Glossary of psychological terms and definitions of terminology related to the science of psychology.

The glossary contains an A to Z listing of psychological terms with definitions and examples. Learn more about psychology one word and a time. Find both brief and extended definitions of a wide variety of psychological topics.

Terms included in the psychology dictionary cover every subject and sub-field of psychology, from research methods to child development. New terms are added regularly.

Psychology

The science of mind and behaviour. A professional practitioner, a teacher, an academic or a researcher in this scientific discipline can be called a psychologist. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in both individuals and groups, while also exploring the physiological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain functions and behaviours.

Psychologists explore such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology motivation, brain functioning, personality, behaviour, and relationships. Psychology incorporates methodological and theoretical approaches from the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities.

Psychological knowledge is applied to understanding and solving problems in many different spheres of human activity, including the assessment and treatment of mental health problems. Psychologists are involved in a wide variety of settings from clinical, counselling, and education; to university psychology departments (undertaking scientific research on a wide range of topics related to mental processes and social behaviour and/or teaching such knowledge to students); to industrial and organizational settings, and in other areas such as human development and aging, sports, health, the media, law, and forensics.