mens rea

the malicious or blameworthy state of mind (Latin, “guilty mind”) that must be proved in addition to the actus reus to establish criminal responsibility and secure a conviction. It involves a conscious disregard for the law, which is presumed to be known by the defendant. For some crimes, the mens rea may be recklessness or negligence rather than a deliberate intention to bring about certain consequences. Also called criminal intent.

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Psychology term of the day

December 22nd 2024

security

n. a sense of safety, confidence, and freedom from apprehension. In psychology, security is believed to be engendered by such factors as warm, accepting parents and friends; development of age-appropriate skills and abilities; and experiences that build a stable sense of self. The development of security in the psychotherapeutic context (most often referred to as trust) is seen as a mediating goal that encourages open exploration of emotional and behavioral issues and is considered to be part of a strong and healthy therapist–patient relationship.