University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Psychology is formally defined as the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It focuses on understanding how individuals act, think, and feel, along with the underlying cognitive and physiological mechanisms. As a scientific discipline, it seeks to answer fundamental questions about a wide range of human phenomena by relying on empirical evidence rather than common sense.

Psychology

Psychology is a diverse field composed of numerous major subdivisions, each offering a unique perspective on the study of mind and behavior. These disciplines represent the primary areas of research and practice, and include fields such as cognitive, developmental, personality, and biological psychology, as well as applied areas like clinical, health, and forensic psychology.

Psychological Disciplines

Psychological research focuses on understanding behavior, as well as the cognitive (mind) and physiological (body) processes that underlie behavior. Psychologists use scientific methods to acquire knowledge.

Psychological Research

Psychology's emergence as a science is a recent development, with its experimental foundations laid in the 19th century, making it much younger than disciplines like human physiology. Before this period, inquiries into the mind were conducted within the realm of philosophy. The establishment of psychology as a scientific and academic field, separate from philosophy, is largely attributed to the work of 19th-century scholars Wilhelm Wundt and William James.

History of Psychology

People can pursue the following careers with a degree in psychology:

- University faculty
- Management
- Research
- Advertising
- Social Work
- Human resources
- Business
- Marketing
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Publishing
- Communications

Careers in Psychology

Psychology References

1. Annual Review of Psychology
2. Psychological Bulletin
3. Psychological Science in the Public Interest
4. Perspectives on Psychological Science
5. Psychological Methods
6. Psychological Review
7. Current Directions in Psychological Science
8. Psychological Science
9. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
10. Emotion
11. CNS Drugs
12. Psychiatry Research

References for  General Psychology by Journal

Which of the following best describes the field of psychology?

Which of the following phenomena are studied in psychology?

Which of the following is a primary focus of psychology?

Which of the following methods are commonly used in psychological research?

An education in psychology is valuable as it equips students with a diverse set of skills and a deeper understanding of human nature. Students develop critical thinking, learn the scientific method, and improve communication, which together enhance their scientific literacy for evaluating information. Furthermore, they gain insight into the complex interplay of biology, environment, and experience that shapes behavior, learn the fundamental principles of thought and action, and develop an appreciation for the vast diversity among individuals and cultures.

Merits of an Education in Psychology

Psychology is a multifaceted discipline that incorporates elements of both natural and social sciences. Its connection to natural sciences, such as biology, is evident in the study of the biological underpinnings of behavior. Concurrently, it is a social science because it examines how behavior is shaped by social interactions and environments.

Psychology as a Natural and Social Science

The field of psychology explores fundamental questions about human experiences, the functioning of the human brain, and the connection between the brain's internal processes and an individual's external behaviors.

Fundamental Inquiries in Psychology

Psychology is classified as a science because it adopts the same general empirical approach to understanding the natural world as other scientific disciplines. Although psychology specifically focuses on human behavior and mental processes, it illustrates its scientific nature by relying on systematic observation and empirical evidence to answer questions, rather than relying on unverified claims or common sense.

Psychology as a Science

Number sense is defined as an innate awareness of quantities, allowing humans and animals to intuitively recognize how many objects or events of a particular type they have experienced without the need to actually count them.

Number Sense

Folk psychology encompasses the intuitive beliefs and commonsense notions people naturally develop about human behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Although some of these everyday assumptions are reasonably accurate, scientific research demonstrates that many intuitive beliefs are incorrect, highlighting the necessity of a formal scientific approach to psychology.

Folk Psychology

Neural and cognitive networks work together to influence an individual's genes, body, and social environment in a bidirectional manner. The brain informs the body about how it will experience the environment, while the environment simultaneously shapes the brain by enhancing neural connections.

Gene-Environment Interaction

According to the formal definition of psychology as a scientific discipline, what does it rely on to answer fundamental questions about human phenomena?

Based on the definition of psychology, a study that only examines observable actions is incomplete because psychology also encompasses the study of mental processes and underlying mechanisms.

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