identity need

in the theory of Erich Fromm, the need to achieve a sense of uniqueness, individuality, and selfhood. Psychological autonomy and the severing of incestuous ties are considered essential for healthy individuality. Unhealthy, spurious individuality is expressed in conformity, a manifestation of the escape from freedom. Compare rootedness.

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

January 23rd 2025

negative recency

in recalling a list of items, the tendency to recall fewer of the final items of the list than the middle and early items. Negative recency contrasts with the enhanced recall of final items seen in the recency effect. Also called negative recency effect