Psychologicals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Relating to the mental processes and emotional states of individuals, particularly in reference to behavior and thoughts
2. Describing aspects that involve the mind and its effects on feelings, actions, and well-being
3. Pertaining to the science of understanding mental functions, including cognition, perception, and emotions of humans

Etymology: The noun form in question derives from the adjective "psychological," which traces back to the Greek roots "psyche," meaning "soul" or "mind," and "logos," meaning "study" or "discourse." The term "psychology" itself emerged in the late 16th century, initially used to describe the study of the soul or mind in a philosophical sense rather than as a formal scientific discipline. By the 19th century, psychology had become established as a distinct scientific field concerned with mental processes and behavior. The adjective "psychological" followed naturally to describe anything pertaining to this field, encompassing mental states, emotional conditions, and cognitive functions. The plural noun form in question, while not commonly used in everyday language, can be understood as referring to multiple instances or aspects of psychological phenomena, treatments, or assessments. It is formed by adding the English plural suffix "-s" to the adjective, a process typical for creating nouns from adjectives when denoting categories or collective concepts. Overall, the word's evolution reflects the broader trend in English of adapting scientific and academic terms into flexible parts of speech, allowing speakers and writers to discuss complex ideas with precision and nuance.

Synonyms: psychological studies, psychological tests