Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


topographic model

the original division of the psyche into three regions or systems as proposed by Sigmund Freud in 1900. The divisions are (a) the unconscious (Ucs), made up of unconscious impulses clustering around specific drives or instincts, such as hunger, thirst, and sex, as well as any repressed childhood memories associated with them; (b) the conscious (Cs), which enables the individual to adapt to society, distinguish between inner and outer reality, delay gratification, and anticipate the future; and (c) the preconscious (Pcs), which stands between the conscious and unconscious and is made up of logical, realistic ideas intermingled with irrational images and fantasies. Also called descriptive approach; systematic approach; topographic hypothesis. Compare dynamic model; economic model. See also structural model.

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

October 15th 2024

significant difference

significant difference

the situation in which a significance testing procedure indicates the statistical differences observed between two groups (e.g., a treatment group and a control group) are unlikely to reflect chance variation.