Both definitions taken from webster.com Main Entry: psy·chol·o·gy Pronunciation: -jE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -gies Etymology: New Latin psychologia, from psych- + -logia -logy 1 : the science of mind and behavior 2 a : the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual or group b : the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity 3 : a treatise on psychology - psy·chol·o·gist Main Entry: psy·chi·a·try Pronunciation: s&-'kI-&-trE, sI- Function: noun Etymology: probably from French psychiatrie, from psychiatre psychiatrist, from psych- psych- + Greek iatros physician -- more at -IATRY : a branch of medicine that deals with mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders Basically, psychology is more of talking with someone, finding out what's wrong with them and trying to help them out. Psychiatry is similar, but more of prescribing medicines (pills, etc) to help with a mental illness (depression, etc), mental problem, etc

With regard to mental health problems, psychology relates to a range of different approaches, including talking therapies. Psychiatry on the other hand is a specific branch of medicine and its main belief is that mental health problems result from something wrong with the brain / brain chemistry which can be treated by drugs or other physical intervention. It tries to treat mental health problems using the same approach that doctors use to treat physical health problems because it assumes that both are due to something wrong with the physical body. The mind is therefore thought to relate directly to the body. Another difference is that Psychiatry relates specifically to mental health whereas Psychology has been applied to a range of different settings including Business, Education, Physical Health and Rehabilitation of Offenders (Forensics). Hope this was useful. Stuart.

\"Psychology\" Morphology psych < Greek psyche = soul, life, person o = connecting vowel log = say y = process (logy = discussion) \"psychiatry\" iatr = healer y = process Psychology, from its etymology, should mean \"a discussion of the soul.\" However, it has come to refer to the study of behavior (quite a different matter). I believe the reason for the change in meaning is that first of all it was thought that the real person was his soul and that his soul directed his body. Thus an explanation for behavior would refer to the soul. However, with the modern denial of the existence of any soul (in favor of materialism), yet persons wanting to be gurus and receive money as experts, kept the name \"psychologist,\" and the name for their field, psychology. Thus, IMO, the use of these terms is based on dishonesty. Psychiatry, etymologically, should mean to the science of curing souls. But the same problem as above occurs; persons wanting to be gurus in this field are likely not to believe in any soul. In practicality, psychiatry is a term applied to the practice of medical doctors, who may write prescriptions for \"mental illnesses,\" even if they don't believe in a nonmaterial mind; but just a brain. Psychology, then, is used for the field in which therapies other than prescriptions are used to treat \"mental illnesses,\" though psychology is broader in scope that just \"mental illnesses,\" which come under \"abnormal psychology.\" Non-psychiatric psychologist use talk therapy (counseling) and sometimes behavioral reinforcement schedules to modify behavior (rewards vs. punishments). To have a mental illness/disorder (generally speaking) as defined in the DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (the psych insurance Bible), 1 of 2 things must exist: 1) The person is bothered by the behavior or 2) The person's functioning in society is impeded by the behavior. Otherwise, you can be as nutty as the mad-hatter and not be diagnosed as \"mentally ill,\" since your behavior neither bothers you yourself, nor impedes your functioning. Also, you can get a pass on mental illness if the behavior(s) is / are a part of your religion or culture. \"Biblical psychology\" is the study of and employment of what the Bible says about the soul (and similar concepts). This includes the study of certain Greek and Hebrew words in the Bible in their contexts, words that translate into English as soul, spirit, mind, heart, flesh (= human nature), and the like. For example, Ezekiel writes about a time when the Lord will remove the heart of stone and give a man a heart of flesh instead. Romans 12 speaks of being transformed by the renewal of one's mind. Galatians 5 speaks of Walking by the Spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh.