Self (identity and consciousness) Self The self is an individual's sense of being and identity — covering subjective experience, self-concept, social identity, development, and cultural variation.
Self-cannibalism (autosarcophagy or autocannibalism) Self-cannibalism Self-cannibalism is the act of consuming parts of one's own body. This article explains forms, causes, animal examples, health and legal issues, and approaches to treatment and pre…
Self‑esteem: definitions, causes, effects and ways to support healthy self‑regard Self-esteem Overview of self‑esteem: what it means, how psychologists measure it, contributing factors, potential effects on wellbeing, legal and public‑health perspectives, and practical ways…
Self-fulfilling prophecy A phenomenon where expectations or predictions influence actions so that the predicted outcome occurs; relevant in psychology, sociology, economics, medicine and everyday life.
Self-injury (self-harm): causes, forms, and responses Self-injury Overview of self-injury: what it is, common methods and reasons, associated conditions, risks including suicide, and approaches to support and treatment.
Sensitivity: meanings, measures, and applications Sensitivity Overview of sensitivity across psychology, biology, engineering, statistics and finance; definitions, measurement, uses, and important distinctions.
Separation anxiety disorder: causes, symptoms, and treatment Separation anxiety disorder Separation anxiety disorder is an excessive, developmentally inappropriate fear of being apart from attachment figures. This article explains symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and commo…
Sexual addiction and compulsive sexual behavior: overview and controversies Sexual addiction A neutral, concise overview of sexual addiction (compulsive sexual behavior), its features, history, debate over diagnosis, research findings, and approaches to treatment and suppo…
Sexual arousal: physiology, psychology, and variation Sexual arousal Sexual arousal is the physiological and psychological state that prepares humans and many animals for sexual activity; it involves bodily responses, hormones, emotions and cultural…
Sexual attraction Sexual attraction is the experience of being drawn to others for sexual or erotic interest; it involves biological, psychological and social factors and varies across species and i…
Sexual fetishism: definition, history, types, and clinical distinctions Sexual fetishism Sexual fetishism is arousal focused on objects or body parts not typically sexual. This article outlines definitions, common types, historical context, clinical distinctions, and s…
Short-term memory: overview, characteristics, and significance Short-term memory Short-term memory is the brain's temporary store for information held for seconds to about a minute. It has limited capacity, interacts with working memory, and is important for ev…
Shotacon (shōta): Japanese term for attraction to young male fictional characters Shotacon Shotacon refers to a Japanese term and genre describing attraction to fictional young male characters. The topic covers origins, typical forms in media, legal and cultural controve…
Silliness: definition, characteristics, history, and cultural roles Silliness Playful or foolish behavior used for humor, bonding, and creative expression; covers traits, history, and uses in media and performance.
Similarity (psychology): mental grouping, models, and measurement Similarity (psychology) Similarity in psychology refers to how people perceive items as alike and group them. Covers major models, experimental methods, development, applications in categorization and mem…
Sinistrophobia: fear of the left side and left-handed people Sinistrophobia Sinistrophobia is an anxiety disorder involving an excessive fear of the left side of objects, people on the left, or left-handedness. It may cause avoidance, panic symptoms, and s…
Sleep deprivation: causes, effects, treatment, and societal impact Sleep deprivation Comprehensive overview of sleep deprivation: definitions, causes, acute vs chronic forms, cognitive and physical effects, treatments and prevention, plus therapeutic uses and misus…
Sleep paralysis: causes, symptoms, and management Sleep paralysis Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move when falling asleep or waking, often accompanied by vivid hallucinations and intense fear. This article explains causes, features,…
Sleepwalking (Somnambulism): Causes, Characteristics, and Management Sleepwalking A comprehensive overview of sleepwalking (somnambulism): what it is, typical features, suspected causes, diagnosis and treatments, safety measures, and how it differs from other sl…
Social anxiety disorder: overview, symptoms, causes, and treatment Social anxiety disorder A clear, neutral overview of social anxiety disorder: core features, typical symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments, and how it differs from normal shyness.
Specific phobia Specific phobia is an intense, persistent fear of a particular object or situation that leads to avoidance, distress and functional impairment; common types include animals, height…
Sport psychology: principles, methods, and applications Sport psychology Study and practice of psychological principles applied to athletic performance, motivation, teamwork, injury rehabilitation and well‑being across competitive and recreational sport…
Stereotype threat: causes, examples, research, and ways to reduce it Stereotype threat Stereotype threat is the situational risk of confirming a negative group stereotype, which can impair performance. This article outlines its meaning, mechanisms, examples, research…
Stereotypic Movement Disorder A neurodevelopmental condition characterized by repetitive, nonfunctional movements that can cause impairment or injury. Covers symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatments and distinct…
Stigma in Biology and Society: Marks, Social Exclusion, and Cultural Meanings Stigma Overview of stigma across biology and society: physical marks in anatomy and plants, light-sensitive eyespots, and social stigma—its causes, consequences, cultural examples, and re…
Nipple stimulation: physiology, effects, and considerations Stimulation of nipples Overview of nipple stimulation, its physiological effects (including oxytocin release), variations in sensitivity, uses in intimacy and breastfeeding, and safety and consent consid…
Stimulus (psychology): definition, types, and applications Stimulus (psychology) An overview of the psychological concept of a stimulus: definitions, distinctions (distal/proximal, conditioned/unconditioned), experimental usage, clinical tests and practical exa…
Stockholm syndrome: overview, history, psychology, and significance Stockholm syndrome Stockholm syndrome is a psychological reaction in which hostages or abuse victims develop sympathy, loyalty, or positive feelings toward their captors; it is best understood as a c…
Stream of consciousness (psychology and literary technique) Stream of consciousness An account of the term 'stream of consciousness': its meaning in psychology, its adoption as a literary method, history, distinguishing features, examples, and modern relevance.
Stress (physiological and psychological responses) Stress Stress is the body's and mind's set of responses to perceived demands or threats. This article explains definitions, biological mechanisms, types, symptoms, health effects, measure…
Stress management: techniques, effects, and when to seek help Stress management Overview of methods to reduce psychological and physical stress, covering symptoms, common techniques, lifestyle changes, therapy options, and guidance on when to get professional…
Subliminal stimuli: perception below conscious awareness Subliminal stimuli Subliminal stimuli are sensory inputs presented below conscious detection. This article reviews methods, neural findings, theoretical accounts, practical limits, applications, and…
Suicide: definition, causes, prevention, and social impact Suicide An encyclopedic overview of suicide: terminology, common risk factors, epidemiology, prevention strategies, and social and cultural considerations. Guidance for seeking help is inc…
Surprise (emotion): definition, signs, functions, and distinctions Surprise (emotion) Surprise is a brief emotional and physiological response to unexpected events, characterized by rapid attention shift, facial changes, and varied outcomes; it plays an orienting an…
Synesthesia: blending of the senses and its types, causes, and history Synesthesia Synesthesia is a perceptual condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway triggers involuntary experiences in another. Covers types, causes (congenital and acq…
Teasing: social behavior, forms, effects, and responses Teasing Concise guide to teasing: playful and hurtful forms, social functions, cues, when it becomes harassment, impacts, and practical ways targets and bystanders can respond.
Technosexuality: gadget culture, attraction to machines, and cultural meanings Technosexuality Technosexuality denotes strong enthusiasm for gadgets and tech-driven lifestyle or sexual/romantic attraction to machines; the term spans culture, marketing, ethics, and debates ab…
Telepathy: concept, history, methods, and scientific assessment Telepathy Telepathy—the claimed transfer of thoughts or feelings between minds without ordinary sensory channels—its history, experimental approaches, cultural role, and the scientific evalu…
Temperament: innate patterns of behavior and emotional reactivity Temperament Temperament describes biologically rooted behavioral and emotional tendencies that shape how individuals react, regulate, and interact. It differs from mood and can influence devel…
Temporal lobe The temporal lobe is a region of the cerebral cortex involved in hearing, language, memory, and high-level visual processing. It contains structures essential for long-term memory…
The Psycho-Social, Chemical, Biological & Electro-Magnetic Manipulation of Human Consciousness Debut studio album by underground hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, noted for dark, conspiratorial themes, dense production by Stoupe, released 1997 and reissued in 2003.
Thomas Szasz: Psychiatrist, Critic of Coercive Psychiatry, and Author Thomas Szasz Overview of Thomas Szasz (1920–2012), his main arguments against the medical model of mental illness, major works, controversies, and influence on psychiatry, law, and civil libert…
Thought: human mental activity, forms, study, and distinctions Thought Overview of thought as conscious mental activity: its forms, relation to unconscious processes, how it is studied across disciplines, examples of uses, and distinctions from instin…
Thought disorder (formal thought disorder) Thought disorder A clinical description of disrupted flow or organization of thinking that affects speech and writing. Covers features, causes, history, clinical evaluation, and distinctions from o…
Tic (involuntary motor or vocal behavior) Tic Sudden, involuntary motor movements or vocalizations, often beginning in childhood. Covers types, causes, associated conditions, diagnosis, course, and management including behavio…
Tickling: sensation, response, and social context Tickling An overview of tickling as a tactile sensation: typical responses, common locations, social and developmental roles, history of study, and distinctions between playful and aversive…
Toddler: Development, Characteristics, and Care for Young Children Toddler Overview of the toddler stage of childhood (about 1–4 years): key developmental milestones, common behaviors, care practices, safety considerations and cultural notes for caregiver…
Torture: definition, forms, consequences, and legal context Torture Torture is the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental suffering to punish, coerce, intimidate, or obtain information; it has deep legal, medical and social consequence…
