Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


coercive behavior

behavior designed to force others to do one’s bidding, often masked as filial devotion or as marital or parental concern and sometimes expressed directly (e.g., “If you don’t do what I say, I’ll kill myself”).

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

mantra

mantra

n.

1. in Hinduism and Buddhism, a sacred utterance, such as a syllable, phrase, or hymn (often in Sanskrit).

2. any verbal formula used for spiritual, religious, or meditative purposes to help block out extraneous thoughts and induce a state of relaxation that enables the individual to reach a deeper level of consciousness. See also concentrative meditation; transcendental meditation. Compare yantra.