psychological profiling

USAGE SUMMARY

"psychological profiling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the process of using psychological criteria to analyze and profile a person. For example, "The police used psychological profiling to determine the likely suspect in the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In her "The Wire in the Blood", psychological profiling is turned on its head when, in a classroom exercise, trainee police profilers discover a hitherto unsuspected but believable series of murders and an unlikely suspect.

The Economist

But person-by-person psychological profiling is a different matter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Science Behind Cambridge Analytica: Does Psychological Profiling Work?

Stanford University

(Oddly, he doesn't mention psychological profiling, which one would think ought to count as a science).

The Guardian - Books

Mail crime experts say investigators will rely heavily on laboratory work, psychological profiling and fingerprint analysis.

The New York Times

Psychological profiling traps the innocent and sends the guilty out to kill again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tomas is an international authority in psychological profiling, talent management, and people analytics.

The Guardian

Perhaps one day the Moneyball approach to sports tactics will be restyled into psychological profiling.

The Guardian - Sport

"If you look at all the psychological profiling about bombers, they typically will look at porn.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

No convincing psychological profile emerges.

The New York Times - Arts

A psychological profile gets him committed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "psychological profiling", ensure you clearly define the specific criteria and methods being used for the profiling to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping generalizations about individuals or groups based solely on "psychological profiling". Always consider the limitations of the profiling method and the potential for bias.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "psychological profiling" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes the process of analyzing and categorizing individuals based on psychological criteria, often in fields like criminal investigation or marketing. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "psychological profiling" is a commonly used noun phrase referring to the process of analyzing individuals based on psychological criteria. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, especially in news media, academia, and science. While useful, it is important to avoid overgeneralizations and be aware of potential biases as discussed above. Alternative terms like "psychological assessment" or "behavioral analysis" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding its applications, limitations, and ethical considerations is crucial for its responsible and accurate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

psychological assessment

A broader term that includes various methods of evaluating psychological characteristics.

personality assessment

Focuses on evaluating personality traits rather than a broader profiling approach.

behavioral analysis

Emphasizes the analysis of observable behaviors to understand psychological patterns.

psychometric testing

Highlights the use of standardized tests to measure psychological attributes.

mental evaluation

Highlights the evaluation of an individual's mental state and cognitive abilities.

character analysis

Focuses on evaluating moral and ethical qualities.

cognitive profiling

Focuses specifically on cognitive processes and abilities.

personality mapping

Focuses on visually representing personality traits and their relationships.

risk assessment

Emphasizes the evaluation of potential risks based on psychological factors.

psychoanalysis

Refers to a specific therapeutic approach focused on unconscious processes.

FAQs

How is "psychological profiling" used in criminal investigations?

"Psychological profiling" can help investigators narrow down potential suspects by analyzing crime scene evidence and victim characteristics to create a profile of the likely offender's personality, behavior, and motivations.

What are some ethical concerns related to "psychological profiling"?

Ethical concerns include potential biases in the profiling process, the risk of stigmatizing individuals or groups based on profile characteristics, and the misuse of profiles for discriminatory purposes. It's crucial to ensure fairness, accuracy, and transparency in "psychological profiling" practices.

What is the difference between "psychological assessment" and "psychological profiling"?

"Psychological assessment" is a broader term encompassing various methods of evaluating an individual's psychological characteristics, while "psychological profiling" specifically involves creating a profile of an individual or group based on certain psychological traits or behaviors. "Psychological assessment" includes methods like testing, interviews, and observations.

What are some limitations of "psychological profiling"?

"Psychological profiling" relies on generalizations and may not accurately reflect individual cases. It can be influenced by biases and should not be the sole basis for making decisions about individuals or groups. Factors such as environmental influences and personal experiences should be considered. Also, "behavioral analysis" alone can't always predict future actions.