Psyche
« Back to Glossary IndexThe psyche, derived from the Greek word for breath or soul, is a psychiatric term referring to the totality of our mind, personality, and mental processes—both conscious thoughts we’re aware of and unconscious ones influencing us without our direct knowledge. Psyche is used by psychologies to explore our subjective experiences, especially the deeper, less accessible feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes that make us who we are. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung and others have described the psyche as a self-regulating system, similar to the body, that strives for balance and development (individuation) while also containing various internal aspects that function autonomously.
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