pathogenic family pattern

negative or harmful family attitudes, standards, and behavior that lay the groundwork for mental and behavioral disorder. Examples are parental rejection; triangulation of the child into the marital relationship between the parents; and excessively harsh, excessively lenient, or inconsistent discipline.

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Psychology term of the day

December 22nd 2024

Machiavellianism

n. a personality trait marked by a calculating attitude toward human relationships and a belief that ends justify means, however ruthless. A Machiavellian is one who views other people more or less as objects to be manipulated in pursuit of his or her goals, if necessary through deliberate deception. [Niccolò Machiavelli, who argued that an effective ruler must be prepared to act in this way]