Psychology Vocabulary

noun a group of similar things or people positioned or occurring closely together

verb to come together in a small group or bunch

• The data points were grouped into a cluster based on their similarities.
• All the shops in this area are clustered together for easy access.
• Let's hang out at that new cluster of food trucks downtown.
• The cluster of stars in the night sky looked like a sparkling diamond necklace.

noun a representation or outline

• The delineation of the property boundaries was clearly marked on the survey map.
• The delineation between work hours and personal time can be challenging for remote workers.
• I'm not sure about the delineation between what's cool and what's not in this new social group.
• The artist's use of light and shadow created a beautiful delineation between the two figures in the painting.

noun an extreme or irrational fear of water, often a symptom of rabies

• Hydrophobia is a medical condition characterized by an irrational fear of water.
• My friend has hydrophobia, so she avoids swimming pools and beaches.
• I heard she has a serious case of hydrophobia, she won't even take a shower.
• His hydrophobia towards commitment is preventing him from entering into a serious relationship.

noun a sound or letter of the alphabet not in harmony with other sounds or letters.

adjective not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something; not consonant.

• The data presented in the report is inconsonant with the findings of previous studies.
• Her explanation was inconsonant with the facts of the case.
• His excuse for being late was totally inconsonant with reality.
• The colors in the painting seemed inconsonant at first, but upon closer inspection, they created a harmonious blend.

noun the ability to move or be moved by a force

• The study of kinesis involves the analysis of movement in living organisms.
• I find it fascinating how kinesis plays a role in the behavior of animals.
• Have you seen the kinesis of that dancer? It's mind-blowing!
• The political landscape is constantly in a state of kinesis, with shifting alliances and power dynamics.

noun a person skilled in imitating the voice, mannerisms, or movements of others

verb to imitate or copy someone or something, typically in order to entertain or ridicule

• The robot was programmed to mimic human movements with great precision.
• She can mimic anyone's accent perfectly, it's quite impressive.
• He's always trying to mimic the way his favorite rapper talks.
• Her art piece was designed to mimic the chaos of urban life.

verb to provoke or annoy someone by persistent criticism or questioning

• The tailor needled the fabric with precision to create intricate patterns.
• I accidentally needled my finger while sewing, it really hurt!
• Stop needling me about my grades, I'm trying my best.
• Her words needled me, making me feel guilty for not attending the event.

adjective Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns or pronouns. In this case, 'odd' is an adjective that describes something as unusual or different from what is expected.

• It was an odd coincidence that they both wore the same outfit to the party.
• Isn't it odd that we both had the same idea at the same time?
• That guy is so odd, he always wears mismatched socks.
• Her behavior was so odd, it was like she was from another planet.

noun an anatomical structure found in some animals

• The doctor explained the importance of regular check-ups for prostate health, including examining the penis.
• I can't believe he drew a smiley face on his penis with a Sharpie.
• He got kicked in the nuts and now his penis is all swollen.
• His ego is so big, he might as well be walking around with a golden penis.

noun a space completely filled with matter, especially air

• The plenum was convened to discuss the new company policies.
• Let's meet in the plenum room for a quick chat.
• I'll catch you in the plenum for some gossip.
• The plenum of ideas in her mind was overflowing with creativity.

noun a building or institution where people are legally held as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial

• The criminal was sentenced to ten years in prison for his actions.
• I heard that Jake's brother is in prison for theft.
• She's been locked up in the slammer for a month now.
• Being stuck in a toxic relationship can feel like being in an emotional prison.

verb to educate or teach someone again, typically in a different way or with different information

• It is important to reeducate individuals who have outdated beliefs.
• We need to teach them again with new information.
• We gotta school them on the latest facts.
• Let's help them unlearn and relearn for a better understanding.

noun a saltatory movement or dance

adjective relating to or characterized by jumping or dancing

• The saltatory movement of the kangaroo is a fascinating example of adaptation in the animal kingdom.
• I love watching kangaroos hop around in a saltatory manner - they're so cute!
• Check out that kangaroo's saltatory moves, it's like it's dancing!
• Her thoughts jumped from one idea to the next in a saltatory fashion, making it hard to follow her train of thought.

noun a person who is taken in, such as a guest or lodger

verb to allow someone to stay in one's home or lodging

• The art gallery allows visitors to take in the beautiful paintings at their own pace.
• Let's find a good spot to sit and take in the view of the sunset.
• I can't believe I got to take in that awesome concert last night!
• It takes time to fully take in the magnitude of such a tragic event.

noun a word or phrase derived from a verb and used as an adjective, such as swimming in a swimming pool

adjective relating to or consisting of words

• The verbal agreement between the two parties was legally binding.
• She always prefers verbal communication over written messages.
• I can't believe he just dropped that verbal bomb on us.
• Her verbal skills were like a sharp sword in the debate.

noun a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body.

• The dendrites of a neuron receive signals from other neurons.
• The dendrites are like the arms of a neuron, reaching out to grab information.
• I like to think of dendrites as the 'grabby bits' of a neuron.
• Just like branches reaching out to connect with others, dendrites reach out to make connections in the brain.

adjective relating to the development and growth of an individual organism from conception to maturity

• The study focused on the ontogenetic development of the species from birth to maturity.
• We learned about the ontogenetic growth stages of the butterfly in biology class.
• I never knew about the ontogenetic changes that happen in plants as they grow.
• The artist used the concept of ontogenetic evolution as inspiration for her latest series of paintings.

noun a prefix added to the name of a subject to indicate a higher level of abstraction

adjective relating to or denoting a higher level of abstraction

• The researcher conducted a meta-analysis of all the available data.
• I read this meta article that explained everything in detail.
• I'm so over all this meta stuff, can we talk about something else?
• Her painting was a meta representation of her inner struggles.

noun the quality of being keenly perceptive or discerning

• The doctor tested the patient's visual acuities to determine if they needed glasses.
• I had to get my acuities checked at the eye doctor today.
• My acuities are so bad, I can barely see anything without my glasses.
• Her acuities in problem-solving are unmatched in the department.