-ology, -logy, -ologist, -logist
The word -ology is a back-formation from the names of certain disciplines. The -logy element basically means "the study of ____". Such words are formed from Greek or Latin roots with the terminal -logy derived from the Greek suffix -λογια (-logia), speaking, from λεγειν (legein), "to speak".
The suffix -ology is considered to be misleading sometimes as when the "o" is actually part of the word stem that receives the -logy ending; such as, bio + logy.
Through the years -ology and -logy have come to mean, "study of" or "science of" and either of these suffixes often utilize the form of -ologist, "one who (whatever the preceding element refers to)".
The examples shown in this unit represent just a small fraction of the many words that exist in various dictionaries.
pseudoanthropology
(s) (noun),pseudoanthropologies
(pl)
False interpretations and/or presentations of the interrelations of biological, cultural, geographical, and historical aspects of humankind.
pseudo-archaeology, pseudoarchaeology, pseudoarcheology
(s) (noun) (no pl)
The use of selective archeological evidence, real or imagined, to promulgate nonscientific, fictional accounts of the past: The methods used by
pseudoarchaeology include exaggeration of evidence, romanticised conclusions, the employment of fallacy,
and fictionalised evidence.
Other known terms for pseudoarchaeology are alternative archaeology, fantastic archaeology, and spooky archaeology.
pseudochronology
(s) (noun), pseudochronologies
(pl)
Inaccuracy in placing incorrect times for events or occurrences: James had a very bad memory and was known to be an expert in pseudochronology by getting the ages of his children all mixed up, and thinking that his wife was much younger than she really was!
psilology
Mere noise or empty talk.
psychiatrist, psychologist, psychometrician, psychotherapist
psychiatrist (si KIGH uh trist, sigh KIGH uh trist) (
noun)
A medical doctor who specializes in the study of mental and emotional issues or problems: It takes many years of advanced medical studies to become a psychiatrist.
psychologist (sigh KAHL uh jist) (
noun)
A person who has studied the mental and behavioral characteristics of individuals, but who does not have a medical degree: As a psychologist, Jerry's sister works in schools where there are children who have emotional problems.
psychometrician (sigh kahm" i TRISH uhn) (
noun)
1. An individual who has been trained to understand how the mind influences the behavior of people and who has studied and been trained to understand the way the brain influences the behaviour of individuals who may have mental and emotional problems: The psychometrician was very good with young children and gained their cooperation during the testing procedures.
2. A person who has been educated to understand how the mind influences the behaviour of people and who deals with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative tests of intelligence, aptitude, and personality traits: Tracy had a psychometrician who provided an evaluation of her son who was having problems adapting to relationships with other people.
psychotherapist (sigh" koh THER uh pist) (
noun)
Someone who treats people with mental and emotional disorders: The psychotherapist who worked with Dennis provided healing procedures that helped him to achieve more self-control over his excessive reactions of anger.
Myrna was concerned about the well-being of her friend; so, she urged Henry to get a referral from his psychiatrist to see a psychometrician who was also a well-known psychologist.
The psychometrician administered several tests the interpretations of which were intended to help her friend understand his psychological problems.
At the end of the assessment period, the psychologist recommended that Henry meet regularly with a psychotherapist.
psychobiology
1. The study of psychology from a biological point of view (including the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the mind) emphasizing the adaptive or functional aspects of behavior that enable the organism to meet survival challenges that are posed by the environment; synonym: biopsychology.
2. A method of psychoanalysis employing distributive analysis, that includes a study of all mental and physical factors involved in an individual's growth and development.
3. Objective psychobiology involves a special emphasis on the various relationships of the individual to his or her environment.
4. The branch of biology dealing with the relations or interactions between body and behavior, especially as exhibited in the nervous system, receptors, effectors, or the like.
5. The study of the interrelationships of biology and psychology in cognitive functioning, including intellectual, memory, and related neurocognitive processes.
psychoendocrinology
The study of the relationship of the endocrine system to psychiatric disorders, in particular the system's potential as a site of manifestation of biochemical abnormalities that have been implicated as predisposing factors to mental illness, as in thyrotoxiocosis (hyperthyroidism condition) or the Cushing syndrome (syndrome resulting from hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex that results in glucocorticoids).
psychologist
1. Someone who is trained in methods of psychological analysis, therapy, and research.
2. A specialist in psychology licensed to practice professional psychology (e.g., clinical psychologist), or qualified to teach psychology as a scholarly discipline (academic psychologist), or whose scientific specialty is a subfield of psychology (research psychologist).
psychology
The science dealing with mental processes, both normal and abnormal, and their effects upon behavior.
There are two main approaches to the study: introspective, looking inward or self-examination of one's own mental processes; and objective studying of the minds of others.
psychoneuroimmunology
The study of the relationships that exist among the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system.
psychonosology
The classification of mental illnesses and behavioral disorders.
psycho-oncology
The psychological aspects of the treatment and management of a patient with cancer; it combines elements of psychiatry, psychology, and medicine with special concern for the psychosocial needs of the patient and his/her family.
psychopathologist
(s) (noun), psychopathologists
(pl)
Someone who specializes in mental and behavioural disorders: Mr. Smart, Mary's father, was a psychopathologist who studied and did research of the origins, the processes of development, and the identification of mental disorders, including possible cures and treatments.
