At Entertainment Weekly, Kyle Anderson graded the album a B+, remarking how the release "a 40-minute master class in the kind of pop that moves both the body and the brain.

"[10] Jerry Shriver of USA Today rated the album three stars out of four, stating that "these witty, bright and relentlessly danceable tunes also explore plenty of universal young-adult angst.

"[9] Heather Phares of AllMusic rated the album four stars out of five, remarking that "Even if Neon Trees sometimes try a little too hard to be serious on Pop Psychology, it's some of their most heartfelt music and some of their finest.

"[11] At Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Piet Levy gave a positive review of the album, writing that "the band has never sounded so consistently confident and free.

"[16] Kate Padilla of The Spencer Daily Reporter gave a positive review of the album, stating that the release is "quite the experience to listen to" that "is proof alone Neon Trees has not lost any of their musical power.

"[17] At Rolling Stone, Jon Dolan rated the album three stars out of five, saying that "Pop Psychology opens with the biggest, shiniest songs he's come up with, each taking on a slippery aspect of post-modern romance.