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Record 1 2012-01-16

English

Subject field(s)
  • Social Psychology
DEF

A restrictive condition, force or influence.

OBS

Caution: "restraint" and "constraint" are only synonyms if they are used figuratively to denote the means of preventing one from doing something, such as in the expressions "social constraints" or "social restraints". In other instances, because of the quirks of usage, they cannot be used interchangeably. "Restraint", in particular, is a highly polysemous term. It can denote a device that restricts movement (= restraining device); it can denote the control over one's expression, emotions or urges, i.e. moderation (DE: Mäßigung) in addition to the figurative definition already cited in this observation. "Constraint" is strictly an abstract term and can have the same figurative meaning as "restraint" cited above or it can have the slightly stronger meaning of repressing (and not simply controlling) one's own feelings, behavior, or actions.

CONT

[Deindividuation is] the process whereby social restraints are weakened, and impulsive and aggressive tendencies released ....

CONT

... conflict between what a counselor wants or needs to do in order to help the client and what he or she is limited to do by external constraints.

PHR

Legal, social constraints.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Psychologie sociale
DEF

Règle obligatoire.

OBS

Mise en garde : le terme «contrainte» a une plus grande portée sémantique que sa contrepartie anglaise «constraint». Le terme français peut revêtir un sens tant abstrait que concret, ce qui n'est pas possible en anglais (abstrait seulement).

PHR

Contrainte double, morale, sociale. Les contraintes de la vie familiale.

PHR

Agir sous la contrainte. Être soumis à des contraintes.

Spanish

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