#1 As a field that uses the scientific approach#2 As a useful field with several important practical goals
#3 As a broad field
.Definition:
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Facts may replace opinions | 1. The scientific approach can't answer some very important questions. |
2. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be depressingly demystifying | |
3. Finding simple rules to explain behavior may be impossible. |
1. Describe behavior.2. Predict behavior
3. Explain (understand) behavior
4. Control behavior
Practice on distinguishing between psychology's goals.
a. You operate at several different levels so there are different levels of you that psychologists can study. Psychologists can study your
1. Physiological reactions: Your body reacts to things. For example, your heart may speed up and your palms may get sweaty. In studying physiological reactions, psychologists may use the same instruments that biologists and medical doctors use.
2. Actions: You exercise, study, eat, etc. Psychologists who focus only on this area might believe that you are what you do.
3. Thoughts: Psychologists who focus only on this area might believe that you are what you think.
4. Feelings/Emotions: Psychologists who focus only on this area might, like some poets, believe that you are what you feel.
b. Individuals are affected by many factors. In a sense, we live in three worlds: the biological world inside our body, the physical world, and our social world.II. Conclusions: Why study psychology?Hear how evolution may be affecting your mating and other behavior
c. Types of psychologists: Although you might be able to say that there are 15 types of psychologists, it is probably more accurate to say that there are at least 71 types of psychologists.
d. Different areas of psychology: As you can see by clicking this link, there are 54 divisions/areas of the American Psychological Association.
e. Problems attacked by psychologists: Almost all problems boil down to people's attitudes and actions and psychology studies people's attitudes and actions.
B. It helps you think more logically and scientifically.
C. It is a broad field so psychology is probably related to your major.
D. It is a practical field, so it is probably relevant to your career.
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