psychodynamic approach

the psychological and psychiatric approach that views human behavior from the standpoint of unconscious motives that mold the personality, influence attitudes, and produce emotional disorder. The emphasis is on tracing behavior to its origins, as contrasted with the nosological approach, which concentrates on overt signs and symptoms of disorder. See dynamic psychology; psychodynamic psychotherapy.

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Psychology term of the day

April 24th 2024

unmyelinated

adj. describing a nerve fiber that lacks a myelin sheath, such as a C fiber.