psychology
noun
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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
Alexandra Plakias, CNN, 9 Dec. 2024
The proportions of those with employment or postdocs ranged from 68% in biological and biomedical sciences to 80% in psychology.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Lichtenstein graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
—Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
Haddon lectures in psychology at City, University of London, and also runs a retreat in England, two to four times a year, called the Heartbreak Hotel.
—Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Psychology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychology
noun
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
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