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bad me

in the self-system theory of Harry Stack Sullivan, the internalized personification of impulses and behaviors that are considered to be negative by the self and, therefore, need to be hidden or disguised from others or from the self. In a child, for instance, the bad me may arise out of a sense of parental disapproval that in turn gives rise to anxiety and self-doubt. Compare good me; not me.

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Psychology term of the day

February 23rd 2025

School and College Ability Test (SCAT)

Sorry, "school-and-college-ability-test-scat" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.