intrapsychic

American  

[in-truh-sahy-kik] / ˌɪn trəˈsaɪ kɪk /

adjective

Psychology.

1. from or within the mind or self.

   intrapsychic conflict.

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Other Word Forms

• intrapsychically adverb

Etymology

Origin of intrapsychic

First recorded in 1915–20; intra- + psychic

Explanation

Anything that's intrapsychic happens in your mind, like your intrapsychic conflict over whether to tell your friend the truth when he asks how you like his haircut, or to protect his feelings. The word intrapsychic comes from the Latin intra, "on the inside," and the Greek psykhē, "mind, soul, or life." It's used in psychology to describe activity, conflicts, trauma, or any other important occurrences that happen in a person's mind or psyche. A psychologist might contrast intrapsychic events with interpersonal ones, which occur between different people. So your fight with your sister is an interpersonal conflict, but your feelings about the fight are intrapsychic.

Example Sentences

But, in any case, it is quite clear that a purely intrapsychic, individualistic psychology, without preference to other people and social conditions, is not adequate.

From Scientific American • Sep. 24, 2017

But one major factor was left out: the underlying, often unconscious, intrapsychic conflicts eaters have about eating healthfully, losing weight, being thin or giving up food as comfort.

From Scientific American • May 20, 2011

This added factor leads to an exaggeration of all the unfavorable psychic tendencies which have made their appearance, and the intrapsychic struggle goes on with increased vigor.

From The Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Volume 10 by Various