Physiological relates to the functioning of the body — heart rate, hormones, breathing. Psychological relates to the mind and behaviour — thoughts, emotions, perception. A racing heart is a physiological response; the fear causing it is psychological. The two are constantly linked, which is exactly why the words get swapped.
The core difference
Both describe what is happening to a person, but at different levels.
- physiological — bodily function: a physiological response to cold.
- psychological — mind and behaviour: a psychological barrier.
Why they are so often paired
Because one produces the other constantly. Stress is psychological and raises cortisol, which is physiological. Describing an effect as "purely psychological" is often meant dismissively, and it is worth noticing that the phrase implies a separation the body does not respect.
The roots
Physiology is from Greek physis, nature — the study of how living things function. Psychology is from psyche, mind or soul. Both take -logy, so only the first element differs.
Frequently asked questions
Is anxiety physiological or psychological?
Both. The experience is psychological; the raised heart rate, shallow breathing and hormone changes that come with it are physiological.
What does physiological mean?
Relating to the normal functioning of a living body — its systems, organs and processes.
Does "purely psychological" mean not real?
No. It usually means the cause is mental rather than bodily, but psychological states produce measurable physical effects.