reversal of affect

reversal of affect

in psychoanalytic theory, a change in the aim of the instinct into its opposite, as when a masochistic impulse to hurt the self is transformed into a sadistic impulse to hurt others, or vice versa. Also called affect inversion; inversion of affect.

Related Terms

free will

free will the power or capacity of a human being for self-d...

one-group pretest–posttest design

one-group pretest–posttest design a variation of the pretes...

psychogenic seizure

psychogenic seizure see psychogenic nonepileptic seizure.

contralateral deficit

contralateral deficit see ipsilateral deficit.

interpersonal learning group

interpersonal learning group any group formed to help indiv...

primal trauma

primal trauma in psychoanalytic theory, a painful situation...

Quick Info

Category Psychology Term
Definitions 1
First Letter R

Browse 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