PsychologyAugust 23, 2026
pathologise
puh-THOL-uh-jyz
Definition
To view or treat a normal behavior or personality trait as a sign of a mental disorder or medical condition.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'pathos' (suffering) and 'logos' (study/discourse), the term was coined in the late 19th century to describe the medical practice of identifying diseases.
In the news
The article warns that people often 'pathologise' bad behaviors, such as being inconsiderate, by labeling them with clinical terms to avoid taking personal responsibility for their actions.
The pitfalls of armchair psychology
Read the full article ↗The Daily Star