In psychoanalytic theory, the judgmental part of the personality that internalizes the moral standards of the parents.

Biological differences between males and females, in organs, hormones, and body type.

Punishment that physically hurts the body, such as slapping, spanking, etc.

The ability to control when and how emotions are expressed.

Nonphysical acts, such as insults or social rejection, aimed at harming the social connection between the victim and other people.

Behavior that hurts someone else because the aggressor wants to get or keep a possession or a privilege.

A drive, or reason to pursue a goal, that comes from inside a person, such as the need to feel smart or competent.

Erikson’s third psychosocial crisis, in which children undertake new skills and activities and feel guilty when they do not succeed at them.

A drive, or reason to pursue a goal, that arises from the need to have one’s achievements rewarded from outside, perhaps by receiving material possessions or another person’s esteem.

The unconscious desire of girls to replace their mother and win their father’s romantic love.

A cognitive concept or general belief based on one’s experiences—in this case, a child’s understanding of sex differences.

Actions that are helpful and kind but are of no obvious benefit to oneself.

The ability to understand the emotions and concerns of another person, especially when they differ from one’s own.

An attempt to defend one’s self-concept by taking on the behaviors and attitudes of someone else.

An impulsive retaliation for another person’s intentional or accidental action, verbal or physical.

Actions that are deliberately hurtful or destructive to another person.

An approach to child rearing in which the parents are indifferent toward their children and unaware of what is going on in their children’s lives.

Difficulty with emotional regulation that involves expressing powerful feelings through uncontrolled physical or verbal outbursts, as by lashing out at other people or breaking things.

Feelings of dislike or even hatred for another person.

A person’s understanding of who he or she is, in relation to self-esteem, appearance, personality, and various traits.

Pretend play in which children act out various roles and themes in stories that they create.

An approach to child rearing that is characterized by high behavioral standards, strict punishment for misconduct, and little communication from child to parent.

Unprovoked, repeated physical or verbal attack, especially on victims who are unlikely to defend themselves.

Literally, an illness of the mind, or psyche. Various cultures and groups within cultures have different concepts of a specific psychopathology. A recent compendium of symptoms and disorders in the United States is in the DSM-5. Many other nations use an international set of categories, the ICD-10.

Play that mimics aggression through wrestling, chasing, or hitting, but in which there is no intent to harm.

Make-believe friends who exist only in a child’s imagination; increasingly common from ages 3 through 7, they combat loneliness and aid emotional regulation.

The unconscious desire of young boys to replace their father and win their mother’s romantic love.

A disciplinary technique that involves threatening to withdraw love and support and that relies on a child’s feelings of guilt and gratitude to the parents.

An approach to child rearing that is characterized by high nurturance and communication but little discipline, guidance, or control. (Also called indulgent parenting.)

Differences in the roles and behaviors of males and females that are prescribed by the culture.

A disciplinary technique in which a child is separated from other people for a specified time.

Freud’s third stage of development, when the penis becomes the focus of concern and pleasure.

An approach to child rearing in which the parents set limits but listen to the child and are flexible.

The ability to regulate one’s emotions and actions through effort, not simply through natural inclination.

Difficulty with emotional regulation that involves turning one’s emotional distress inward, as by feeling excessively guilty, ashamed, or worthless.