pop psychologist
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a word derived from
pop psych.
pop psychnounpsychological or pseudopsychological counseling, interpretations, concepts, terminology, etc., often simplistic or superficial, popularized by certain personalities, magazine articles, television shows, advice columns, or the like, that influence the general public.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A pop psychologist would say witnessing his dad’s infidelity triggered Isaac’s fear of commitment.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2025
Which I guess he would've thought, not consciously, but playing pop psychologist, he would've thought would fill the hole inside of him, make him feel like maybe he was lovable.
From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2023
One of his experiments involved a pop psychologist, Scott Barry Kaufman.
From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2020
This doesn’t sound like a bad idea, until you learn that school districts are basing their training on the gender musings of Michael Gurian, a pop psychologist who lacks any training in neuroscience or education.
From Slate ● Dec. 4, 2014
Like Gail Sheehy, who has learned some fast footwork and slick maneuvers during her career as a New Journalist and pop psychologist.
From Time Magazine Archive
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