hormic psychology

9.9

A study of how goals and drives guide the behavior of people and animals rather than automatic actions

noun
/ˈhɔrmɪk saɪˈkɒlədʒi/

Archaic

: psicología hormica

Unlike behaviorists, McDougall believed that hormic psychology could better explain purposive actions.

Examples

In class, we discussed how hormic psychology highlights the importance of drives and goals in behavior.
He devoted his career to exploring the principles of hormic psychology in human motivation.
Hormic psychology focuses on understanding the motivations behind human behavior.
Many therapists incorporate hormic psychology into their practices.
He devoted his career to exploring the principles of hormic psychology to understand how goals influence human actions.
In class, we discussed how hormic psychology emphasizes the role of drives and aspirations in shaping behavior.
Many therapists incorporate hormic psychology into their practices to address the underlying motivations of their clients.

Synonyms

hormism

vshormic psychology

Archaic

9.9

A theory that explains behavior as guided by goals

is a broader branch that contains and studies that theoretical view

Surface Forms

hormic psychology singular

hormic psychologies plural

Morphology

hormic + psychology

This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: if a learner knows 'hormic' (relating to impulses or goal-directed forces) and 'psychology' (study of mind/behavior), they can directly infer it names a branch of psychology emphasizing purposive or goal-directed behavior. Note that 'hormic' is technical and rare, so while the compound is compositional, many B1 learners will not know the adjective itself.

Etymology

Hormic psychology comes from an old Greek word 'horme' meaning 'impulse', and the word hormic suggests being pushed by an inner 'urge'. So, imagine someone driven toward a clear aim; that's why this view sees behavior as directed toward goals, not just automatic reactions.