Psychological: meaning, definitions and examples

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psychological

 

[ ˌsaɪkəˈlɑdʒɪkəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mental health

relating to the mental and emotional state of a person

Synonyms

emotional, mental.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
psychological

Identical to the first entry; use the previous context and examples.

mental

Refers to the state of the mind, often in contexts related to mental health or intellectual processes.

  • Mental health is just as important as physical health.
  • He went through mental exercises to strengthen his memory.
emotional

Used when referring to feelings and moods, especially in personal or subjective situations.

  • He had an emotional reaction to the movie.
  • She found it hard to control her emotional outbursts during the argument.

Examples of usage

  • psychological well-being
  • psychological assessment
Context #2 | Adjective

therapy

related to the treatment of mental and emotional disorders

Synonyms

mental health, psychiatric.

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Word Description / Examples
psychological

This word is used when referring to anything related to the mind or emotions, especially in terms of understanding or therapy. It's often used in academic, clinical, or self-help contexts.

  • She sought psychological support after experiencing trauma.
  • The psychological effects of the pandemic are becoming more evident.
psychiatric

This adjective is often used in a medical context, specifically related to the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and disorders. It is commonly associated with clinical settings and can sometimes carry a more formal or serious connotation.

  • He was admitted to the psychiatric ward for treatment.
  • The doctor prescribed psychiatric medication to manage her symptoms.
mental health

This term is used to describe the overall state of someone's mental and emotional well-being. It is commonly discussed in medical, social, and workplace contexts, without necessarily implying a disorder.

  • Regular exercise can improve your mental health.
  • Mental health awareness is essential for reducing stigma.

Examples of usage

  • psychological counseling
  • psychological intervention
Context #3 | Adjective

research

pertaining to the study of behavior and mind

Synonyms

behavioral, cognitive.

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Word Description / Examples
psychological

See above. This term is general and can be used broadly to discuss anything related to mental states or functions.

  • See above
behavioral

Pertains to the way people or animals act and react in different situations. Often used in psychology and behavioral science.

  • The child's behavioral problems were addressed through a series of structured activities
  • Behavioral therapy is effective for treating certain conditions
cognitive

Relates to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension, such as thinking, knowing, remembering, and problem-solving. Common in educational and psychological contexts.

  • The cognitive development of children is crucial during the early years
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing negative thought patterns

Examples of usage

  • psychological experiment
  • psychological research

Translations

Translations of the word "psychological" in other languages:

🇵🇹 psicológico

🇮🇳 मनोवैज्ञानिक

🇩🇪 psychologisch

🇮🇩 psikologis

🇺🇦 психологічний

🇵🇱 psychologiczny

🇯🇵 心理的な

🇫🇷 psychologique

🇪🇸 psicológico

🇹🇷 psikolojik

🇰🇷 심리학적인

🇸🇦 نَفْسِيّ

🇨🇿 psychologický

🇸🇰 psychologický

🇨🇳 心理的

🇸🇮 psihološki

🇮🇸 sálfræðilegur

🇰🇿 психологиялық

🇬🇪 ფსიქოლოგიური

🇦🇿 psixoloji

🇲🇽 psicológico

Etymology

The word 'psychological' originates from the Greek word 'psykhikos' meaning 'of the soul' or 'mental'. It first appeared in English in the mid-17th century. Throughout history, the field of psychology has evolved, leading to the development of various psychological theories and therapies aimed at understanding and treating mental processes and behaviors.

See also: parapsychology, psychologist.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,804, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.