1. the concept that the individual is primarily responsible for selecting stimuli and organizing responses. Individuals attend to those aspects of the environment they deem relevant, rather than responding to whatever stimuli are present and detectable.

2. a personality theory that emphasizes one’s unique life experiences (one’s idioverse), the relevance of psychodynamic factors, and the role of creativity in one’s search for personal integration. [proposed by Saul Rosenzweig]