Psychology And Religion key terms

Question 1

Illusion

Answer 1

not a false or mistaken belief but is based on fulfilment. Belief derived from human wishes.

Question 2

Wish fulfilment

Answer 2

The secret hope of our greatest longings satisfied

Question 3

Neurosis

Answer 3

Psychological disorder. In Freudian psychology - imbalance of the forces of id, ego, superego

Question 4

Collective neurosis

Answer 4

Neurotic illness that afflicts all people

Question 5

Unconscious mind

Answer 5

Contains basic drives, such as breathing and forgotten memories. The conscious mind contains our present thoughts & accessible memories

Question 6

Psyche

Answer 6

Technical term for mind. Understood to include all the conscious and unconscious components of the mind.

Question 7

Libido

Answer 7

Psyche’s drive to achieve satisfaction. Includes the sexual drive

Question 8

Repression

Answer 8

Freudian psychology - unwanted or taboo thoughts, desires, fears, anxieties that get banished into the unconscious

Question 9

Animism

Answer 9

Belief that natural phenomena eg animals/rocks/trees/thunder/celestial bodies have life/divinity

Question 10

Ambivalence

Answer 10

Simultaneously experiencing opposing or conflicting emotions, attitudes, ideas or wishes toward a person or situation

Question 11

Sublimation

Answer 11

Process by which the sexual instinct is redirected into other activities eg culture & art

Question 12

Psychic energy

Answer 12

(Or psychological energy) energy by which the work of the personality is performed

Question 13

Personal unconscious

Answer 13

Contains forgotten memories of the individual

Question 14

Collective unconscious

Answer 14

Jungian psychology - refers to that part of a person’s unconscious that is common to all human beings

Question 15

Archetypes

Answer 15

Can be seen as ‘Image generators’. Distinct from the actual images they generate

Question 16

Persona

Answer 16

Aspect of someone’s character presented to others; Latin origin=’mask’

Question 17

Individuation

Answer 17

Process by which individuals integrate conscious & unconscious parts of their personality. Results in psychologically balanced personality, through acceptance of various archetypes into conscious mind. (Also integration)

Question 18

Mandala

Answer 18

(Magic circle) design based on a perfectly balanced circle, centre of which is emphasised. Traditionally understood to represent balance & wholeness

Question 19

Psychology

Answer 19

The scientific study of the mind, mental processes, consciousness and behaviour.