Words / B2

sy-KOL-uh-jee/saɪˈkɒlədʒi/

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour: cognitive psychology; a psychology practical. Psychologist is the person; psychiatry is medical treatment of mental illness. The psychology practical needs observable measures. Mix-up: physiology; psychiatry. Do not write psychology for “common sense” or a horoscope.

Meaning

The scientific study of the mind and behaviour.

Examples

• “The psychology practical needs observable measures, not guessed motives.”
• “Social psychology featured in the crowding study, which is the field sense.”

Good to know

cognitive / social / developmental psychology; a psychology paper. Person: psychologist. Trap: psychiatry / horoscope. Sciences and methods. The academic subject, not folk wisdom.

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