What is Psychology: Definition and 97 Discussions

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, as well as feelings and thought. It is an academic discipline of immense scope. Psychologists also seek an understanding of the emergent properties of brains, linking the discipline to neuroscience. As a social science, psychologists aim to understand the behavior of individuals and groups.A professional practitioner or researcher involved in the discipline is called a psychologist. Some psychologists can be classified as a social, behavioral, or cognitive scientists. Some psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior. Others explore the physiological and biological processes that underlie cognitive functions and behaviors.
Psychologists explore behavior and mental processes, including perception, cognition, attention, emotion, intelligence, subjective experiences, motivation, brain functioning, and personality. Psychologists' interests extend to interpersonal relationships, psychological resilience, family resilience, and other areas within social psychology. Psychologists also consider the unconscious mind. Research psychologists employ empirical methods to infer causal and correlational relationships between psychosocial variables. Some, but not all, clinical and counseling psychologists rely on symbolic interpretation.
While psychological knowledge is often applied to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, it is also directed towards understanding and solving problems in several spheres of human activity. By many accounts, psychology ultimately aims to benefit society. Many psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role, practicing in clinical, counseling, or school settings. Other psychologists conduct scientific research on a wide range of topics related to mental processes and behavior. Typically the latter group of psychologists work in academic settings (e.g., universities, medical schools, hospitals). Another group of psychologists is employed in industrial and organizational settings. Yet others are involved in work on human development, aging, sports, health, forensics, and the media.

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  1. S

    Psychology & Physics: Finding Essential Connections

    I have just started going back to school, and am currently taking a psychology course. I am majoring in physics and this has caused a bit of a problem for this interview paper assignment: (1) Pick a sub-field from psychology (see main chapters listed in the Table of Contents in your...
  2. W

    [help] Documentaries needed - Philosophy / Psychology / and anything good

    Have any suggestions? I'd like to see good documentaries on Philosophy / How the brain works / Intelligence / Creativity / Psychology / and anything good... Thank you :)
  3. O

    Studying The psychology of reading a textbook

    In my opinion, understanding is not discrete, that is, it isn't like you either understand or not understand, it's a continuous scale, so however well you understand something, you can still do it better. This idealistic view causes me some problems while reading textbooks. Even if I feel that I...
  4. P

    [Psychology] What do these two personalities indicate?

    Here are two cases: 1- A person is a writer. He writes on issues in an aggressive manner and an arrogant tone. But in his personal life, he's quite a shy and introvert kind of guy. What does this indicate? 2- Another person is a writer. In his personal life he talks big and is rather...
  5. Loren Booda

    Seeking outstanding, original psychology videos online

    Please relate to me the most profound and original psychological experiment (or lecture) video you have encountered online (less than twenty minutes and at least graduate level, please).
  6. A

    Is Psychology and social science really a science?

    Maybe it's just me, but it seems that more often than not people in the fields of psychology and social sciences will abuse the scientific method in order to justify their own inane BS. Am I right or wrong? Please explain, thanks.
  7. J

    Chaos Theory and Human Behavior: Can it Explain the Complexity of the Mind?

    Does the following statement make sense: The Chaos theory models systems (e.g., gases, fluids, sound, populations, whether, solar system) which particles (e.g., atoms, waves, specimens, currents, planets) shift from entropy to harmony following certain laws (e.g, thermodynamic, mass, space...
  8. DaveC426913

    What branch of science? Logic? Psychology?

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  9. K

    AP Physics or AP Psychology: Which One Should You Take for College Credit?

    Hello all, I'm a high school student in transition from junior year to senior year. And I was wondering if anyone thinks that it would be a good idead to take AP Physics as opposed to AP Psychology? When I go to college I plan to major in a science, but I'm not sure which course will make...
  10. A

    Wolfgang Pauli was certainly interested in psychology

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  11. S

    Programs Major in biology with say psychology

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  12. T

    Medical Teaching Psychology: Techniques & Challenges

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  13. S

    Is adaptationist reasoning reliable in evolutionary psychology?

    Is Psychology a science? Discuss
  14. N

    Double Majoring in Physics & Psychology: Exploring My Path Ahead

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  15. Astronuc

    Sustainable Economics and Ecological Psychology

    A former professor and associate of my wife has developed a new field of which I am familiar with some elements. The field is Ecological Psychology, and he has written a book entitled, "Ecological Psychology: Creating a More Earth-friendly Human Nature." The book explores the ethics of...
  16. M

    The psychology of labelling others as crackpots

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  17. S

    Medical What Branch of Psychology Should I Major In?

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  18. C

    Dream and myth: the foundation for depth psychology

    Dream and myth: the foundation for depth psychology Freud hypothesized that dreams were a means for establishing a universal method for studying the human psyche. He felt that dreams provided a means for studying the psyche in a manner similar to that used to study the physiological...
  19. Z

    Human-to-nature relationship is psychology

    The one discipline that, sad to say, has hitherto remained virtually untouched by any concern for the environment or the human-to-nature relationship is psychology. You will search in vain in the texts and journals of any of the major schools of psychology—clinical, behaviorist, cognitive...
  20. L

    Is Psychology Considered a Pseudo-Science?

    I remember someone telling me that they heard a physicist once say that psychology was a pseudo-science, but I don't remember who exactly it was that said this. Anyways, I was wondering if there's a consensus out there that supports this notion of psychology being a pseudo-science, and if so, why?
  21. P

    What role can evolutionary psychology play in our moral theorizing?

    What role can evolutionary psychology play in our moral theorizing, generally speaking? I have had difficulty answering this question myself. Any input would be appreciated.
  22. B

    Medical Psychology and PhD, opportunities

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  23. G

    Diagnosing Myself without Psychology: A Self-Reflection

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  24. S

    Medical How Did UK AS Students Find Today's Psychology Exam?

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  25. A

    Medical Who Was First Psychologist? Plato and Beyond

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  26. L

    Medical Colours & Psychology: Referrals & Publications Needed

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  27. Greg Bernhardt

    The Psychology of Human Sexuality

    Author: Dr. Donald Luttermoser of East Tennessee State University
  28. D

    Medical What are the Five Traditional Psychology Theories Identified by Sdorow?

    Can anyone tell me of the five traditional psychology theories, as identified by Sdorow? Doranne
  29. H

    Deciding Between Logic & Psychology: What Would You Have Chosen?

    I have to take one out of these and i am really confused whether i should take Logic or Psychology.I have previously studied Psychology and enjoyed that but at the moment i am considering other option.. What would you have had taken and why if you had to choose one of these? English...
  30. G

    Is It Ethical for a Professor to Kiss a Student?

    So I was at the bar, and all of the sudden this beautiful gorgeous blonde starts snapping her fingers at me and calling my name. Wouldn't you know it, it was my 27 year old psych professor from last semester. I think she was a little bit tipsy cause she kissed me. But you know what they say...
  31. M

    I think this would be psychology

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  32. F

    Is Visiting a Psychology Major at UCLA Worth It?

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  33. N

    APA Format for Psychology Annotated Bibliography

    I have to do an annotated bibliography for psychology and the professor wants it to be in APA format.I have no idea what APA format is.Can someone opoint me in the direction?
  34. A

    Is Eye Movement a Reliable Indicator of Deception?

    Hello.. I recently caught my partner red handed cheating on me. We have been together for a long time and things were very messy for a while. A month later she realized what she had done was stupid etc... And she wanted to get back together. Obviously my first question after the break up was...
  35. T

    Is Psychology Just a Part of Philosophy?

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  36. B

    Does depression lead to a shift in beliefs and mindset?

    I read a post here on depression...and I was wondering the result of depression (i.e., how people changed from pre-depression to post-depression) I don't mean "during" depression...but before and after: when people are "happy" again; what is the difference between the non-depressed state of...
  37. Andre

    What Is the Role of Threats in Building Social Groups?

    After writing this essay I decided to stop fighting the global warmings. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Recommendations For Global Warming Skeptics, an armchair analysis by Andre Apparently, one of the instincts for survival of a social species like Homo sapiens is social...
  38. S

    Non-linear chaotic dynamical systems and psychology?

    Does anyone know anything concrete about the application of nonlinear chaotic dyamical systems to psychology? I have come to find out that there is a substantial amount of research being done on this. I read some articles today where people were trying to apply this to dysfunctional families...
  39. D

    Freud's Contributions to Psychology

    Does anyone know what Freud's most recognized accomplishments or benefits to Psychology were? I'm trying to find it now but the only prevalent thing I'm finding so far is that Freud was quite an eccentric fellow in his beliefs.
  40. Q

    Modern vs. Traditional Psychology

    Hi, What do you guys think about the Psychology found in different mystical traditions versus the shrinks of today who base themselves on Jung, Freud etc ... ? :smile: Is one better than the other? Are they the same?
  41. C

    Psychology & Physics: Exploring the Mind-Body Connection

    is there any branch of physics or psychology that focuses on the mind and physics (ie integration of mind to machines, astral projection, etc.)?
  42. E

    Dream Psychology: People's Opinions Wanted

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  43. P

    Psychology: The Terrifying Effects Of Rewards

    The once always regarded as the most effective method of teaching, was already proven to be in effective by many psychologists. These baffling results had proved the famous behaviorist, B.F. Skinner, wrong GREATLY! In one of the experiments conducted, children were splitted...
  44. Ivan Seeking

    Is Walking Over Hot Coals Truly a Motivational Technique?

    http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/05/Tampabay/Hot_Psychology.shtml
  45. T

    Science Club Psychology Exp: "Cat" & "Moo Moo

    For my Science Club I have an idea for an experiment, and I just wanted to know what you think of it. For 15 minutes an meeting I will say the word cat over and over again, and my friend will say moo moo after each cat. At the end of the year I am hoping that without my friend thinking, when I...
  46. Zefram

    Is Psychology Becoming More Scientific?

    How scientific is it? What I mean is I just read Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! and in the very last section on "cargo cult science" he says: He goes on later to talk about a psychology experiment with rats which he says "discovered all the things you have to do to discover something...
  47. Q

    News War Is Defunct. Psychology rules.

    There is so much psychological warfare these days... long before there is any real fighting. Often that's all that's needed to tip the scale in favor of an aggressor or liberator. Their intended target gives into the reasoning of the perpetrator. The actual war may never happen. The leaflets...
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