primary anxiety

in psychoanalytic theory, anxiety experienced as a spontaneous response to any stimulus that causes dissolution of the ego. Compare signal anxiety.

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 28th 2025

coaction task

any performance, competition, work assignment, or other goal-oriented activity that individuals execute in the presence of one or more other individuals who are performing a similar type of task. Examples include an aerobics exercise session and students taking a written test in a classroom. Compare audience task.