component instinct

in psychoanalytic theory, a fundamental element of the sexual instinct that has a specific source in one part of the body (e.g., the oral instinct) and a particular aim (e.g., instinct to master). The component instincts are posited to function independently during the early stages of psychosexual development and later to fuse during the genital stage, which begins at puberty. Also called partial instinct; part instinct.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

masking level difference (MLD)

Sorry, "masking-level-difference-mld" is not in the Dictionary of Psychology. Please report to APA if you believe this is an error.