# psychological

/ˌsaɪkəˈɫɑdʒɪkəɫ/ (US) · /saɪkəlˈɒdʒɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/psychological
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. mental and emotional

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to your mind and your feelings rather than your body.

For teachers: relating to the mental and emotional state of a person, often contrasted with physical or physiological factors.

- The long journey caused both physical tiredness and psychological stress.
- The therapist focused on the psychological impact of the accident, helping the patient process the trauma that physical medicine could not reach.

### 2. academic study

adjective · CEFR B2 · Academic

relating to the scientific study of the mind and how it works.

For teachers: pertaining to the academic or professional discipline of psychology.

- She is reading a psychological report about how children learn to speak.
- The university's psychological department is conducting a longitudinal study on the effects of social media on adolescent self-esteem.

### 3. mental tactics

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

intended to influence how someone thinks or feels, often to gain an advantage.

For teachers: designed to influence the mental or emotional state of others, often for strategic or competitive purposes.

- The team used psychological tricks to make their opponents feel nervous.
- The negotiator employed various psychological tactics to lower the other party's defenses before making the final offer.

## Examples

- The long journey caused a lot of psychological stress.
- Doctors believe that his physical symptoms are actually caused by deep psychological issues related to his childhood.
- The novel explores the psychological impact of isolation, showing how the protagonist's perception of reality slowly shifts as the months pass without human contact.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.