neuroticism etymology

Etymology:

  • Neuroticism is derived from the Ancient Greek word "νεῦρον" (neuron), meaning "nerve," and the suffix "-ism," meaning "condition."

Meaning and Origin:

Neuroticism refers to a personality trait characterized by emotional instability, anxiety, and a tendency to experience negative emotions. It emerged as a concept in psychology in the late 19th century.

Development:

  • Early 20th Century: German psychologist Wilhelm Wundt proposed a "theory of emotion" that included three dimensions: pleasure-pain, excitement-calm, and stress-relaxation.
  • 1940s: Psychologist Raymond Cattell identified neuroticism as one of the "Big Five" personality traits, based on factor analysis of personality questionnaires.
  • 1950s and 1960s: Hans Eysenck and others conducted research on the biological basis of neuroticism, linking it to the activity of the limbic system and the autonomic nervous system.
  • Contemporary Research: Neuroticism is now recognized as a core dimension of personality, with studies investigating its genetic, environmental, and neurological underpinnings.

Characteristics:

Individuals high in neuroticism tend to be:

  • Emotionally sensitive and reactive
  • Anxious and prone to worry
  • Pessimistic and have a negative outlook
  • Self-critical and insecure
  • Impulsive and have difficulty controlling emotions
  • Experience more intense and frequent negative emotions

neuroticism relate terms

  • neurotic

    Etymology The word neurotic comes from the Greek word νεῦρον neuron meanin

  • neuro

    Etymology The word neuro comes from the Ancient Greek word νεῦρον neuron wh

  • neurosis

    Etymology Greek neuron nerve osis condition Meaning Neurosis refers to a

  • neurosis

    Etymology Greek neuron nerve osis condition Meaning Neurosis refers to a

  • disturbance

    Etymology French disturbance from Old French disturbanche Latin disturbatio from distu

  • enigma

    Etymology The word enigma comes from the Greek word αἴνιγμα ainigma meaning

  • camp

    Etymology The word camp comes from the Old Italian word campo meaning open field o

  • plot

    Etymology Plot derives from the Old English word plot which meant a piece of land

  • impression

    Etymology The word impression comes from the Latin word impressio which means a mar

  • graffiti

    Etymology The word graffiti is derived from the Italian word graffito meaning a scr

  • shall

    Etymology Origin Old English sceal to owe be obliged from Proto Germanic skula

  • America

    Etymology America derives from the feminine Latin name Amerigo which is the Latinized