Problem solving: concepts, methods, and applications Problem solving An organized overview of problem solving: definitions, types, historical study, common strategies, applications in disciplines such as AI and engineering, and distinctions like wel…
Procrastination: causes, effects, and ways to manage delaying tasks Procrastination Procrastination is the voluntary delay of important tasks despite expecting negative outcomes. This article explains what it is, common causes, impacts, and practical strategies to…
Progressive supranuclear palsy: overview, features, and management Progressive supranuclear palsy Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a degenerative tauopathy causing progressive problems with balance, eye movements, speech, swallowing and cognition. This article outlines p…
Proprioception (kinesthetic sense) Proprioception Proprioception is the internal sense of body position and movement, produced by receptors in muscles, tendons and joints. It underlies balance, coordination, posture and many refle…
Proxy murder: homicide carried out on behalf of another Proxy murder Proxy murder is killing carried out by one person at the direction, request, or coercion of another. Covers definitions, forms, history, legal and ethical issues, investigation cha…
Prudery Prudery is an attitude of excessive modesty or discomfort about sexual matters. It can describe social norms, individual behavior, historical movements and debates about morality,…
Psyche: soul, mind, myth, and modern namesakes Psyche Psyche denotes the soul or mind in philosophy and psychology, a mythological figure (lover of Eros/Cupid), and a name applied to objects from asteroids to mirrors and insects.
Psyche (psychology) The psyche refers to the totality of the human mind—conscious and unconscious—used in psychology and philosophy to describe mental life, its history, parts, and relevance to behavi…
Psychedelic: meaning, effects, history and contemporary uses Psychedelic Psychedelic describes substances and mental states that alter perception, mood and cognition, producing experiences such as hallucinations and synesthesia. Covers history, effects,…
Psychiatric hospital A psychiatric hospital is a medical facility that assesses, treats and supports people with acute or chronic mental disorders through inpatient care, crisis stabilization, rehabili…
Psychoanalysis: theory, history, methods and legacy Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis is a set of theories and clinical methods originating with Sigmund Freud that emphasize the unconscious, early experience and transference; it influenced psychothera…
Psychokinesis: concept, history, research, and cultural impact Psychokinesis Overview of psychokinesis (telekinesis), its definitions, historical development in parapsychology, experimental approaches, scientific criticisms, and role in culture and entertai…
Psycholinguistics: The Psychology and Neuroscience of Language Psycholinguistics Study of mental and brain processes that enable language comprehension, production and acquisition, combining methods from psychology, linguistics and neuroscience.
Psychological abuse: definition, signs, effects, and responses Psychological abuse Psychological abuse (emotional or mental abuse) is behavior that harms another person’s emotional well‑being. This article covers patterns, consequences, contexts, and ways to reco…
Psychological nativism Psychological nativism is the view that certain cognitive structures or abilities are innate rather than learned. This article explains key claims, history, evidence, and debates a…
Psychological test Standardized procedures that measure behaviour, abilities, traits or symptoms; used in clinical, educational, occupational and research settings. Core concerns include reliability,…
Psychological trauma: causes, symptoms, and recovery Psychological trauma Overview of psychological trauma: what it is, common causes, typical symptoms, long-term effects across the lifespan, and available approaches to treatment and resilience.
Psychologist: Roles, Methods, History and Applications Psychologist An overview of psychologists: what they study, common specializations, research methods, historical development, everyday applications, and professional distinctions such as traini…
Psychology: the scientific study of mind, behavior, and mental processes Psychology Overview of psychology: its aims, methods, main branches, historical roots, applications, professional training, and links to related sciences and research with animals and humans.
Psychometrics: measurement of psychological traits, abilities, and tests Psychometrics Study and practice of designing, administering and interpreting tests that quantify mental attributes, emphasizing reliability, validity, scaling and ethical use in education, empl…
Psychopathology: study of mental disorders, methods, history and applications Psychopathology Psychopathology examines the nature, causes, presentation and classification of mental disorders, combining clinical description, assessment methods, history and applications in di…
Psychopathy: traits, diagnosis, causes, and treatment Psychopathy A clear, concise overview of psychopathy: core features, diagnostic issues, history, causes, treatment approaches, and how it differs from related conditions.
Psychosis: overview, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and social context Psychosis A clear, concise encyclopedia entry on psychosis covering its features, causes, diagnosis, treatment, history and common misconceptions.
Psychotherapy: an overview of talk-based mental health treatment Psychotherapy Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a range of professional methods for helping people manage emotional difficulties, change unhelpful patterns, and improve wellbeing and relationships…
Punishment: concepts, types, history, and social effects Punishment An overview of punishment: what it is, common forms, historical development, theories of purpose, social effects, controversies, and alternatives used in justice and child-rearing.
Pyromania: an overview of the impulse control disorder involving fire-setting Pyromania Pyromania is an impulse control disorder marked by deliberate, repeated fire-setting and fascination with fire, associated distress, legal risks, and treatment approaches like psyc…
Questioning (sexuality and gender) Questioning describes the process of exploring and uncertainly about one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or both, often occurring in adolescence and supported by community,…
Reaction speed (human reaction time) Reaction speed Reaction speed describes how quickly a person responds to a stimulus. It covers types (simple, choice), physiological limits, measurement methods, influencing factors, history, and…
Recreation: forms, benefits, settings, and social role Recreation Recreation is voluntary activity undertaken during leisure to refresh body and mind. This article explains common forms, benefits, settings, history, and why public spaces and tour…
Regression (psychology) Psychological regression is a defense mechanism in which an individual reverts to earlier patterns of thinking or behaving when faced with stress, anxiety, or conflict.
Reincarnation research: clinical investigations into children's past-life claims Reincarnation research Overview of scientific investigations into children's reported memories of past lives, key researchers, methods, typical findings, criticisms, and directions for further study.
Relaxation: concept, methods, physiological effects and uses Relaxation Relaxation is the intentional reduction of mental and physical tension through practices that calm the nervous system. It aids stress management, sleep, pain control and overall we…
Releaser (ethology): stimuli that trigger innate behavioral responses Releaser A releaser (sign stimulus) is an external cue that activates an innate releasing mechanism and produces a fixed action pattern. Overview, mechanisms, examples, history and distinct…
Reputation (social and organizational concept) Reputation Reputation is the collective evaluation of an individual, group, or organization formed through observed behavior, communication, and third‑party assessment; it affects trust, infl…
Retrograde amnesia: causes, features, diagnosis and recovery Retrograde amnesia Memory loss for events that occurred before an illness or injury. Covers characteristics (temporal gradient, episodic vs procedural), common causes, diagnosis, rehabilitation appro…
Rett syndrome Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, mainly affecting girls, caused usually by MECP2 gene mutations; it features developmental regression, loss of hand skills, move…
Reuven Feuerstein — psychologist and developer of cognitive modifiability theory Reuven Feuerstein Israeli psychologist Reuven Feuerstein (1921–2014) developed the theory of structural cognitive modifiability, mediated learning and Instrumental Enrichment, promoting dynamic asse…
Robosexuality: sexual attraction to robots and artificial agents Robosexuality Robosexuality is sexual or romantic attraction to robots or machine-like entities. This article explains definitions, distinctions, social history, ethical debates, and cultural ex…
Romantic Love: Meaning, History and Cultural Significance Romance (love) Romantic love is an emotional bond combining passion, intimacy and commitment. This article outlines its features, psychological and biological aspects, historical roots, cultural…
Romantic orientation (affectional orientation) Romantic orientation Romantic orientation describes patterns of romantic attraction toward particular sexes or genders, distinct from sexual orientation; it helps explain how people form romantic bonds…
Sadism: definitions, history, clinical aspects, and consensual practices Sadism Sadism is deriving pleasure from another's suffering; it appears in sexual and non-sexual forms. This article explains definitions, history, clinical distinctions, consensual BDSM…
Sadness: human emotion, causes, and clinical distinctions Sadness Sadness is a common emotional response to loss, disappointment or adversity. This article explains its features, causes, cultural aspects, when it becomes a disorder, and common co…
Savant syndrome: extraordinary abilities alongside neurodevelopmental differences Savant syndrome Savant syndrome describes rare cases in which individuals with developmental conditions or brain injury display exceptional skills in specific domains, often alongside cognitive or…
Schizoaffective disorder: overview, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Schizoaffective disorder Schizoaffective disorder is a long-term mental health condition combining mood disorder episodes with persistent psychotic symptoms. This article explains features, diagnosis, trea…
Schizoid personality disorder: overview, features, history, and care Schizoid personality disorder Schizoid personality disorder is a long‑standing pattern of social detachment and restricted emotional expression. This article covers features, history, differential diagnoses and…
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seasonal affective disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recurrent mood disorder with depressive episodes that happen at particular times of year, commonly in winter. It involves changes in mood, energy,…
Seat (furniture and social concept) Seat A seat is a place designed to support a person while sitting. This article explains physical types, history, social meaning, uses, and design considerations for seats in everyday l…
Seizure (Neurological Event): Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Care Seizure A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain with diverse causes and presentations, ranging from convulsions to subtle sensory or behavioral changes.
