8 Concepts In Psychology That We Use The Wrong Way

There are many concepts in psychology that we use incorrectly. This can be a result of little experience, a lack of knowledge or for cultural reasons. Most errors have to do with a tendency to view or use certain words as if they were synonyms. But actually they are not.

Some of these words may be closely related. Yet it is important that you know exactly how they differ in meaning. Here are eight pairs of words that belong in this category.

Wrong concepts in psychology

Negative Reinforcement – ​​Punishment

Reinforcement and punishment are two of the most important concepts in behavioral psychology. We use the first act when we are trying to increase the likelihood of a certain type of behavior. If, on the other hand, we want to reduce the behavior, we should talk about punishment.

Negative reinforcement involves removing an aversive stimulus. That means we remove an object or situation that someone finds unpleasant. This strategy increases the likelihood that previous behavior will repeat. This is an example of negative reinforcement. A mother cancels a punishment she had given her son. She rewards him for studying all afternoon.

Punishment is a negative incentive. In addition, this increases the likelihood that a behavior will repeat itself. We give you two examples. Our boss gives us a small fine for being late. In the other example, a child does not get his pudding because he has behaved badly.

Antisocial – Shy

Antisocial behaviors are acts that are dangerous or harmful to society or to third parties. These people feel rejected or have a hard time living in today’s society.

Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) is a psychiatric disorder. This is attributed to persons who reject the prescribed norms and the law. They can even commit serious crimes impulsively. However, they know very well that they are breaking the law. At the other extreme, we find shyness. It does not result in harming or hurting other people. It is simply a feeling of insecurity that a person experiences when confronted with new social situations.

Subconscious – Unconscious

To tell these two concepts apart in psychology, we have to look at Sigmund Freud. These two terms are often used interchangeably. Yet there are subtle and important differences between the two concepts.

The subconscious is the emotional mind that obeys our tastes and desires. We give an example. If we change the place where we put the clothes basket, it will take us a few days to get used to this new place. This is proof that the subconscious neural connections become stronger over time.

On the other hand, we have the unconscious. It is the spiritual content that escapes our consciousness or is difficult to reach through our consciousness. It is also the most primitive part of our minds, the fruit of genetic enhancement after years of trying and making mistakes. Our breathing is an example of something that keeps the unconscious in check.

envy – jealousy

This is another one of the concepts in psychology that we often misuse. The difference between these two things is very simple. Because it is a matter of quantity and possession. There can only be envy when two people are involved. Because it is an emotion that has to do with “not having”. Such a person craves what another person has. He also doesn’t want the other to own it.

Normally, jealousy involves three or more people. Also jealousy includes “to have”. It occurs when someone feels that a relationship valuable to them has been threatened. It’s an emotional response out of fear of losing something we value deeply. So when our neighbor has bought a new car, we will feel envy. But when our best friend gets married, we can be jealous. Because his new wife is ruining our friendship with this friend.

Gender – Gender

The following information is taken from the latest editions of the style manual of the well-known  Psychological Association (APA, 2010). Gender refers to the biological differences that exist in humans. Gender has more to do with social differences.

We therefore regard gender as something that determines nature. This means that a person is born male or female. According to the APa, on the other hand, gender is something that we learn, change and manipulate.

Delusions – Hallucinations

There is a reason why confusion between these two concepts can arise in psychology. Because patients with auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) can develop delusions (for example, they believe that other people want to harm them).

A hallucination is an experience in perception, which is entirely fabricated by the mind. But a delirium involves a distortion of some external stimuli or of an existing reality. The delirium is still primarily an extended belief that is lived with deep conviction, notwithstanding the fact that common sense points in a different direction.

Sensation – Perception

These two processes are part of the same pathway that starts with the stimuli and ends in the brain. We often use them as synonyms. But actually they are not exactly the same. We receive sunlight through the retina of the eye and a sound through the hair cells of the middle ear. A person receives both internal and external stimuli and receives them thanks to these receptors.

Sensation is therefore the initial stage of the perception process. Our five senses carry it out. The observation is the next stage. It is the psychological and biological process by which the brain interprets and gives meaning to the information that reaches the brain through the senses.

Symptom – Signs

Both factors point to psychopathology. But symptoms are subjective and signs are largely objective. Patients themselves list and explain symptoms. This is done from their own point of view and perception. Examples include drowsiness, pain, muscle weakness or dizziness.

But signs are what medical professionals determine through appropriate psychological and physical examinations. Some of those signs are fever, swelling, psychomotor retardation, or jaundice.

It is important that we know how to properly use these concepts in psychology. For it will help us to understand things and explain things in a more accurate way. A happy result is worth the wait!