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.

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

November 17th 2024

salivation

n. the secretion of saliva by the salivary glands, typically as a reflex response to stimuli associated with food.