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psychogenesis

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /ˌsaɪ.kəʊˈdʒɛn.ɪ.sɪs/

KK: /saɪˈkoʊdʒɛnɪsɪs/

noun
Definition

The process by which psychological factors lead to the development of mental disorders or behaviors, rather than physical causes.


Example

The therapist explained the concept of psychogenesis to help the patient understand the roots of their anxiety.


Conversation
Sloth A
I read an interesting article about psychogenesis and how it relates to mental health.
Sloth B
Oh really? I've never heard that term before, what does it mean?
Sloth A
It refers to how some illnesses can develop from psychological factors instead of just physical ones.
Sloth B
That makes sense! It’s fascinating how our minds can affect our bodies.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
psychology
mentalism
psychopathology
Antonyms
physiogenesis
biogenesis
somatic
Root Explanation

Psychogenesis → It is formed from "psyche" (from Greek "ψυχή", meaning soul or mind) and "genesis" (from Greek "γένεσις", meaning origin or creation). The word refers to the origin or development of mental processes or psychological phenomena.

Memory Tip

Think of 'psyche' meaning mind and 'genesis' meaning origin — this helps you remember that psychogenesis refers to the origin of mental processes.

Visually Confused Words
pythogenesis
pyogenesis
schizogenesis
pyrogenesis
syphilogenesis
symphyogenesis
sociogenesis
phytogenesis
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