psychology

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gy sī-ˈkä-lə-jē How to pronounce psychology (audio)
plural psychologies
1
: the science of mind and behavior
2
a
: the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual or group
b
: the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity
3
: a theory or system of psychology
Freudian psychology
the psychology of Jung

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The Roots of Psychology

The word psychology was formed by combining the Greek psychē (meaning “breath, principle of life, life, soul,”) with –logia (which comes from the Greek logos, meaning “speech, word, reason”). An early use appears in Nicholas Culpeper’s mid-17th century translation of Simeon Partliz’s A New Method of Physick, in which it is stated that “Psychologie is the knowledg of the Soul.” Today, psychology is concerned with the science or study of the mind and behavior. Many branches of psychology are differentiated by the specific field to which they belong, such as animal psychology, child psychology, and sports psychology.

Examples of psychology in a Sentence

She studied psychology in college. the psychology of an athlete the psychology of crowd behavior We need to understand the psychologies of the two people involved in the incident.
Recent Examples on the Web Such challenges articulate why research at the intersection of weather, sociology, psychology, and risk communication is so important. Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024 Media studies, European studies, psychology, international relations and civil engineering makes the list—design does not. Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2024 Reporters spoke with more than 50 experts – in nutrition, endocrinology, psychology, exercise physiology and neuroscience – and people who are intimately familiar with the challenges of extra pounds. Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 26 Sep. 2024 Adelphi University professor of psychology Lea A. Theodore, PhD, who has more than two decades of experience working with children and adolescents, has a variety of concerns about the policy in question, as well. Mia Taylor, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for psychology 

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin psychologia, from psych- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of psychology was in 1749

Dictionary Entries Near psychology

Cite this Entry

“Psychology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. Accessed 14 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

psychology

noun
psy·​chol·​o·​gy sī-ˈkäl-ə-jē How to pronounce psychology (audio)
plural psychologies
1
: the science or study of mind and behavior
2
: the particular ways in which an individual or group thinks or behaves
Etymology

from scientific Latin psychologia "the study of the mind and behavior," derived from Greek psychē "soul, mind" and Greek -logia "science, study"

Medical Definition

psychology

noun
psy·​chol·​o·​gy -jē How to pronounce psychology (audio)
plural psychologies
1
: the science of mind and behavior
2
a
: the mental or behavioral characteristics typical of an individual or group or a particular form of behavior
mob psychology
the psychology of arson
b
: the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity
color psychology
the psychology of learning
3
: a treatise on or a school, system, or branch of psychology

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