psychology (psych) /sīkol″əjē/ [Gk, psyche + logos, science] , 1. the study of behavior and of the functions and processes of the mind, especially as related to the social and physical environment. 2. a profession that involves the practical applications of knowledge, skills, and techniques in the understanding of, prevention of, or solution to individual or social problems, especially in regard to the interaction between the individual and the physical and social environment. 3. the mental, motivational, and behavioral characteristics and attitudes of an individual or group of individuals. Kinds include analytic psychology, animal psychology, behaviorism, clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, humanistic psychology, phenomenology, social psychology. −psychological, psychologic, adj.
