Glossary / Lexicon

In psychology, the term "structure" can refer to the organization or arrangement of something, such as the structure of a person's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. It can also refer to the underlying patterns or principles that govern the functioning of something, such as the structure of a personality or the structure of a psychological disorder.

In the field of psychology, the concept of structure is often used in the context of personality theory, which is the study of individual differences in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Personality theories generally seek to describe the structure of personality, or the underlying patterns and characteristics that make up an individual's unique personality.

For example, the trait theory of personality proposes that personality is made up of a set of relatively stable traits or characteristics, such as openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Other theories, such as psychoanalytic theory, propose that personality is structured around unconscious conflicts and motivations.

In addition to personality theory, the concept of structure is also relevant to the study of psychological disorders, as many psychological disorders are thought to have a specific structure or underlying patterns of symptoms. For example, depression is often characterized by a specific set of symptoms, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities, while anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive and irrational worry or fear. Understanding the structure of psychological disorders can help psychologists and other mental health professionals diagnose and treat these conditions.