psychodynamics

1 of 2

noun

psy·​cho·​dy·​nam·​ics ˌsī-kō-dī-ˈna-miks 

-də-

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: the psychology of mental or emotional forces or processes developing especially in early childhood and their effects on behavior and mental states

2

: explanation or interpretation (as of behavior or mental states) in terms of mental or emotional forces or processes

3

: motivational forces acting especially at the unconscious level

psychodynamic

ˌsī-kō-dī-ˈna-mik 

-də-

adjective

psychodynamically

ˌsī-kō-dī-ˈna-mi-k(ə-)lē 

-də-

adverb

psychodynamic

2 of 2

adjective

psy·​cho·​dynamic "+ 

: relating to or concerned with mental or emotional forces or processes developing especially in early childhood and their effects on behavior and mental states

psychodynamically

"+ 

adverb

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

psych- + dynamic

First Known Use

Noun

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for psychodynamics

• aerodynamics
• chromodynamics
• geodynamics
• hemodynamics
• hydrodynamics
• thermodynamics
• ceramics
• dynamics
• electrodynamics
• pharmacodynamics
• hammocks
• magnetohydrodynamics

Medical Definition

psychodynamics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

psy·​cho·​dy·​nam·​ics ˌsī-kō-dī-ˈnam-iks, -də- 

1

: the psychology of mental or emotional forces or processes developing especially in early childhood and their effects on behavior and mental states

2

: explanation or interpretation (as of behavior or mental states) in terms of mental or emotional forces or processes

3

: motivational forces acting especially at the unconscious level

psychodynamic

-ik 

adjective

psychodynamically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb