mentalistic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparabletechnicalspecialist

   Relating to the view that behavior can be explained by internal mental states such as beliefs and desires.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a mentalistic explanation. Not usually used in comparative forms.

   Patterns

   • mentalistic explanation
   • mentalistic approach
   • mentalistic theory

   The researcher criticized the mentalistic explanation of animal behavior.

   A mentalistic approach focuses on what goes on inside the mind.

2. 2adjectivenot comparabletechnicalspecialist

   Describing language or analysis that refers to internal thoughts and feelings rather than observable behavior.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: mentalistic vocabulary. Not usually used after a linking verb.

   Patterns

   • mentalistic language
   • mentalistic vocabulary
   • mentalistic terms

   Behaviorists avoided mentalistic terms like 'want' and 'believe'.

   The article argues that mentalistic language is unavoidable in psychology.

Common combinations

mentalistic explanation

The team rejected a purely mentalistic explanation of the data.

mentalistic approach

A mentalistic approach examines inner thoughts rather than outward actions.

mentalistic terms

The author avoids mentalistic terms in her analysis.

mentalistic theory

His mentalistic theory of mind has been widely debated.

Synonyms and how they differ

psychological

Broader and more common; refers to the mind in general, not specifically to the philosophical view.

cognitive

Focuses on mental processes like thinking and memory; more common in scientific writing.

Opposites

Word family

mentalism noun

The theory that mental states explain behavior.

mentalist noun

A person who supports mentalism, or an entertainer who performs mind tricks.

Commonly confused: mentalistic or mentalist?

Practice

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