detached character

a personality characterized by extreme self-sufficiency and lack of feeling for others. Karen D. Horney identified the development of such a character as one of three basic neurotic trends used as a defense against basic anxiety. Compare aggressive character; compliant character.

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Psychology term of the day

December 27th 2024

unilateral descent

in anthropology, a system of descent or inheritance in which descent is traced through the male line only (patriarchy) or through the female line only (matriarchy). Also called unilineal descent. Compare bilateral descent. See also descent group.