Y07W39VC Word Roots — -psych- (mind / soul)

The scientific study of the human mind and behaviour, including how people think, feel, and act.

Word Breakdown: -ology (suffix meaning ‘the study of’)

Example: Researchers in psychology have found strong links between sleep quality and academic performance in young people.

Synonyms: study of the mind, mental science, behavioural science

Collocations: study psychology, applied psychology, developmental psychology

A person who studies or practises psychology, often helping people understand and manage their mental health.

Example: The school psychologist met with students regularly to help them develop strategies for managing exam stress.

Synonyms: therapist, mental health professional, behavioural scientist

Collocations: consult a psychologist, school psychologist, clinical psychologist

The human mind, soul, or spirit, especially as it affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

Example: Great literature often explores the psyche of its characters, revealing hidden fears and desires.

Synonyms: mind, consciousness, inner self

Collocations: the human psyche, affect the psyche, the collective psyche

To express doubt about or challenge the validity of something, or an inquiry seeking information.

Word family: questionable (adj.), questioner (n.)

Example: The panel was invited to question whether the findings could be generalised beyond the original study group.

Synonyms: challenge, dispute, query

Collocations: question the evidence, question a claim, open to question

To dispute or call into question a claim, idea, or position, or a difficult task that tests ability.

Word family: challenging (adj.)

Example: The researcher challenged the validity of the original experiment, pointing to several flaws in the methodology.

Synonyms: dispute, contest, question

Collocations: challenge the view, challenge assumptions, present a challenge

A detailed and analytical evaluation of something, identifying both strengths and weaknesses.

Word Breakdown: -ique (suffix of French origin used to form nouns and verbs related to analysis or technique)

Word family: critical (adj.), critically (adv.)

Example: Students were asked to write a short critique of the article, identifying the key assumptions it made.

Synonyms: evaluate, analyse, assess

Collocations: write a critique, critique the argument, offer a critique

To question the truth or validity of something, or a disagreement between two or more parties.

Word family: disputed (adj.), disputant (n.)

Example: Several scientists disputed the findings, arguing that the sample size had been too small to draw reliable conclusions.

Synonyms: contest, challenge, debate

Collocations: dispute a claim, settle a dispute, under dispute

To question someone or something closely and in detail, often in a formal or critical way.

Word Breakdown: -ate (suffix forming verbs meaning ‘to perform a process’ or ‘to act on’)

Word family: interrogation (n.), interrogator (n.)

Example: A skilled critical thinker will interrogate the assumptions behind any argument before accepting its conclusion.

Synonyms: question closely, examine, cross-examine

Collocations: interrogate the data, interrogate assumptions, interrogate the text

Used to introduce an idea or finding that challenges or casts doubt on a previously held view.

Example: The new data presents a different pattern; this questions the reliability of the earlier model used to predict outcomes.

Synonyms: this challenges, this disputes, this undermines

Collocations: this questions the assumption that, this questions the validity of, this directly questions