psychopathology

noun

psy·​cho·​pa·​thol·​o·​gy ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthä-lə-jē 

-pa-

: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization

also : such dysfunction

psychopathological

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

or less commonly psychopathologic

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-jik 

psychopathologically

ˌsī-kō-ˌpa-thə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

psychopathologist

ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthä-lə-jist 

-pa-

noun

Examples of psychopathology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Thinking too much: rumination and psychopathology American Psychological Association. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 28 June 2024

Detractors argue that a taxonomy designed using superficial commonalities is still a long way from mapping the nature of psychopathology. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

This one was designed to ameliorate rather than exacerbate psychopathologies. —Gillian Silverman, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023

Where did politics end and psychology—or psychopathology—begin? —Scott Stossel, The Atlantic, 4 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

psychopathology

noun

psy·​cho·​pa·​thol·​o·​gy ˌsī-kō-pə-ˈthäl-ə-jē, -pa- 

plural psychopathologies

1

: the study of psychological and behavioral dysfunction occurring in mental illness or in social disorganization

2

: disordered psychological and behavioral functioning (as in mental illness)

the theory that holidays are associated with an increased incidence of psychopathology

—Science News