Thanatos

n. the personification of death and the brother of Hypnos (sleep) in Greek mythology, whose name was chosen by Sigmund Freud to designate a theoretical set of strivings oriented toward the reduction of tension and life activity (see death instinct). In Freud’s dual instinct theory, Thanatos is seen as involved in a dialectic process with Eros (love), the striving toward sexuality, continued development, and heightened experience (see life instinct). See also nirvana principle.

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Psychology term of the day

December 19th 2024

Bekhterev’s nystagmus

a form of nystagmus that develops after the loss of a second labyrinth. Nystagmus occurs after the destruction of the first of the two labyrinths but eventually subsides, only to recur as a compensatory effect after loss of the second labyrinth. Also called compensatory nystagmus. [Vladimir M. Bekhterev]