Psychology: What is Psychology?

Scientific Categories

- basic research - core knowledge - applied research - solve practical problems

4 Goals of Psychology: Change

- how we can change - applying psychological knowledge to prevent unwanted outcomes or bring about desired goals

Scientific Method:

- perceive the question/ issue - form hypothesis - test hypothesis - draw conclusions - report results

Psychiatrist

- treat disturbed behavior with medicine - hospitals or private practice - usually not research based

4 Goals of Psychology: Description

- what occurred - name & classify particular behaviors

4 Goals of Psychology: Prediction

- when it occurs - under what conditions do behaviors/ mental processes occur

4 Goals of Psychology: Explanation

- why it occurred - discover and understand causes of behavior

Physiological

Physical process & needs - i.e. sleep & hunger

Psychologist

Someone trained to observe & analyze behavior patterns, develop thesis', and apply these to change behavior

4 Goals of Psychology

1. Description 2. Explanation 3. Prediction 4. Change

Definition of Psychology?

The study of behavioral & mental process - everything people think, feel, and do

Cognitive

Thinking & understanding - often un-observable