object cathexis
1Cathexis — Cath*ex is, n. [Gr. ka qexis, keeping.] 1. (Psychiatry) the process of investing mental, emotional, or libidinal energy or significance in an object, person, or idea. [PJC] 2. (Psychiatry) the emotional or libidinal energy invested in an object,… …
2Cathexis — This page describes the general psychological term. For the episode of the same name, see Cathexis (Voyager episode). In psychodynamics, cathexis is defined as the process of investment of mental or emotional energy in a person, object, or idea.… …
3cathexis — A conscious or unconscious attachment of psychic energy to an idea, object, or person. [G. kathexis, a holding in, retention] * * * ca·thex·is kə thek səs, ka n, pl ca·thex·es …
4cathexis — noun (plural cathexes) Etymology: New Latin (intended as translation of German Besetzung), from Greek kathexis holding, from katechein to hold fast, occupy, from kata + echein to have, hold more at scheme Date: 1922 investment of mental or… …
5cathexis — cathectic /keuh thek tik/, adj. /keuh thek sis/, n., pl. cathexes / thek seez/. Psychoanal. 1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. 2. the charge of psychic energy so invested. [1920 25; < NL < Gk káthexis a… …
6cathexis — noun the concentration of libido or emotional energy on a single object or idea …
7cathexis — A charge of psychic energy. The term is particularly associated with Sigmund Freud , who used it to refer to the investment of libidinal (sexual) energy in ideas, persons, or things. These ‘object cathexes’ of the id were counterposed by anti… …
8cathexis — n. energy invested in an action or object or person (Psychology) …
9cathexis — ca•thex•is [[t]kəˈθɛk sɪs[/t]] n. pl. thex•es [[t] ˈθɛk siz[/t]] Psychoanal. 1) psl the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea 2) psl the charge of psychic energy so invested • Etymology: 1920–25; < Gk káthexis… …
10cathexis — /kəˈθɛksəs/ (say kuh theksuhs) noun Psychology 1. the investment of emotional significance in an activity, object, or idea. 2. the charge of mental energy so invested. {Greek kathexis holding, retention; rendering German Besetzung} …