psychobabble
[sahy-koh-bab-uh l]
noun
1. writing or talk using jargon from psychiatry or psychotherapy without particular accuracy or relevance.
dictionary.com
dictionary.com
Psychobabble (a portmanteau of " psychology" or " psychoanalysis" and " babble") is a form of speech or writing that uses psychological jargon, buzzwords, and esoteric language to create an impression of truth or plausibility.
en.wikipedia.org
Definition of psychobabble
1 : a predominantly metaphorical language for expressing one's feelings
2 a : psychological jargon
b : trite or simplistic language derived from psychotherapy
merriam-webster.com
Psychobabble is speech that relies heavily on psychological jargon and expressions. It is often used by individuals who have little to no training in psychology. The word is derived from a combination of the words “psychology,” or the study of the mind and behavior, and “babble,” which is to utter meaningless or unintelligible sounds.
goodtherapy.org
language using a lot of words and expressions taken from psychology
dictionary.cambridge.org
Nounpsychobabble ( uncountable)
- The jargon of psychology and psychoanalysis, especially when regarded as trite or trivial. [from 20th c.]
- 1977, "Psychobabble", Time, 3 Dec 1977: The psychological patter of the '70s is as inescapable as Muzak and just as numbing: Are you relating? Going through heavy changes? In touch with yourself and doing your own thing? Are you up front, or just hung up and uptight? Boston Writer R.D. (for Richard Dean) Rosen calls it psychobabble, and in his new book by that title (Atheneum, $8.95) sees America awash in soggy therapeutic clichés.
- 2007, Max Brooks, "Saving Mel Brooks", Mens Health, 22.2: He didn't want to hear any new-age psychobabble, like " find your inner peace."
en.wiktionary.org |
