psychological power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "psychological power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the influence or control that one person or group has over the thoughts, feelings, or behaviors of another, often in a psychological context. Example: "The leader's psychological power over the group was evident in how easily they followed his directives without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Negotiators can bring a sense of psychological power to the table the feeling that they're powerful, whether or not that's objectively the case.

Harvard University

In the article 'The Psychological Power of Storytelling', author Pamela Rutledge explains that stories are powerful because they tap into authentic human experience; something many corporate advertising videos don't do.

Forbes

3. Psychological power.

Harvard University

helped me to assume a psychological power.

The New Yorker

3. Psychological power can change negotiation outcomes.

Harvard University

It's my way of generating psychological power".

The New York Times - Arts

This is an image with great psychological power that speaks intimately of mothers and sons.

The Guardian - Arts

"We abhor the abuse of power whether it is financial power, psychological power, physical power".

The New Yorker

The psychological power of the last space race came from being first.

The Guardian

But Bertillon's mug shots make for images of extraordinary, if ambiguous, psychological power.

The New Yorker

The initial opposition between the men is crucial to the psychological power of the genre.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "psychological power" to describe subtle forms of influence that affect thoughts, emotions, or behaviors, particularly in contexts like negotiations, relationships, or propaganda.

Common error

Avoid using "psychological power" interchangeably with physical or economic power. While these forms of power can be related, "psychological power" specifically refers to influence exerted on the mental and emotional states of others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "psychological power" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the capacity to influence someone's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used across different contexts to describe the ability to affect someone's mental state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "psychological power" is a well-established and widely used phrase for describing influence over the mental and emotional states of others. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. While related to manipulation, it's a broader concept. When using "psychological power", remember to distinguish it from physical or economic power, focusing instead on its unique impact on thoughts and feelings. As revealed by Ludwig, authoritative sources like The New Yorker and The Guardian frequently employ this term, solidifying its place in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mental influence

Focuses on the impact on thoughts and cognitive processes.

emotional control

Highlights the ability to manage or manipulate feelings.

power of persuasion

Emphasizes the ability to convince someone to do or believe something.

influence over minds

Describes the ability to affect someone's thoughts and decisions.

mental domination

Suggests a stronger, more controlling form of psychological influence.

cognitive manipulation

Implies the use of tactics to alter someone's thinking.

emotional leverage

Describes using emotions as a strategic advantage.

psychological dominance

Indicates a superior position in a psychological dynamic.

power of suggestion

Highlights the impact of subtle hints and indirect cues.

persuasive influence

Combines the concepts of persuasion and influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "psychological power" to describe the influence someone has over another person's thoughts or actions. For example, "The cult leader wielded significant psychological power over his followers."

What can I say instead of "psychological power"?

You can use alternatives like "mental influence", "emotional control", or "power of persuasion" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "psychological power" and manipulation?

"Psychological power" is a broader term that describes the ability to influence others' minds. Manipulation is a specific type of psychological power that involves using deceitful or exploitative tactics.

In what contexts is it appropriate to discuss "psychological power"?

It's appropriate to discuss "psychological power" in a variety of contexts, including negotiations, interpersonal relationships, propaganda, and leadership dynamics. It's relevant whenever someone's mental state is being influenced.