions, biological mechanisms, learning and development, experimental study, social norms, and key distinctions between conscious and unconsciou…

Behaviour therapy: principles, history, methods and applications Behaviour therapy Behaviour therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses learning principles to change maladaptive actions. This article explains its concepts, history, common techniques, uses, stre…

Bias: causes, types, effects, and how to detect or reduce it Bias A concise guide to bias: cognitive, statistical, media and measurement forms; their origins, examples, impacts, and practical steps for identification and mitigation in research, j…

Bibliomania: excessive book collecting and its cultural and clinical aspects Bibliomania Bibliomania is an excessive, sometimes compulsive urge to acquire books. This article explains its features, history, risks, cultural examples, and how it differs from a healthy lo…

Blushing (physiology, causes, and social effects) Blushing Blushing is the involuntary reddening of the face and neck caused by emotions such as embarrassment or attraction. It is driven by sympathetic nerve activity and has physiological,…

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Overview, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Body dysmorphic disorder Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition marked by persistent preoccupation with perceived appearance flaws. This article outlines signs, causes, diagnosis, trea…