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
