What does psychological mean?
Psychological means relating to the mind, emotions, beliefs, and patterns of thought. It is used when describing mental processes or the effects that circumstances can have on a person's thoughts and feelings. A psychological cause is not necessarily imaginary: fear, grief, anxiety, and trauma can produce genuine psychological effects even when they leave no visible physical mark. The term is also used in specialist contexts, including psychology, psychiatric care, and research into behaviour and cognition. In everyday usage, “psychological” often emphasizes a person’s internal experience, especially when contrasted with a physical or material cause. Because it can refer both to the academic study of the mind and to mental or emotional effects in ordinary life, it is more precise than vague terms such as “mental” when a formal description is required.
adjectiveRelating to the mind, emotions, and conscious or unconscious mental processes. In common use, it describes a situation, effect, or concern that is psychological rather than physical or material.
- Relating to psychology or to the mind and its processes.
- Existing or occurring in the mind rather than in the body.
- Relating to the emotional or mental effects of an event, situation, or experience.
"The clinic provides psychological support to patients recovering from serious injuries."
"Years of uncertainty had a serious psychological effect on the players."
"The report examines the psychological pressures faced by emergency workers."
A feeling can leave no bruise, yet its psychological impact may be profound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychological come from?
The word was formed in the early 19th century from the combining form psych-, derived from Greek psychē, meaning “mind” or “soul,” together with the suffix -ological, associated with the study of a subject. Its development followed the establishment of psychology as a formal academic discipline. Related English words including psyche, psychic, psychiatry, and psychology share the same Greek foundation.
Related word forms
How psychological is actually used
The adjective is widely used in formal and general contexts. In phrases such as psychological effect, it often means mental or emotional rather than relating to academic psychology.
Easily confused with psychological
A physiological effect concerns bodily functions and physical systems, whereas a psychological effect concerns the mind, emotions, or behaviour.
Psychic most commonly describes powers or perceptions beyond the senses, while psychological generally means connected with the mind and its processes.