prelogical thinking

in psychoanalytic theory, primitive thought processes that are characteristic of early childhood, when thought is under the control of the pleasure principle rather than the reality principle. Such thinking may also occur later in life, as in daydreaming, in which wish fulfillment is dominant, or in psychosis. See also magical thinking; primary process.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

free field

in acoustics, a sound field that has no reflective boundaries.