psychic determinism

the position, associated particularly with Sigmund Freud, that mental (psychic) events do not occur by chance but always have an underlying cause that can be uncovered by analysis. See determinism. See also Freudian slip.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

novelty seeking

1. a personality trait characterized by a strong interest in having new experiences; it is often associated with risk-taking behavior, and hence the term may be used synonymously with sensation seeking. It is also increasingly the preferred term for neophilia.

2. see Cloninger’s psychobiological model of personality; Temperament and Character Inventory.