phrenology Synonyms
No Synonyms and anytonyms found
phrenology Meaning
phrenology (n)
a now abandoned study of the shape of skull as indicative of the strengths of different faculties
phrenology (n.)
The science of the special functions of the several parts of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the brain.
In popular usage, the physiological hypothesis of Gall, that the mental faculties, and traits of character, are shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.
phrenology Sentence Examples
- Phrenology, the discredited theory that the shape of the skull reveals a person's character, gained popularity in the 19th century.
- Franz Joseph Gall, the founder of phrenology, believed that the brain was divided into 35 different faculties, each located in a specific bump on the skull.
- Practitioners of phrenology claimed to be able to diagnose mental illnesses and predict criminal behavior based on the shape of a person's head.
- Phrenology was widely practiced throughout the Western world, but its popularity waned by the end of the 19th century due to the lack of scientific evidence to support its claims.
- Modern science has debunked phrenology, showing that there is no correlation between the shape of the skull and a person's personality or abilities.
- Phrenology's false premise has been used to justify prejudice and discrimination against people with certain head shapes.
- Despite being scientifically invalid, phrenology continues to be practiced by some fringe groups as a method of character analysis.
- The pseudoscience of phrenology has left a lasting legacy in popular culture, with references to "brain bumps" and "skull shapes" often used in jokes or memes.
- The history of phrenology serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of relying on unsubstantiated claims and believing in pseudoscience.
- Phrenology's influence on society highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need for evidence-based understanding.
FAQs About the word phrenology
a now abandoned study of the shape of skull as indicative of the strengths of different facultiesThe science of the special functions of the several parts of th
No synonyms found.
No antonyms found.
Phrenology, the discredited theory that the shape of the skull reveals a person's character, gained popularity in the 19th century.
Franz Joseph Gall, the founder of phrenology, believed that the brain was divided into 35 different faculties, each located in a specific bump on the skull.
Practitioners of phrenology claimed to be able to diagnose mental illnesses and predict criminal behavior based on the shape of a person's head.
Phrenology was widely practiced throughout the Western world, but its popularity waned by the end of the 19th century due to the lack of scientific evidence to support its claims.
