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Phrenology: meaning, definitions and examples

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phrenology

 

[ frəˈnɒlədʒi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

scientific study

Phrenology is the study of the shape and size of the skull as a supposed indicator of character and mental abilities. This pseudo-scientific theory was popular in the 19th century, where it was believed that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that different regions of the brain correspond to different personality traits. Proponents would examine the bumps and indentations on a person's skull to draw conclusions about their psychological attributes. Although it has been discredited by modern science, phrenology played a significant role in the early exploration of brain function and psychology.

Synonyms

head reading, mind reading, skull analysis

Examples of usage

  • He studied phrenology to determine personality traits.
  • Phrenology was once considered a legitimate science.
  • Many people were fascinated by the predictions made through phrenology.
  • Critics argued against the validity of phrenology.

Translations

Translations of the word "phrenology" in other languages:

🇵🇹 frenologia

🇮🇳 फ्रेनोलॉजी

🇩🇪 Phrenologie

🇮🇩 frenologi

🇺🇦 френологія

🇵🇱 frenologia

🇯🇵 顔相学

🇫🇷 phrénologie

🇪🇸 frenología

🇹🇷 frenoloji

🇰🇷 골상학

🇸🇦 علم تحديد الشخصية من خلال شكل الجمجمة

🇨🇿 frenologie

🇸🇰 frenológia

🇨🇳 脑相学

🇸🇮 frenologija

🇮🇸 frenólogía

🇰🇿 френология

🇬🇪 ფრენოლოგია

🇦🇿 frenologiya

🇲🇽 frenología

Etymology

The term 'phrenology' originates from the Greek words 'phren', meaning 'mind', and 'logos', meaning 'study of'. It was first popularized in the late 18th century by the German physician Franz Joseph Gall, who proposed that the brain is the organ of the mind and that different regions correspond to different faculties of moral and intellectual life. Gall's ideas were further developed by his followers, leading to a systematic approach to analyzing the skull's shape, which became known as phrenology. During the 19th century, phrenology gained immense popularity, particularly in Europe and America, often being used to assess criminal behavior or to justify social hierarchies. However, by the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it came under heavy criticism from scientists and psychologists, leading to its eventual decline as a credible field of study. Today, phrenology is considered a pseudoscience, but its historical significance remains as it opened avenues for the study of human psychology and neuroanatomy.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,363 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.