Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


orality

n. in psychoanalytic theory, the oral factor in eroticism or neurosis, ranging from pleasure in biting, sucking, smoking, or oral sex to such habits as speech-making, overeating, and alcoholism.

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 22nd 2025

incentive motivation

incentive motivation

1. in Hull’s mathematico-deductive theory of learning, an inducement, such as the expectation of a reward or punishment, that serves as an intervening variable or mediator to influence response strength. See also stimulus-intensity dynamism.

2. more generally, any motivation induced by a positive reinforcer.