Cathection

/kəˈθɛkʃən/ noun

Definition

An alternative term for cathexis; the process or result of directing emotional or psychological energy toward a person, object, or idea.

Etymology

From cathect plus the noun-forming suffix -ion, creating a variant of cathexis. Both terms emerged in psychological literature in the early 20th century as translations of Freud's concepts.

Kelly Says

This is basically psychology's way of saying 'emotional investment'—the reason you care deeply about specific things and people more than others.

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