Origin: Greek suffix -ology
Psychology has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
the science of mental life
"Her research in psychology focuses on how early childhood experiences shape adult decision-making patterns."
The study of the human mind.
"Many students choose to major in psychology because they are fascinated by how the human mind works."
In plain English: Psychology is the study of how people think, feel, and act.
"The course taught us how psychology explains why people make certain choices."
Usage: Psychology refers to the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. Use this term when discussing the academic field or the systematic analysis of mental processes rather than colloquial descriptions of someone's mood or thoughts.
Psychology entered English from French and Renaissance Latin, where it was formed by combining the Ancient Greek word for "soul" with a suffix meaning "study of." While some scholars believe Croatian humanist Marko Marulić may have coined the term in a lost treatise, this origin remains disputed.