Chapter 1 What is Psychology?

Psychologists are interested in studying people’s emotions, or feelings, because they can affect both behavior and mental processes. The goals of psychology are very similar to the goals of science:

Observe Describe Explain Predict Control Psychology is a social science but it is rooted in the natural sciences.

Psychology tests ideas through various research methods. Most common are surveys and experimentation. Psychologists organize their ideas about behavior and mental processes into theories. Theories can be discarded or revised.

All psychologists: 1. Share a keen interest in behavior and believe in the value of scientific research. 2. Share the belief that theories about behavior and mental processes should be supported by scientific evidence. 3. They accept that something is true only if evidence shows it is so.

There are many different types of psychologists. Clinical psychologists make up the largest group of psychologists and are the people most of us think of when we hear the term. They evaluate with the use of interviews and psychological tests, and help people with psychological problems.

Clinical psychologists should not be confused with psychiatrists, who are medical doctors that can prescribe medication for clients. Counseling psychologists typically treat people who have adjustment problems rather than serious psychological disorders and are usually employed in testing centers.

School psychologists are employed by school districts to identify and help students who have problems that interfere with learning. They talk with teachers, parents and the students, but can also administer tests. Then they advise and make recommendations about placement of the students in special classes and programs.

Educational psychologists generally focus on course planning and instructional methods for an entire school system. They are concerned with learning theories and what affects learning. They also help prepare standardized tests. Developmental psychologists study the changes that occur throughout the life span.

These changes can be physical, emotional, cognitive, or social. Personality psychologists identify characteristics or traits such as shyness or friendliness. They share an interest in psychological problems and disorders, and are also concerned with issues such as anxiety, aggression, and gender roles.

Social psychologists are concerned with people’s behavior in social situations. They focus on external issues. Experimental psychologists conduct research into basic processes such as the functions of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, and thinking and motivation.

There are many other types of special psychologists in such areas as sports, industrial, organizational, environmental, consumer, forensic, and health.