Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior, while psychological is an adjective describing something related to or affecting the mind.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Psychology (noun): Refers to the discipline, field of study, or the theoretical knowledge about mental processes and behavior.
- Example: "She is majoring in psychology."
- Example: "Research in psychology has advanced our understanding of mental illness."
- As the reference states, it is often taught as a general discipline, though psychological science emphasizes the scientific aspects of the field.
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Psychological (adjective): Describes something that pertains to, arises from, or affects the mind or mental processes.
- Example: "He suffered psychological trauma after the accident."
- Example: "The movie had a psychological impact on the audience."
- Example: "The test assesses psychological well-being."
In essence, "psychology" is the subject itself, while "psychological" is a descriptor. You study psychology, and something can be psychological in nature. The core difference is that one is a field of study and the other is a descriptive adjective.
