Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The human psyche refers to the totality of an individual's mind - including conscious thoughts, unconscious desires, emotions, memories - which shape their behavior and personality.
Related terms
Id, Ego, Superego: Freudian terms representing different aspects of the human psyche. The id represents primal desires, the ego mediates between desires and reality, and the superego represents societal norms and values.
Subconscious: The part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are not currently in conscious awareness but can still influence behavior.
Defense Mechanisms: Psychological strategies used by individuals to protect themselves from anxiety or distress by distorting reality or redirecting their thoughts.