Psychology

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Overview, Components, and Uses Dialectical behavior therapy Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured cognitive‑behavioral approach that blends skills training and mindfulness to treat severe emotion dysregulation, originally devel…

Dianetics: origins, practices, and reception Dianetics Dianetics is a system of ideas and practices introduced in 1950 by L. Ron Hubbard. Presented as a mental health technology, it later formed the basis for Scientology and remains co…

Disability: definitions, types, accessibility, and social context Disability Overview of disability: definitions, common types (physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental), assistive technology, accessibility, models, rights, and social challenges.

Displacement (psychology): the unconscious redirection of emotion Displacement (psychology) Displacement is a Freudian defence mechanism in which feelings, impulses, or reactions are unconsciously shifted from a threatening target to a safer substitute.

Dissociative drugs: effects, mechanisms, common types, and uses Dissociative Comprehensive overview of dissociative drugs: effects, mechanisms, common substances, medical uses, risks, harm reduction, legal status and research directions.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) Dissociative identity disorder Dissociative identity disorder is a complex psychiatric condition marked by two or more distinct identity states, recurrent memory gaps and dissociation. Causes, diagnosis and trea…

Dopamine: roles, synthesis, clinical importance, and behavioral effects Dopamine Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter involved in movement, motivation, reward, learning and several medical disorders such as Parkinson's disease, ADHD and addiction.

DSM-IV — Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition DSM IV DSM-IV is the American Psychiatric Association’s 1994 diagnostic manual that organized mental disorders with standardized criteria, a multiaxial system, and coded listings used in…

Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder): Overview, Symptoms, Treatment Dysthymia Dysthymia is a long‑term, mild to moderate depressive condition. This article explains symptoms, diagnostic criteria, course, distinctions from major depression, and common treatme…

Dystonia: causes, types, diagnosis and treatment Dystonia Dystonia is a movement disorder marked by involuntary muscle contractions that produce twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. It varies by type, cause, severity and t…

Eccentricity (human behavior) Eccentricity Eccentricity refers to unconventional or unusual behavior, mannerisms, or habits that deviate from social norms; it may be harmless, admired, or mistaken for mental disorder depend…

Ecstasy (emotion) A heightened positive emotional state marked by intense joy, loss of self-boundaries and an altered state of consciousness; found in religious, aesthetic and peak-life moments.

Educational psychology: study of learning, development, and teaching Educational psychology Educational psychology examines how people learn and develop in instructional settings, linking research on cognition, motivation, assessment, and classroom practice to improve tea…

Egocentrism: cognitive self-centeredness in development and social behavior Egocentrism Egocentrism is a tendency to view the world from one's own perspective and prioritize self-relevant information. It is central to early childhood development and can persist in var…

Emetophobia: the fear of vomiting — symptoms, causes, and treatments Emetophobia Emetophobia is an intense fear of vomiting or seeing vomiting. This article outlines its features, typical onset, common effects on daily life, and evidence-based approaches to ass…

Emotion: definition, components, biology, and functions Emotion A concise encyclopedia overview of emotion: what emotions are, their main components, biological bases, adaptive roles, and relations to mood and personality.

Emotional intelligence: definition, models, uses, and controversies Emotional intelligence Overview of emotional intelligence (EI): core concepts, three main models, measurement methods, applications in work and relationships, development strategies, and common criticism…

Empathy: understanding and sharing others' feelings Empathy Empathy is the capacity to perceive, understand, and sometimes share the emotional state of another. It includes cognitive and emotional components and plays roles in relationships…

Emptiness (emotional state): definition, causes, and cultural perspectives Emptiness Emptiness is a subjective sense of hollowness or disconnection. This article summarizes its psychological features, common causes, cultural and philosophical views, and approaches…

Ephebophilia: definition, distinctions, and clinical context Ephebophilia Ephebophilia is a persistent sexual preference for post‑pubescent adolescents (typically mid‑ to late‑teens). This entry explains the term, distinctions from related concepts, clin…

Erikson's stages of psychosocial development A clear overview of Erik Erikson's eight-stage model describing psychological growth across the lifespan, its origins, stage characteristics, applications, and main criticisms.

Erotomania (de Clerambault’s syndrome) Erotomania Erotomania is a psychiatric condition in which a person holds a fixed, false belief that another person is in love with them; it can lead to stalking, legal problems, and requires…

Euphoria: intense states of happiness, causes, and clinical relevance Euphoria Euphoria is an intense state of well‑being and elation. This article explains what euphoria is, common natural and clinical causes, basic neurobiology, cultural contexts, risks, an…

Evolutionary psychology: principles, history, and applications Evolutionary psychology Evolutionary psychology studies how evolved cognitive and behavioral traits influence human thought and action, integrating ideas from evolutionary biology and ethology with psycho…

Executive functions: cognitive control of behavior and goal-directed thought Executive functions Executive functions are cognitive processes—attention, working memory, inhibition and flexibility—that coordinate goal-directed behavior, develop across the lifespan, and can be af…

Exhibitionism Exhibitionism: a behavioral tendency to gain arousal or attention by exposing oneself or performing sexual acts in view of others, described as a paraphilia when distressing or non…

Extrasensory perception (ESP) Extra-sensory perception Extrasensory perception (ESP) refers to claimed awareness or information acquisition beyond the five senses; studied by parapsychology but not accepted by mainstream science due to…

Extraversion and Introversion: A Personality Dimension Extraversion and introversion Overview of extraversion and introversion: traits, history, common misconceptions, practical implications, and distinctions within personality theory.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR is a psychotherapy approach developed for treating traumatic memories and related symptoms. This article explains its origins, eight-phase protocol, proposed mechanisms, evide…

Facepalm: the gesture of frustration, embarrassment, and social meaning Facepalm A facepalm is a common human gesture in which a hand covers the face. It signals frustration, embarrassment, disbelief or exasperation and appears across cultures, in media, and on…

False consensus (cognitive bias — overestimating shared beliefs and behaviors) False consensus False consensus is the tendency to assume one's own opinions, preferences, or habits are common. This bias shapes social perception, decision-making, norms, and can produce miscomm…

False memory: causes, characteristics and real-world impact False memory False memory describes recollections that are inaccurate or entirely fabricated. This article summarizes mechanisms, research history, types, legal and clinical implications, and m…

Fatigue: causes, types, symptoms and management Fatigue Fatigue is a common sensation of physical or mental exhaustion. This article explains its forms, typical signs, common causes, assessment and practical strategies for prevention an…

Fear: Nature, Biology, Evolution, Disorders, and Management Fear Overview of fear as an emotion and biological response, its adaptive role, neural and physiological mechanisms, common disorders and treatments, and distinctions between fear, anxi…

Fear of the Dark (Nyctophobia, Scotophobia, Lygophobia) Fear of the dark Fear of the dark is a common anxiety in childhood and sometimes adulthood. Severe or persistent forms are called nyctophobia, scotophobia or lygophobia; causes, signs, and treatmen…

Feeling: personal, subjective experience of sensations, emotions, and states Feeling Overview of feelings: the subjective quality of sensations, emotions, and moods; how they arise, how they differ from related concepts, their functions, measurement, development, c…

Female sexual arousal disorder: overview, causes, diagnosis, and management Female sexual arousal disorder Female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is a condition marked by difficulty becoming or staying sexually aroused. This article explains symptoms, causes, assessment, and common appro…

Feminist therapy: principles, history, practice, and distinctions Feminist therapy Feminist therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that emphasizes gender, power, and social context. It developed in the 1970s and focuses on empowerment, equality in the therapeuti…

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: causes, features, prevention and care Fetal alcohol syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a range of birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. This article explains features, causes, history, diagn…

Fetishism An overview of fetishism in sexual, religious, anthropological, and economic contexts, including history, clinical definitions, social aspects, and distinctions between consensual…

Flirting: social signals, types, history and boundaries Flirting Flirting is a set of social behaviors that signal romantic or sexual interest. This article describes typical signals, social functions, cultural differences, and consent-aware pra…

Flow (psychology): the optimal experience of deep engagement Flow (psychology) Flow is a psychological state of deep, focused engagement in an activity, marked by absorption, clarity of goals, and a balance of challenge and skill. This article explains charac…

Flynn effect: Rising IQ scores, causes, and controversies Flynn effect Long-term rise in measured intelligence test scores observed across many countries; covers measurement patterns, suggested causes, effects on classification, and recent debates abo…

Folie à deux (shared or induced delusional disorder) Folie à deux Folie à deux, or shared/induced delusional disorder, is a psychiatric phenomenon in which delusions or other psychotic symptoms are transmitted between closely connected people; ov…

Foot fetishism: overview, characteristics, history and social context Foot fetishism A concise encyclopedia entry on foot fetishism: definition, typical features, prevalence, common practices (including footjobs), cultural history, clinical perspective, consent and…

Forensic psychology: roles, methods, history, and legal applications Forensic psychology Forensic psychology applies psychological knowledge to legal questions. This article explains its scope, common tasks, methods, history, training, and how it differs from related f…

Four temperaments (classical personality theory) Four temperaments A historical classification that divides personalities into sanguine, choleric, melancholic and phlegmatic types, originating in ancient medical theory and later used in literature…

Fragile X syndrome: overview, genetics, features, diagnosis, and management Fragile X syndrome Fragile X syndrome is an inherited neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene. It produces cognitive, behavioral and physical effects and requires genetic te…