Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


off-time life events

events that occur at a nontypical or unexpected point in the lifespan for members of a given population. Examples are cancer in a child and marriage for a 90-year-old. Compare on-time life events.

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

February 19th 2025

scotomization

scotomization

n. in psychoanalytic theory, the tendency to ignore or be blind to impulses or memories that would threaten the individual’s ego. Scotomization is a defensive process and may also be a form of resistance. Also called scotomatization. See also blind spot.