rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypsychologyStudy of mind and behavior
noun

psychology

sigh-KAH-luh-jee/saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

The study of mental processes and behavior.

A psychology researcher watches a volunteer perform a memory task.

Research psychologist observes volunteer performing a simple memory task, stopwatch and anonymous data chart.
Etymology
psychoGreekmind, soul
+logyGreekstudy, discourse

The combination of “soul” and “study” originally named the study of the soul. Its focus shifted to the phenomena of the mind and then to the modern scientific study of mind and behavior.

In context

Professor Dave Explains0:32
The field of social psychology encompasses all of these questions and more. At its core, social psychology attempts to understand how a person’s behavior is influenced by the social context where it takes place.
Social Psychology Part 1: The Power of Situation and Framing

More examples

  • She studies psychology to understand how people learn.
  • Child psychology explores how thinking and behavior develop.
  • Our psychology class discusses the effects of stress on memory.

Forms

psychology

psychologist noun — A specialist in mental processes and behavior.

psychological adjective — Relating to the mind or to psychology.

Similar words

behavioral science
Studies behavior across several disciplines, not just psychology.