The 55 best phrases about Psychology... and its meaning

Throughout the History of Psychology There have been many psychologists who have marked an era and who, thanks to their discoveries, have influenced other professionals in this discipline.

Both for his innovative way of thinking and for his contributions to psychological science, These are and continue to be a reference in the different fields that psychology covers: clinical psychology, Social psychology, educational psychology, etc.

The 55 best phrases about psychology

In today's article, we have proposed to make a list of the best phrases pronounced by the most important psychologists of recent times so that you can enjoy them.

1. I guess it's tempting to treat everything like a nail, if the only tool you have is a hammer (Abraham Maslow)

Abraham Maslow is considered the father of the psychological current called humanism. He has influenced various theorists, but is possibly remembered for his theory of human needs: Maslow's Pyramid. With this phrase, Maslow reminds us that we must have a flexible mindset because otherwise we will always make the same mistakes.

2. When I look at the world I am pessimistic, but when I look at people I am optimistic (Carl Rogers)

Another reference from the humanistic psychology is Carl Rogers, who made great contributions to the psychotherapy. With this phrase he reminds us that the world can be a hostile place. So nothing happens, because everyone, including ourselves, has problems. It is normal and the important thing is to face these situations with a positive spirit.

3. A mind cannot be understood without culture (Lev Vygotsky)

The Russian psychologist Lev vygotsky He is one of the great psychologists of learning. Neither mind nor learning can be understood without culture, because it has a great influence on our development.

4. The disappearance of the sense of responsibility is the greatest consequence of submission to authority (Stanley Milgram)

Stanley milgram contributed notably to social psychology thanks to his research on obedience to authority and this phrase was expressed in his conclusions, since Milgram considered that the sense of responsibility disappeared as a result of submission to authority.

5. You were never taught how to speak with your gestures, but you were taught to speak with words (Paul Ekman)

Paul Ekman reminds us that throughout our learning they have taught us to speak with words and have taught us to develop verbal language. However, during our development, educational agents have given little importance to learning gestures; to non-verbal communication.

6. If we don't believe in free speech for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all (Noam Chomsky)

One of today's most important psycholinguists and thinkers, Noam Chomsky, reminds us that it is easy to respect the opinions of those we like. But the same does not happen with people who are not to our liking.

7. The great discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their mental attitudes (William James)

Even if William James he already said it in his day, nowadays we are constantly told that attitude makes the difference in our results. Our attitude makes the difference when it comes to relating to others or fighting for our goals.

8. You are what you do, not what you say you will do (C. G. Jung)

Your actions determine who you are, not your words. This phrase is interpretable in different contexts. For example, in love relationships, when you promise but don't deliver; or when you want to achieve something in life, because you can have many ideas, but if you do not take action, they will stay in that, in ideas,

9. Unexpressed emotions never die. They are buried alive and come out later in worse ways (Sigmund Freud)

Nowadays the emotional intelligence It is fashionable, because if we do not manage our emotions well, our well-being is negatively affected. Sigmund Freud He already knew this, and that is why he wanted us to understand that if we do not manage our emotions correctly, in the end they come to light more strongly.

10. People who believe that they have the power to exercise some degree of control over their lives are healthier, more effective and more successful than those who do not have faith in their ability to make changes in their lives (Albert Bandura)

Albert Bandura is one of the most distinguished psychologists. His contributions, such as in regard to observational learning, have marked a before and after in psychology. With this phrase he makes clear reference to his theory of self-efficacy, in which he explains that people who believe in themselves are more likely to be successful in their goals.

Learn more about this famous Ukrainian-Canadian psychologist and educational psychologist in our articles:

• Albert Bandura's Theory of Social Learning
• Albert Bandura's Personality Theory
• Albert Bandura, awarded the National Medal of Science

11. If an individual is intellectually passive, he will not be able to be morally free (Jean Piaget)

Piaget was a Swiss-born psychologist, biologist, and epistemologist who went down in history for his constructivist theory of the development of intelligence. For Piaget, Since we were little we are explorers and we are building our own mental schemes in the interaction with the world.

12. Never think that you know everything. No matter how high you value yourself, always have the courage to tell yourself: I am ignorant (Ivan Pavlov)

Ivan Pavlov was a Russian physiologist who, after his experiments with dogs, contributed notably to the psychological current called behaviorism, specifically to classical conditioning. With his phrase he tells us that we must be humble and continue learning every day.

We invite you to read our post on classical conditioning at the following link:

• Classical conditioning and its most important experiments

13. All people speak of the mind without hesitation, but are puzzled when he asks them to define it (B. F. Skinner)

B. F. Skinner He wants to tell us with this phrase that the mind is extremely complex. Maybe that's why he focused only on observable behavior in his experiments? Whatever it was that led Skinner to do his research on rats, his conclusions have been very useful for both psychology and education.

14. I am what survives of me (Erik Erikson)

This German-born psychoanalyst reminds us with this phrase that we are what we learn. In other words, what survives in us through experience makes us what we are. A great theorist who formulated the Theory of Psychosocial Development.

15. Even when it is not completely achievable, we become better by trying to pursue a higher goal (Viktor Frankl)

Having objectives and goals to pursue is healthy and favor the well-being of a person. Not only this, but it is motivating and gives meaning to life.

Do you know who Viktor Frankl is? Take a look at his bio clicking here.

16. The message sent is not always the message received (Virgina Satir)

Virginia Satir is one of the most influential psychologists in history. This phrase expresses an undeniable principle: when we interact with someone, we have to consider their point of view and not just our own, since the other interlocutor has his own vision of the world. Which may make a lot of sense to us, not to him.

17. Most social acts must be understood in context, since they lose meaning if they are isolated (Solomon Asch)

People are biopsychosocial beings and, therefore, context is important in influencing how we act. There are psychologists who say that people are neither good nor bad, it is the situation that makes us good or bad.

18. If a person loves only one person and is indifferent to all others, his love is not love, but symbiotic attachment or expanded egoism (Erich Fromm)

When we are in love with someone, we would give our lives for that person. This can make us look like great people, because we go out of our way for that other. But even the most egotistical people can lose their minds over someone and seem like dedicated people. Deep down, all they want is to satisfy their own desires. Great phrase from the German psychoanalyst Erich fromm.

19. Targets transform a random walk into a chase (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)

Having goals in life and goals to pursue motivates us and makes the trip exciting. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi is one of the great figures of positive psychology and he is known for the concept of comfort zone.

20. There is a negative correlation between recovery and psychological therapy: the more psychological therapy, the less the patient's recovery (Hans Eysenck)

Hans Eysenck is undoubtedly one of the most important psychologists in the study of personality. Born in Germany but based in the UK, he carried out a lot of research. For Eysenck, it is not better to do more therapy sessions. But what is important is the quality of the sessions and that the patient is willing to change. Learn about Hans Eysenck's Theory of Personality by clicking on this link.

21. Everything worth teaching can be presented in different ways. These multiple ways can make us use our multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner)

Howard Gardner is known for his Theory of multiple intelligences. A theory that suggests that human beings have different types of intelligence, and not just a unitary intelligence. Therefore, it is crucial that these intelligences are developed through teaching.

22. I am not in this life to meet other people's expectations, nor do I feel that the world should meet mine (Fritz Perls)

For Fritz Perls, an individual must focus on himself and strive for what makes him happy, instead of think about what others think of them.

You can read the biography of Fritz Perls here.

23. A prejudice, unlike a misconception, is actively resistant to all the evidence that attempts to disprove it (Gordon W. Allport)

Prejudices make us people with little mental flexibility and do not allow us to be realistic, as Gordon W. Allport, a renowned social psychologist.

24. If you want to really understand something, try to change it (Kurt Lewin)

Kurt Lewin, a famous Gestalt psychologist who has influenced many psychology professionals with his theory of types of leadership, reminds us that complicated situations that lead us to change are really enriching because they help us learn.

25. Only the liberation of the natural capacity of love of a human being can counteract the sadistic destruction of him (Wilhelm Reich)

You just have to take a look around to see how destructive humans can be. However, the human being can also be a loving and considerate person. The key is in education.

26. Follow your heart but take your brain with you (Alfred Adler)

It's okay to follow what your heart tells you, because that will make you happy. However, you have to use your head and not get carried away by everything your heart tells you, because it may be wrong.

27. The border between good and bad is permeable and anyone can cross it when she is pressured by the forces of the situation (Anonymous)

It is very easy to say that someone is a good person when he has everything in this life. But when the situation is favorable to us, human beings can be hostile people.

28. What a child can do by cooperating today, he will be able to do only tomorrow (Lev Vygotsky)

In his investigations, Lev Vygotsky attached great importance to cooperative learning. This type of learning brings many benefits for the development and learning of the little ones (and also the older ones).

29. When we take time to realize the things that are going well for us, it means that we are receiving small rewards throughout the day (Martin Seligman)

It is frequent that we spend the day ruminating, thinking about the future and all that we can achieve. But if we focus on the present and value what we have and what we have achieved, this will make us feel really good.

30. The real problem is not whether machines think, but whether men do (B. F. Skinner)

Another famous phrase of the behaviorist B. F. Skinner, what ironic about the intelligence of human beings.

31. Hope is paradoxical. Having hope means being ready at all times for what is not yet born, but without despairing if the birth does not occur in the span of our lives (Erich Fromm)

Erich Fromm here highlights the nature of a rare virtue in our time: the hope.

32. The word "happiness" would lose its meaning if it is not balanced with sadness (C. G. Jung)

Happiness could not be understood without its opposite, just as vacations would not exist if we did not work. A reflection of the famous Swiss psychoanalyst.

33. Giving produces more happiness than receiving, not because it is a deprivation, but because in the act of giving is the expression of my vitality (Erich Fromm)

Another humanist reflection of the author of "The art of loving". In kindness and generosity lies the greatness of living, of finding ourselves in the reflection of the happiness of those around us.

34. Intelligence, what we consider intelligent actions, changes throughout history. Intelligence is not a substance in the head like oil in an oil tank. It is a collection of potentialities that are completed (Howard Gardner)

A reflection of the author of the theory of multiple intelligences, in which shows us his particular vision of human intelligence. Do you agree with the opinion of the American psychologist?

35. The line between good and evil is permeable and almost anyone can be induced to cross it when pressed by situational forces (Philip Zimbardo)

The Stanford prison experiment, directed by the American psychologist Philip Zimbardo, reveals that human beings can be capable of committing cruel acts if the situation pushes us to do so.

36. Psychology is a tricky field, in which even notable authorities have moved in circles, describing things that everyone knows in words that no one understands (Raymond Cattell)

This phrase by Raymond Cattell on Psychology can be a useful reflection to understand psychology.

37. If you are old, don't try to change yourself, change your environment (B. F. Skinner)

The referent of radical behaviorism speaks here on the basis of his conception of psychology: making the way in which we interact with the environment change to change ourselves. One of the most useful phrases on psychology to understand operant conditioning.

38. The mission of psychology is to give us a totally different idea about the things we know the most about (Paul Valéry)

The essayist and philosopher Paul Valéry believed that the essence of psychology is to compromise ideas of common sense about the way we perceive things and act.

39. Evolution is an indispensable component of any satisfactory explanation about our psychology (Steven Pinker)

Pinker, the benchmark in evolutionary psychology, talks about the role of the evolution of our ancestors in how we behave.

40. There is a lot of randomness in the decisions that people make (Daniel Kahneman)

Kahneman, one of the researchers who have challenged the idea that human beings are rational by nature, talk about the chaotic of our decisions; even those that apparently obey logic.

41. Follow your heart, but always try to carry your brain with you (Alfred Adler)

A poetic way of insinuating that passions are our motor and reason is the watchdog of our march.

42. Knowledge is an antidote to fear (Gerd Gigerenzer)

For this researcher and popularizer of psychology, knowledge allows to be more confident about what we do and what we can expect.

43. Don't become a simple fact recorder; tries to penetrate the mystery of its origins (Ivan Pavlov)

The Russian physiologist responsible for the creation of behaviorism talks about the spirit of the scientific researcher.

44. Education survives when what has been learned is forgotten (B. F. Skinner)

For Skinner, education is based on behaviors deeply engraved in us, beyond the theoretical knowledge that we have been able to memorize.

45. Columnists and sportswriters are rewarded for being arrogant (Daniel Kahneman)

A way of reconstructing the behavior of two classes of professionals apparently not very similar to each other.

46. We have to learn to live with uncertainty (Gerd Gigerenzer)

The uncertainty It is one of the constants of life, and that is why you have to know how to manage it.

47. Creativity is related to our ability to find new answers to old problems (Martin Seligman)

One of the psychology phrases that address the topic of creativity with an imaginative definition.

48. We constantly encounter great opportunities that are brilliantly masked with unsolvable problems (Margaret Mead)

This reference of anthropology reflected in this reflection a way of understanding the double edge of some of the opportunities that are presented to us.

49. People tend to evaluate themselves by comparing themselves to other people, not using absolute standards (Leon Festinger)

Festinger was one of the social psychologists most important of the twentieth century, and in this way reflected the impact that our perception of others has on apparently private psychological processes that only concern one.

50. If you want to be happy, you must resign yourself to see others happy (Bertrand Russell)

A very direct interpretation psychological phrase.

51. Control the way a man interprets the world and you will have advanced a lot in the task of controlling his behavior (Stanley Milgram)

A reflection on the importance of perception in our way of acting.

52. Immature love says: "I love you because I need you." Mature love says: "I need you because I love you" (Erich Fromm)

One of the most remembered reflections of this psychoanalyst.

53. What one can become, one must be (Abraham Maslow)

One of the phrases about psychology that best summarizes humanist philosophy.

54. False optimism sooner or later turns to disappointment, anger and despair (Abraham Maslow)

An observation about the consequences of the way some people experience what happens to them.

55. Time spent in the company of cats is never wasted (Sigmund Freud)

Finally, one of Sigmund Freud's most sympathetic phrases.

Have we left an interesting phrase about this scientific discipline? You can write it down in the comments and we will include it in the article.