psychohistory

noun

psy·​cho·​his·​to·​ry ˈsī-kō-ˌhi-st(ə-)rē How to pronounce psychohistory (audio)
: historical analysis or interpretation using psychological and psychoanalytic methods
also : a work of history using such methods
psychohistorian noun
psychohistorical adjective

Examples of psychohistory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But psychohistory is science fiction: in reality, human decisions are opaque, and can be dramatically influenced by events and memes that no algorithm could ever predict. Dan Rockmore, The New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2024 In a place where both psychohistory and predestination exist, how much does personal choice matter? Marah Eakin, WIRED, 14 July 2023 Hari, Gaal, and Salvor discover a colony of Mentalics with special abilities that threaten to alter psychohistory itself. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2023 Hari, Gaal, and Salvor discover a colony of Mentalics with psionic abilities that threaten to alter psychohistory itself. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 May 2023 The Foundation confronts barbarian kingdoms, imperial revanchists, and shadowy telepaths who elude psychohistory’s grasp. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2021 By the end of the show’s second episode, just as psychohistory must have predicted, that fate comes to pass. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2021 Jared Harris plays Hari Seldon, a brilliant professor who develops the field of psychohistory. Jeff Ewing, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2021 The other aha moment was on the Prime Radiant, which is the device that calculates psychohistory for Hari Seldon, sort of like this Magic 8-Ball. Scott Huver, Variety, 24 Sep. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychohistory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychohistory was in 1929

Dictionary Entries Near psychohistory

Cite this Entry

“Psychohistory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychohistory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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