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Sage Social Science Thesaurus

Content language

social science subjects > psychology > behavior mechanisms > defense mechanisms > acting out

... > psychotherapy > psychodynamic therapy > psychoanalysis > defense mechanisms > acting out

... > psychotherapy > psychodynamic therapy > psychoanalysis > defense mechanisms > acting out

... > psychotherapy > psychodynamic therapy > psychoanalysis > defense mechanisms > acting out

Preferred term

acting out

Definition

The enactment of unconscious tension in the form of disruptive behavior. The behavior is associated with poor frustration tolerance, poor reality testing, and a tendency toward repetition compulsion. [Source: The Dictionary of Family Psychology and Family Therapy; acting out]

Broader concept

defense mechanisms

Belongs to group

concepts

URI

https://concepts.sagepub.com/social-science/concept/acting_out

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