psychological conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "psychological conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a strong belief or certainty that is rooted in psychological factors or mental processes. Example: "Her psychological conviction about the effectiveness of the therapy helped her stay committed to the treatment plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

That kind of finding reinforces a long-standing psychological conviction: that most memories are highly unreliable.

The New Yorker

Emile Boutroux and Warren Goldfarb claim that Poincaré is condemning the "logical" point of view for not providing psychological conviction (Boutroux 1914; Goldfarb 1985), while Detlefsen and Heinzmann argue for a difference on the epistemological level rather than a psychological one (Detlefsen 1992 , 1993 Heinzmann 1995).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Learners' psychological qualities such as conviction and hesitance are defined as a subclass of "cognitive quality" under the quality on awareness.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

These views are familiar from the history of philosophy, but many readers find their expression in Rand's novels to be of unusual psychological depth, subtlety, and conviction.

SEP

The recent and tragic suicide of my friend and fellow exoneree Darryl Hunt is a stark reminder that no monetary compensation can make up for the psychological toll of wrongful conviction.

Vice

The WHOQOL is a 100-item self-report questionnaire, and through the domains of physical health, psychological health, environment, personal convictions, social relationships and extent of independency, the WHO concept of quality of life is assessed.

BMC Psychiatry

Both of these tendencies probably aimed at representing human actions and interactions with greater conviction and increased psychological power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The distinction was often brought up in the 'textbook' fashion, as part of the definition of conversion offered, as above, or as a statement of conviction against a background of psychological incomprehension: I just cannot understand these people … from a psychological point of view.

Brain

The beauty of "Thanksgiving," however, comes from its aesthetic conviction — its careful accumulation of psychological depth, the way it makes the passage of two decades feel like one contiguous scene.

The New Yorker

After Newland's conviction, Judge Stockdale reviewed a psychological assessment of Newland's various mental health conditions.

Vice

On this coherentist picture, then, we assess the implications of moral psychological hypotheses on the basis of substantive convictions that we hold, such as our approval of unbiased judgment.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "psychological conviction" with specific details or examples to illustrate the basis of that conviction for a more impactful statement.

Common error

Avoid using "psychological conviction" when describing a mere personal opinion or preference. Reserve it for situations where the conviction is rooted in deeper psychological processes or beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "psychological conviction" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "psychological" modifies the noun "conviction". It describes a type of conviction that is rooted in or influenced by psychological factors. Ludwig identifies its use in reinforcing psychological findings.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "psychological conviction" is a phrase that describes a strong belief rooted in psychological factors, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct but relatively rare, primarily appearing in scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from mere personal opinions and to provide context that clarifies its psychological basis. Alternatives like "mental certitude" or "deep-seated belief" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Considering its formal tone, it is suitable for academic, scientific, and professional communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Psychological certainty

A direct synonym, simply replacing "conviction" with "certainty".

Personal psychological certainty

Highlights the personal and psychological nature of the certainty.

Firm psychological belief

Highlights the firmness and psychological origin of the belief.

Strong psychological assurance

Highlights the strength and psychological basis of the assurance.

Mental certitude

Emphasizes the mental aspect and certainty of the belief.

Cognitive conviction

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of the conviction.

Emotional conviction

Highlights the emotional basis of the conviction.

Profound mental assurance

Emphasizes both the depth and the mental nature of the assurance.

Deep-seated belief

Focuses on how profoundly the belief is held within the psyche.

Inner assurance

Conveys a sense of internal confidence and certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "psychological conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "psychological conviction" to describe a deeply held belief that stems from psychological factors. For example, "Her psychological conviction about the therapy's effectiveness helped her stay committed."

What's a good alternative to "psychological conviction"?

Alternatives include "mental certitude", "emotional conviction", or "deep-seated belief", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "psychological conviction" a formal or informal phrase?

"Psychological conviction" leans towards formal usage, particularly in academic or scientific contexts. In informal settings, simpler terms like "strong belief" might be more appropriate.

What makes a conviction "psychological"?

A "psychological conviction" is one that is strongly influenced by an individual's mental state, past experiences, or underlying psychological processes, rather than purely rational or logical considerations.