What does psychosexual mean?
Psychosexual is an adjective describing the relationship between mental and emotional processes and sexuality. It can refer to desires, attitudes, experiences, relationships, or patterns of sexual behaviour, especially when these are understood in psychological terms. The word is commonly used in discussions of development, therapy, orientation, identity, literature, and health. Unlike the general word sexual, psychosexual emphasizes the inner psychological dimension of sexual experience, including emotions and attachment. It is not inherently a medical or moral label, although its terminology can sound formal and may be used in clinical or academic contexts. The related noun psychosexuality describes a psychosexual orientation, condition, or aspect of experience, while psychosexually is the corresponding adverb.
adjectiveRelating to the psychological and emotional aspects of sexuality, including desires, attitudes, relationships, and behaviour.
- Relating to the psychological and emotional aspects of sexuality or sexual behaviour.
"The therapy helped the couple understand the psychosexual patterns that shaped their relationship."
"Research into psychosexual development examines how early experiences influence later attitudes toward relationships and intimacy."
"The novel explores the character's psychosexual conflicts through memories, fantasies, and shifting desires."
Psychosexual looks past the mechanics of sex to the emotions, desires, and relationships that give sexuality its meaning.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychosexual come from?
The word combines the combining form psycho-, associated with the mind, and sexual, relating to sex or sexuality. Its development followed the growth of psychological and sexological vocabulary in the modern period. Both elements ultimately draw on Greek roots: psychē refers to the soul or mind, while sexual is derived from Latin sexualis, relating to sex.
Related word forms
How psychosexual is actually used
The term is used in psychology, sexology, literary analysis, and cultural criticism. It can sound clinical or academic, and its use does not necessarily imply that a sexual issue is pathological.
Easily confused with psychosexual
Psychological means relating to the mind and emotions in general, whereas psychosexual specifically concerns the connection between psychological processes and sexuality.