psychology
seye-KOL-uh-jih
Psychology (noun) means the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. Example: “My sister wants to study psychology so that she can work with children.”
noun
1
The scientific study of the mind and human behavior.
"My sister wants to study psychology so that she can work with children."
"The lecture on psychology covered memory, learning and how babies develop."
"She majored in psychology at university."
2
The particular mental, emotional, or behavioral patterns of a person or group.
"In the United States, the psychology of a laborer, a farmer, a businessman does not differ in any important respect."
— Victor Alba, The Latin Americans (1969)
"The psychology of a crowd can change quickly when people feel afraid."
"The novel explores the psychology of a man who cannot forgive himself."
"Understanding the psychology of consumers helps marketers design better ads."
How to use psychology
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe study of how people (or animals) think, feel, and act — or, more casually, someone's typical mental patterns.
Common pairings
study psychology
child psychology
the psychology of
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Word forms
- Plural
- psychologies
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My sister wants to study _____ so that she can work with children.
Etymology
From French psychologie, ultimately from Greek psykhē ("soul, mind") + -logia ("study of").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for psychology
See all rhymes for psychology →Frequently asked questions
What does “psychology” mean?
The word “psychology” means the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. In plain terms, the study of how people (or animals) think, feel, and act — or, more casually, someone's typical mental patterns.
How do you pronounce “psychology”?
“Psychology” is pronounced seye-KOL-uh-jih (/saɪˈkɑ.lə.d͡ʒi/ in IPA).
How do you use “psychology” in a sentence?
Here is “psychology” used in a sentence: “She majored in psychology at university.”
What part of speech is “psychology”?
“Psychology” is a noun.
Where does the word “psychology” come from?
The word “psychology” comes from French. From French psychologie, ultimately from Greek psykhē ("soul, mind") + -logia ("study of").
Is “psychology” a common word?
“Psychology” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “psychology” have?
“Psychology” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the scientific study of the mind and human behavior.
What is the difference between psychology and psychiatry?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, and psychologists are not usually medical doctors. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine, so psychiatrists hold medical degrees and can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication.
What is the difference between psychology and sociology?
Psychology focuses on the individual mind and the behaviour of single people. Sociology studies groups, institutions, and society as a whole, looking at how people behave collectively rather than individually.
Is the word 'psychology' capitalised?
As a general noun it stays lowercase, as in 'she studies psychology.' It is capitalised only when part of a proper name, such as a course title or a university department like 'the Department of Psychology.'
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