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castration anxiety

fear of injury to or loss of the genitals. In the pregenital phase posited by Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the various losses and deprivations experienced by the infant boy may give rise to the fear that he will also lose his penis.

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Psychology term of the day

March 28th 2024

need for cognition

need for cognition

a personality trait reflecting a person’s tendency to enjoy engaging in extensive cognitive activity. This trait primarily reflects a person’s motivation to engage in cognitive activity rather than his or her actual ability to do so. Individuals high in need for cognition tend to develop attitudes or take action based on thoughtful evaluation of information. [originally investigated by U.S. psychologists John T. Cacioppo (1951–  ) and Richard E. Petty (1951–  )]