avoidance of intimacy

the tendency of some individuals to shun closeness in interpersonal relations. People who avoid intimacy are reluctant and often fearful to become physically or emotionally close to another person, tend to have superficial relationships, and often report feeling lonely. In attachment theory, avoidance of intimacy is considered the defining characteristic of an avoidant attachment style in adulthood.

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Psychology term of the day

February 20th 2025

dual representation

the ability to comprehend an object simultaneously as the object itself and as a representation of something else. For example, a photograph of a person can be represented both as the print itself and as the person it depicts. Also called dual encoding; dual orientation.