psychogenesis

American  

[sahy-kuh-jen-uh-sis] / ˌsaɪ kəˈdʒɛn ə sɪs /

noun

1. genesis of the psyche.

2. Psychology. the origin of physical or psychological states, normal or abnormal, out of the interplay of conscious and unconscious psychological forces.

3. Pathology. the origin of symptoms as a result of emotional causes.

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psychogenesis British  

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs, ˌsaɪkəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk /

noun

1. psychol the study of the origin and development of personality, human behaviour, and mental processes

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• psychogenetically
  adverb
• psychogenetic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of psychogenesis

From New Latin, dating back to 1830–40; see origin at psycho-, -genesis

Example Sentences

But however naive or sophisticated a reaction it may be, its psychogenesis is perfectly intelligible, U and its existence is no proof of the supernal nature of the goodness of "good will."

From Problems of Conduct by Drake, Durant

In a recent work on the subject of psychogenesis he upholds his former views, and believes he has been able to separate his cases into three distinct groups.

From Studies in Forensic Psychiatry by Glueck, Bernard

Once or twice he spoke of "psychogenesis" with an emphatic enunciation which seemed to invite respectful wonder.

From Mushrooms on the Moor by Boreham, Frank

The author emphasizes the motor elements in mental evolution, and thus introduces into psychogenesis a point of view which is eminently characteristic of modern psychology….

From The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought Studies of the Activities and Influences of the Child Among Primitive Peoples, Their Analogues and Survivals in the Civilization of To-Day by Chamberlain, Alexander F.

Human psychogenesis takes place in the communal stage of his life.

From Evolution Of The Japanese, Social And Psychic by Gulick, Sidney Lewis