Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Psychology"

To sign 'psychology', hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing your dominant side. Form your dominant hand into a flat shape with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing you. Tap the edge of your dominant hand—specifically the webbed area between your thumb and index finger—against the palm of your non-dominant hand twice.

Examples Using "Psychology" in a Sentence

1

I am studying psychology in college.

To sign this sentence, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then use the sign for 'study'. Follow this with the sign for 'psychology', and finish the sentence with the sign for 'college'.

2

She wants to be a psychology teacher.

Begin by pointing to the person for 'she', then sign 'want'. Next, perform the sign for 'psychology', and conclude by signing 'teacher' (which combines the sign for 'teach' with the ASL person marker).

3

Psychology is a fascinating subject.

Start with the sign for 'psychology' as the main topic of your sentence. Then, use the sign for 'fascinating' or 'interesting' to express your thoughts, establishing the subject and your description of it clearly.

How to Sign "Psychology"
To sign 'psychology', hold your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing your dominant side. Form your dominant hand into a flat shape with the fingers pointing forward and the palm facing you. Tap the edge of your dominant hand—specifically the webbed area between your thumb and index finger—against the palm of your non-dominant hand twice.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
In this sign, the non-dominant hand acts as a stationary base, which often represents a field of study, a foundation, or a 'book' of knowledge in ASL. The dominant hand's specific placement and tapping motion suggest the act of analyzing, dividing, or delving deeply into thought. Together, these elements visually reflect the analytical and structured study of the human mind, capturing the core essence of what psychology represents as an academic discipline.
Signing Tips
When practicing the sign for 'psychology', focus on keeping your non-dominant hand completely still while your dominant hand performs the tapping motion. Ensure your fingers are straight and held together on both hands to make the sign look clean, crisp, and intentional. The tap should be light but distinct. Maintaining a relaxed but firm posture in your hands will help you execute the sign smoothly without it looking sloppy or rushed.
Common Mistakes
A frequent mistake beginners make is clapping their hands together or tapping with their fingertips instead of using the specific webbed edge between the thumb and index finger. Another common error is moving both hands simultaneously; remember that in ASL, when one hand acts as a base, it should remain entirely stationary. Finally, be careful not to turn your dominant palm outward; it must face toward you throughout the entire sign.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Psychology" in a Sentence
1

I am studying psychology in college.

To sign this sentence, start by pointing to yourself for 'I', then use the sign for 'study'. Follow this with the sign for 'psychology', and finish the sentence with the sign for 'college'.

2

She wants to be a psychology teacher.

Begin by pointing to the person for 'she', then sign 'want'. Next, perform the sign for 'psychology', and conclude by signing 'teacher' (which combines the sign for 'teach' with the ASL person marker).

3

Psychology is a fascinating subject.

Start with the sign for 'psychology' as the main topic of your sentence. Then, use the sign for 'fascinating' or 'interesting' to express your thoughts, establishing the subject and your description of it clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this sign for 'psychologist'?

To sign 'psychologist', you will need to add a suffix. First, perform the sign for 'psychology' as described. Then, immediately add the 'person marker' (moving both flat hands downward parallel to each other) to indicate an individual who practices or studies psychology.

Does it matter which hand I use as the base?

Yes, hand dominance is very important in ASL. You should always use your non-dominant hand as the stationary base. Your dominant hand (the hand you write with) should be the one performing the active tapping movement against your base hand.

How many times should I tap my hand?

For the noun 'psychology', you should tap your dominant hand against your non-dominant palm twice. In ASL, a double movement or double tap is the standard grammatical rule for indicating a noun, distinguishing it from related verbs.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!