phrenology

[ fri-nol-uh-jee, fre- ]

noun

1. a psychological theory or analytical method based on the belief that certain mental faculties and character traits are indicated by the configurations of the skull.

phrenology

/ ˌfrɛnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl; frɪˈnɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. (formerly) the branch of science concerned with localization of function in the human brain, esp determination of the strength of the faculties by the shape and size of the skull overlying the parts of the brain thought to be responsible for them

Derived Forms

• phrenological, adjective
• phreˈnologist, noun

Other Words From

• phren·o·log·ic [fren-l-, oj, -ik], phreno·logi·cal adjective
• phreno·logi·cal·ly adverb
• phre·nolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of phrenology¹

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; phreno- + -logy

Example Sentences

In the film, his father, Bert Groves, an Indigenous man and a civil rights activist born in 1907, recounts how he was prevented from pursuing an education because of the size of his skull, a victim of phrenology, the pseudoscience that lingered in Australia into the 20th century.

From New York Times

It comes with a tiny 32-page “Little Book of Cat Phrenology,” which unscientifically yet persuasively categorizes feline actions into broad categories such as resistance, indifference, calculation and vengeance.

From Los Angeles Times

This was partly driven by huge interest in the now-discredited science of phrenology.

From BBC

Phrenology had a similar run of credibility; even some widely respected scientists thought the contours of a person’s cranium could be “read” for what it said about intelligence and character.

From Washington Post

In the 19th Century, phrenology, which investigated the idea that human characteristics could be determined by the shape of the skull, was very popular in the UK and other parts of Europe.

From BBC