Psychology Dictionary
  • Psychology Resources
  1. Home
  2. activity–passivity

activity–passivity

activity–passivity

in psychoanalytic theory, polarities characterizing instinctual aims (see aim of the instinct). Sigmund Freud asserted that instincts are always active but that their aims can be either active (e.g., sadism, voyeurism) or passive (e.g., exhibitionism, masochism). The concept now plays a role in many trait theories of personality.

Related Terms

mothering

mothering n. the process of nurturing, caring for, and prot...

sensorineural deafness

sensorineural deafness the loss or absence of hearing funct...

personality type

personality type any of the specific categories into which...

dorsal horn

dorsal horn either of the upper regions of the H-shaped pat...

superior olivary complex (superior olivary nucleus; superior olive)

Sorry, "superior-olivary-complex-superior-olivary-nucleus-superior-olive" is not...

military psychology

military psychology the application of psychological princi...

Quick Info

Category Psychology Term
Definitions 1
First Letter A

Browse 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

© 2025 PsychologyDB.com All rights reserved.

Terms Sitemap Contact