1. The Field of Psychology Gaining Insight into Behavior Behavior results from physiological (physical) processes and cognitive (intellectual) processes. Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychologists are systematic when they study behavior. Psychologists combine the results of many psychological studies to understand behavior. Psychology can provide useful insights into behavior; for example, it might help reveal why some people are uncomfortable in unstructured groups.

2. The Field of Psychology The Goals of Psychology Overall, psychologists seek to do four things: describe, explain, predict, and influence behavior. Psychologists acquire information, describe what is known, and explain by means of principles. Theories are complex explanations based on findings from many experiments that test hypotheses. Psychologists predict future behavior based on knowledge accumulated through descriptions and theories. Psychologists influence behavior by conducting studies (basic science) or using psychological principles to solve immediate problems (applied science).

3. The Field of Psychology The Scientific Basis of Psychology Psychology is a social science that focuses on individuals rather than social groups or cultures. Psychologists rely on the scientific method to gain empirical knowledge based on experiments and observations. Psychology is also a natural science that looks for biological explanations for human behavior. Using the scientific method involves goal setting, critical thinking, and open-mindedness. Like all scientists, psychologists continually review and revise their theories.