Psychology Glossary
Key terms and concepts from personality psychology.
A
Agreeableness
One of the Big Five personality traits. Reflects warmth, cooperation, trust, and concern for others. High agreeableness indicates a tendency toward altruism and empathy; low agreeableness indicates more competitive or skeptical tendencies.
Attachment Style
A pattern of relating to others in close relationships, formed in early childhood and influencing adult relationships. The four main styles are Secure, Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized.
Attachment Theory
Psychological theory developed by John Bowlby explaining how early bonds with caregivers shape relationship patterns throughout life.
Auxiliary Function
In MBTI cognitive function theory, the second-most preferred function that supports and balances the dominant function.
B
Big Five
The most scientifically validated model of personality, consisting of five broad dimensions: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (OCEAN).
Behavioral Style
Observable patterns of how a person acts and interacts, as opposed to internal traits or motivations.
C
Cognitive Functions
In MBTI theory, eight mental processes that govern how people perceive information and make decisions: Se, Si, Ne, Ni, Te, Ti, Fe, Fi.
Conscientiousness
A Big Five trait reflecting self-discipline, organization, and goal-directed behavior. Associated with reliability, planning, and impulse control.
Core Fear
In Enneagram theory, the fundamental fear that drives each type's defensive patterns and motivations.
Core Desire
In Enneagram theory, the fundamental longing that each type seeks to fulfill.
D
Dark Triad
A cluster of three personality traits: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy. Associated with manipulation and callousness.
Disintegration
In Enneagram theory, the movement toward unhealthy patterns of another type during stress.
DISC
A behavioral assessment model measuring four dimensions: Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.
Dominant Function
In MBTI cognitive function theory, the primary mental process that a type uses most naturally and comfortably.
E
Enneagram
A personality system describing nine interconnected types, each defined by core motivations, fears, and patterns of behavior.
Extraversion
A Big Five trait and MBTI dimension reflecting energy derived from external stimulation and social interaction. Opposite of Introversion.
Extraverted Functions
Cognitive functions directed outward toward the external world (Se, Ne, Te, Fe).
F
Facet
A specific component or subdimension of a broader personality trait. The Big Five each have six facets.
Feeling (F)
In MBTI, a judging function that makes decisions based on values and impact on people. Can be extraverted (Fe) or introverted (Fi).
Five-Factor Model
Another name for the Big Five personality model.
G
Growth Point
In Enneagram theory, the type whose positive qualities become accessible when a person is in a healthy, integrated state.
I
Inferior Function
In MBTI cognitive function theory, the fourth function in the stack—the least developed and often a source of stress.
Integration
In Enneagram theory, the movement toward health by accessing positive qualities of the growth point.
Introversion
A Big Five trait and MBTI dimension reflecting energy derived from internal reflection and solitary activities. Opposite of Extraversion.
Introverted Functions
Cognitive functions directed inward toward internal processing (Si, Ni, Ti, Fi).
Intuition (N)
In MBTI, a perceiving function that gathers information through patterns, possibilities, and abstract connections. Can be extraverted (Ne) or introverted (Ni).
J
Judging (J)
In MBTI, a lifestyle preference for structure, planning, and closure. Judging types lead with a judging function (Thinking or Feeling) in their external life.
Judging Functions
Cognitive functions used for making decisions: Thinking (Te/Ti) and Feeling (Fe/Fi).
L
Love Languages
A framework identifying five ways people express and receive love: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch.
M
MBTI
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. A popular personality framework categorizing people into 16 types based on four dichotomies: E/I, S/N, T/F, J/P.
Machiavellianism
A Dark Triad trait characterized by manipulation, cynicism, and a focus on self-interest.
N
Narcissism
A Dark Triad trait characterized by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy.
Neuroticism
A Big Five trait reflecting tendency toward negative emotions, anxiety, and emotional instability. Its opposite is Emotional Stability.
Ni (Introverted Intuition)
A cognitive function focused on synthesizing information into deep insights and visions of the future.
Ne (Extraverted Intuition)
A cognitive function focused on generating possibilities and making connections between ideas.
O
OCEAN
Acronym for the Big Five traits: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism.
Openness to Experience
A Big Five trait reflecting curiosity, creativity, and receptiveness to new ideas and experiences.
P
Perceiving (P)
In MBTI, a lifestyle preference for flexibility, spontaneity, and keeping options open. Perceiving types lead with a perceiving function (Sensing or Intuition) in their external life.
Perceiving Functions
Cognitive functions used for gathering information: Sensing (Se/Si) and Intuition (Ne/Ni).
Personality Trait
A relatively stable characteristic that describes how a person typically thinks, feels, and behaves.
Psychopathy
A Dark Triad trait characterized by impulsivity, thrill-seeking, and callous disregard for others.
R
Reliability
In psychometrics, the consistency of a test's measurements. A reliable test gives similar results when repeated.
S
Se (Extraverted Sensing)
A cognitive function focused on present-moment sensory experience and awareness of the physical environment.
Si (Introverted Sensing)
A cognitive function focused on detailed memory and comparison of present experience to past experience.
Secure Attachment
An attachment style characterized by comfort with intimacy and independence, trust in relationships, and effective communication.
Sensing (S)
In MBTI, a perceiving function that gathers information through concrete facts and practical details. Can be extraverted (Se) or introverted (Si).
Shadow
In Jungian psychology, the unconscious aspect of personality containing repressed or undeveloped traits.
Stress Point
In Enneagram theory, the type whose negative qualities emerge when a person is under stress (disintegration).
T
Te (Extraverted Thinking)
A cognitive function focused on organizing the external world efficiently and making decisions based on objective logic.
Ti (Introverted Thinking)
A cognitive function focused on building precise internal logical frameworks and understanding how things work.
Tertiary Function
In MBTI cognitive function theory, the third function in the stack—somewhat developed but not as strong as dominant or auxiliary.
Thinking (T)
In MBTI, a judging function that makes decisions based on logic and objective analysis. Can be extraverted (Te) or introverted (Ti).
Type
A category of personality characterized by a cluster of related traits or patterns, such as an MBTI type or Enneagram type.
V
Validity
In psychometrics, whether a test actually measures what it claims to measure. Valid tests predict relevant outcomes.
Values
Core principles and beliefs that guide behavior and decision-making.
W
Wing
In Enneagram theory, one of the two types adjacent to your core type that influences your personality expression (e.g., 4w3 or 4w5).