Psychological hedonism is a concept that suggests people are primarily motivated by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. In an effort to better understand this idea, it's helpful to consider synonyms for the term. Some alternative phrases that can be used interchangeably with psychological hedonism include pleasure-seeking behavior, self-gratification, instant gratification, and hedonistic tendencies. Other related synonyms might include egoism, self-interest, and the pursuit of personal gain. While these ideas are all related, they each offer a slightly different perspective on the idea of human behavior being driven by a desire for pleasure and avoidance of discomfort.