psychology

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gy sī-ˈkä-lə-jē 

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

Did you know?

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

Her research focuses on issues in moral psychology, such as the role of evolution and culture in our moral values. —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

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing psychology

• abnormal psychology
• analytical psychology
• analytic psychology
• clinical psychology
• depth psychology
• educational psychology
• evolutionary psychology
• Gestalt psychology
• industrial psychology
• physiological psychology
• reverse psychology
• social psychology

Kids Definition

psychology

noun

psy·​chol·​o·​gy sī-ˈkäl-ə-jē 

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 

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