INTELLECTUALIZATION
The unconscious defense mechanism of concealing feelings through intellectual activity.Intellectualization takes many forms. One individual may protect himself from guilt…
INADEQUATE PERSONALITY
Apersonality pattern disturbance characterized by failure to adapt to the occupational, social, emotional, and intellectual demands of life.Although most inadequate…
INCIDENTAL LEARNING
The tendency to note and remember things not directly relevant to the activity at hand. It is often described as…
INCORPORATION
An unconscious process, sometimes termed a defense mechanism, in which the qualities of another person are taken in, or “in…
INDIVIDUAL TEST
A psychological test that is given to one subject at a time. The Wechsler Intelligence Scales, the Thematic Apperception Test,…
INFECTIOUS DISORDERS
A number of diseases have been found to produce acute, temporary brain disorders as a result of systemic infections that…
INFERIORITY COMPLEX
A term used by Alfred Adler to denote strong feelings of inadequacy and insecurity stemming from real or fancied deficiencies…
INFERTTLITY
Inability to have children, to reproduce; sterility. The term infertile is usually applied to individuals who are relatively unable to…
IATROGENIC ILLNESS
A disorder that is induced or aggravated by the physician.Suggestion plays a part in many psychological conditions, and a therapist…
INHIBITION
The process of restraining one’s impulses or desires.Inhibition may take place on either a conscious or unconscious level, or on…
IDIOT SAVANT (“wise idiot”)
A retarded individual who shows unusual ability in one or more specialized activitiesThe term is a misnomer. Idiot savants are…
INSULIN SHOCK THERAPY
treatment for serious mental disorders in which prolonged periods of coma are induced by heavy doses of insulin.The technique was…
ILLUMINATION CONDITIONS
Our ability to perform tasks that require visual discrimination is greatly influenced by lighting conditions. But in determining the optimum…
IMAGELESS THOUGHT
Thinking that occurs without the aid of visual imagesDuring the 1880s and 90s most psychologists believed that thinking always involved…
IMAGINARY COMPANION
A fictitious person, animal or object created by a child, usually between the ages of two and a half and…
IMMATURE PERSONALITY
A personality trait disturbance characterized by childish emotional and behavior patterns.Immature personalities are found at every age. Typically these individuals…
Collectivist and Individualist Cultures
Collectivist cultures tend to use an authoritarian parenting style to instill cultural values or beliefs in the children. On the…