Psychology

Trait theory in personality psychology Trait theory Trait theory explains personality as stable habitual patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion. It describes major trait models, measurement approaches, history, applications, and…

Transphobia: definition, forms, history and societal effects Transphobia Transphobia is prejudice or discrimination against transgender people. This article explains its forms, origins, legal responses, impacts on health and asylum, and related terms li…

Trichotillomania (Hair‑Pulling Disorder) Trichotillomania Concise encyclopedia entry on trichotillomania: definition, symptoms, diagnosis, causes, treatment, complications and distinctions from related conditions and disorders.

Triskaidekaphobia: the fear of the number 13 Triskaidekaphobia An accessible overview of triskaidekaphobia — origins, expressions in architecture and culture, related phobias like fear of Friday the 13th, and psychological and social aspects.

Trypophobia: aversion to clustered holes and bumps Trypophobia Trypophobia is an aversion to clusters of holes or bumps that can cause disgust, anxiety, or physical symptoms; its causes and classification are still being researched.

Uncanny valley: human likeness and emotional response Uncanny valley The uncanny valley describes a dip in comfort or affinity people feel for objects that look almost, but not quite, human. It influences robotics, animation, prosthetics and social…

Unconscious mind Overview of the unconscious mind: its characteristics, history, role in mental life, clinical and scientific perspectives, and how it differs from conscious processes.

Victim (person subjected to harm or crime) Victim A victim is someone who experiences harm, loss, or injury—often from crime, accident, abuse, or negligence. This article covers definitions, types, legal and social contexts, suppo…

Vladimir Zinchenko: Russian psychologist and editor of Cultural-Historical Psychology Vladimir Zinchenko Vladimir Zinchenko (1931–2014), Russian psychologist and academic leader, editor-in-chief of Cultural-Historical Psychology, author and mentor who shaped Soviet and post-Soviet psy…

Voyeurism: definition, characteristics, history, and cultural impact Voyeurism Voyeurism is deriving sexual or psychological interest from observing others in private situations. This article explains its features, history, legal and psychological perspective…

Walter Mischel: psychologist best known for the marshmallow test and self‑control research Walter Mischel Walter Mischel (1930–2018) was an Austrian‑born American psychologist whose work on delay of gratification, personality theory, and self‑regulation reshaped the study of human beha…

Weber–Fechner law Weber-Fechner law A foundational psychophysical principle linking physical stimulus magnitude to perceived intensity, combining Weber’s just-noticeable-difference observation with Fechner’s logarith…

Word salad: definition, causes, clinical meaning, and distinctions Word salad Word salad is a string of speech that lacks coherent meaning. It appears in some psychiatric and neurological conditions and is distinguished from jargon, neologisms, and language…

Worry (emotion): causes, effects, and ways to manage Worry Worry is a common emotional response involving concern about real or potential problems. This article outlines its nature, causes, effects, and practical strategies to reduce unhel…

Yawn A yawn is a brief reflex involving a deep inhalation and stretching often linked to tiredness, social contagion, and uncertain physiological functions across humans and many animal…

Yo‑yo effect (weight cycling) Yo-yo effect The yo‑yo effect, or weight cycling, describes repeated losses and regains of body weight after dieting. It reflects biological, behavioral, and social causes and can affect health…

Zoophilia (zoosexuality) Zoophilia Zoophilia is a paraphilia characterized by sexual attraction to animals. This article covers definitions, differences from bestiality, historical and legal context, clinical views,…