psychodynamics

(sī′kō dī namiks)

noun

the study of the mental and emotional processes underlying human behavior and its motivation, esp. as developed unconsciously in response to environmental influences

Related Forms:

See psychodynamics in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) The interaction of various conscious and unconscious mental or emotional processes, especially as they influence personality, behavior, and attitudes.
  2. (used with a sing. verb) The study of personality and behavior in terms of such processes.

Related Forms:

  • psyˌcho·dy·namˈic adjective
  • psyˌcho·dy·namˈi·cal·ly adverb

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