constitutional psychology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic / Historical
Quick answer
What does “constitutional psychology” mean?
A historical psychological theory, associated primarily with William Sheldon, that attempts to link human personality traits and temperament to specific body types or somatotypes (endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical psychological theory, associated primarily with William Sheldon, that attempts to link human personality traits and temperament to specific body types or somatotypes (endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph).
A largely discredited branch of psychology, also known as somatopsychology, which posited that an individual's physical constitution (body build) is a primary determinant of psychological characteristics, such as temperament and susceptibility to mental illness. It is considered a precursor to modern biological psychology but is criticized for its deterministic and oversimplified approach.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or definition.
Connotations
Equally carries a historical, outdated, and often critical connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, limited to specialised academic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “constitutional psychology” in a Sentence
constitutional psychology + [verb: is/was/has been] + [past participle: discredited/criticized/associated]constitutional psychology + [preposition: of] + [noun: somatotypes/body types]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “constitutional psychology” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His constitutional-psychology approach was met with scepticism.
American English
- She wrote a paper on constitutional psychology theories.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history of psychology, philosophy of science, or critical theory courses to discuss past scientific errors and the nature-nurture debate. Example: 'The chapter on biological determinism covered phrenology and constitutional psychology.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used by historians of psychology and science, sometimes by critics of biological determinism in discussions of race or gender.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “constitutional psychology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “constitutional psychology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “constitutional psychology”
- Using it as a synonym for modern biological psychology or neuroscience.
- Assuming it is a current, accepted theory.
- Confusing 'constitutional' with its political meaning (e.g., constitutional law).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered a discredited and historically significant theory. Its methods and conclusions do not meet modern scientific standards.
The American psychologist William H. Sheldon (1898-1977) is the central figure associated with developing and popularising this theory.
Endomorph (round, soft), Mesomorph (muscular, athletic), and Ectomorph (thin, linear). Sheldon associated each with a specific temperament.
It is criticized for biological determinism, methodological flaws (e.g., subjective somatotype ratings), oversimplification of complex human behaviour, and potential for social bias and stereotyping.
A historical psychological theory, associated primarily with William Sheldon, that attempts to link human personality traits and temperament to specific body types or somatotypes (endomorph, mesomorph, ectomorph).
Constitutional psychology is usually academic / historical in register.
Constitutional psychology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒn.stɪˈtjuː.ʃən.əl saɪˈkɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑːn.stɪˈtuː.ʃən.əl saɪˈkɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CONSTITUTIONal psychology focuses on the body's physical CONSTITUTION (build) to explain the mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A BLUEPRINT FOR THE MIND.
Practice
Quiz
Constitutional psychology is best described as: