representation

n. that which stands for or signifies something else. For example, in cognitive psychology the term denotes a mental representation, whereas in psychoanalytic theory it refers to an introject (see introjection) of a significant figure or to a symbol for a repressed impulse. —represent vb. —representational adj. —representative adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 22nd 2025

Gesellschaft

n. a type of society (the literal meaning of this German word) or social group in which people feel relatively isolated from each other. Their relationships are primarily contractual in nature, being guided chiefly by rational self-interest and the logic of the marketplace. Compare Gemeinschaft. [first described in 1887 by German sociologist Ferdinand Julius Tönnies (1855–1936)]