Author: Glossary
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Somatic compliance
The participation of the body in the expression of unconscious intrapsychic conflict. Somatic compliance implies a readiness of specific organs or body parts to provide a somatic outlet for psychological processes, either because of their unconscious meanings or because a constitutional weakness predisposes them to be used in this way.
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Soma
The body. Contrast with psyche, the mind. The totality of an organism’s physical makeup. All cells in the body except bacteria. The body as distinct from the mind. The physical aspect of a person, contrasting with the mental or emotional aspect. The entire body, except for the reproductive cells. The central portion of the body,…
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Sodomy
Anal intercourse. Legally, the term may include other types of perversion such as bestiality. A paraphilia variously defined by law to include sexual intercourse with animals, and mouth/genital or anal contact between humans. Anal sexual intercourse between men. In medical usage, anal intercourse; which is usually homosexual, but may involve an animal or be heterosexual.…
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Sociotherapy
Any treatment in which emphasis is on socioenvironmental and interpersonal rather than intrapsychic factors, as in a therapeutic community. In most forms of sociotherapy, peer acceptance is an important element, typically achieved through confrontation by the group when peer expectations are not met. Treatment of the interpersonal aspects of a person’s life situation.
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Sociopath
An unofficial term referring to a person with antisocial personality disorder. A person without a conscious. An individual with antisocial personality disorder.
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Sociometry
The science of assessing the interpersonal psychological structure of a group or society. An analytical tool used to determine what informal groups exist within an organization and their memberships. The science concerned with measuring social behavior.
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Sociology
The study of the governing principles and development of social organization and the group behavior of people, in contrast to individual behavior. It overlaps to some extent with anthropology. The science that studies human societies has some overlap with cultural anthropology, political science, economics, and psychology. The study of human social behavior and the origins,…
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Sociobiology
The study of the evolution of social behavior. This field of study is rooted in evolutionary biology, ethology, and comparative psychology. A subcategory of biology that attempts to trace social behavior to genetically based predispositions, an approach that has led to some controversy when extended to humans. Analysis of social behavior in terms of evolutionary…
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Social work
A profession whose primary concern is how human needs—both of individuals and of groups—can be met within society. Social and behavioral sciences provide its educational base. The services provided include general social services, such as health and education, and welfare services to targeted groups such as the economically disadvantaged, the disabled, the elderly, or victims…
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Social withdrawal
A pathological retreat from people or the world of reality, often seen in schizophrenia.