psychology
An expert in psychology
The study of the mind and how it affects behaviour
An expert in psychology
Oxford Essential Dictionary
psychology
noun (no plural)
the study of the mind and how it works
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
psychology
psy‧chol‧o‧gy W3 AC /saɪˈkɒlədʒi $ -ˈkɑː-/ noun (plural psychologies)
[Word Family: noun: psychology, psychologist; adverb: psychologically; adjective: psychological]
1. [uncountable] the study of the mind and how it influences people’s behaviour
educational/social etc psychology
• experts in the field of developmental psychology
2. [uncountable] the mental processes involved in believing in something or doing a certain activity
psychology of
• research into the psychology of racism
3. [uncountable and countable] what someone thinks or believes, and how this affects what they do:
• the psychology of three-year-olds
• mob psychology
• You have to use psychology to get people to stop smoking.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
psychology
psych·ology AW [psychology psychologies] [saɪˈkɒlədʒi] [saɪˈkɑːlədʒi] noun
1. uncountable the scientific study of the mind and how it influences behaviour
• social/educational/child psychology
compare pop psychology
2. singular the kind of mind that sb has that makes them think or behave in a particular way
• the psychology of small boys
3. singular how the mind influences behaviour in a particular area of life
• the psychology of interpersonal relationships
Word Origin:
late 17th cent.: from modern Latin psychologia (see psycho-, -logy).
Example Bank:
• The answers we give will reflect our own psychology.
• Watching the shoppers at the sales gave her a first-hand insight into crowd psychology.
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
psychology
psychology /saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/ US /-ˈkɑː.lə-/
noun [U]
the scientific study of the way the human mind works and how it influences behaviour, or the influence of a particular person's character on their behaviour:
She studied psychology at Harvard.
a lecturer in psychology
child psychology
the psychology of the soldier
Compare psychiatry.
psychological /ˌsaɪ.kəlˈɒdʒ.ɪ.kəl/ US /-kəˈlɑː.dʒɪ-/
adjective
1 relating to the human mind and feelings:
psychological problems
He claims that the constant aircraft noise has a bad psychological effect on the residents.
We are concerned with the physical and psychological well-being of our employees.
2 (of an illness or other physical problem) caused by anxiety or sadness:
I suspect his headaches are purely psychological.
3 [before noun] describes a film or book in which there is a lot of attention given to the way people influence each other's behaviour:
a psychological thriller
psychologically /ˌsaɪ.kəlˈɒdʒ.ɪ.kli/ US /-kəˈlɑː.dʒɪ-/
adverb
psychologically disturbed
psychologist /saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒɪst/ US /-ˈ
noun [C]
someone who studies the human mind and human emotions and behaviour, and how different situations have an effect on them:
a child psychologist
an educational psychologist
She spent 15 years as a clinical psychologist with the Northumberland Health Authority.
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
psychology
[saɪkɒ̱ləʤi]
1) N-UNCOUNT Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and the reasons for people's behaviour.
...Professor of Psychology at Bedford College.
2) N-UNCOUNT: usu N of n The psychology of a person is the kind of mind that they have, which makes them think or behave in the way that they do.
...a fascination with the psychology of murderers.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
psychology
psy·chol·o·gy /saɪˈkɑːləʤi/ noun, pl -gies
1 [noncount] : the science or study of the mind and behavior
• She studied psychology in college.
2 : the way a person or group thinks
[noncount]
• the psychology of an athlete
• mob psychology
• the psychology of crowd behavior
[count]
• We need to understand the psychologies of the two people involved in the incident.
- see also reverse psychology
