Here are some basics which gives a clear understanding on
the study of psychology which gives you the perfect beginning. Are you new to
the study of psychology? It may seem like a vast and daunting topic at first,
but understanding a few basic facts can make it easier to get started. The
following are just a few of the important things you need to know about this
fascinating topic. Once you have a strong understanding of the basics, you will
be better prepared to explore psychology in greater depth.
A1.
Psychology Is the Study of the Mind and Behavior
Psychology is the study of the mental processes and
behavior. The term psychology comes from the Greek word psyche meaning
"breath, spirit, soul" and the logia meaning "study of."
Psychology emerged from biology and philosophy and is closely linked to other
disciplines including sociology , medicine, linguistics and anthropology.
A2.
Psychology Uses Scientific Methods
One of the most common myths about psychology is that it
is just "common sense." Unlike common sense, psychology relies on
scientific methods to investigate questions and arrive at conclusions.
Psychologists use a range of techniques to study the human mind and behavior, including
naturalistic observation, experiments, case studies and questionnaires.
A3.
Psychologists Take Many Different Perspectives
Topics and questions in psychology can be looked at in a
number of different ways. Let's take the topic of violence as an example. Some
psychologists may look at how biological influences contribute to violence,
while other psychologists might look at factors like culture, family
relationships, social pressure and situational variables influence violence.
Some of the major perspectives in psychology include the:
Biological perspective
Cognitive perspective
Behavioral perspective
Evolutionary perspective
Humanistic perspective
A4.
Psychology Has a Many Subfields
There are many different branches of psychology.
Introductory students often explore the basics of these various specialty
areas, but further exploration of each individual field may depend on what
course of study you select. Some of the biggest subfields within psychology are
clinical psychology, personality psychology, cognitive psychology,
developmental psychology and social psychology.
A5.
Psychology Is Not Just About Therapy
When you think of psychology, do you envision a therapist
with a notepad jotting down ideas as a client recounts childhood experiences?
While therapy is certainly a big part of psychology, it is not the only thing
that psychologists do. In fact, many psychologists don't work in the field of
mental health at all. Psychology encompasses other areas including teaching,
research and consulting. Psychologists work in a wide variety of settings,
including:
Colleges and universities
Private corporations
K-12 Schools
Hospitals
Government offices
A6.
Psychology Is All Around You
Psychology is not just an academic subject that exists
only in classrooms, research labs and mental health offices. The principles of
psychology can be seen all around you in everyday situations. The television
commercials and print ads you see everyday rely on psychology to develop
marketing messages that influence and persuade people to purchase the
advertised products. The websites you visit on a regular basis utilize
psychology to understand how people read, use and interpret online information.
A7.
Psychology Explores Both Real-World and Theoretical Issues
As you begin your study of psychology, it might seem like
some of the theories and research you learn about do not really apply to
real-life problems. It is important to remember, however, that psychology is
both and applied and theoretical subject. Some researchers focus on adding
information to our overall body of knowledge about the human mind and behavior
(known as basic research), while other concentrate directly on solving problems
and applying psychological problems to real-world situations (known as applied
research).
A8.
Psychology Offers a Wide Range of Career Options
If you are thinking about majoring in psychology, then
you should be pleased to discover that there are many different career paths to
choose from. Different career options depend largely on your educational level
and work experience, so it is important to research the required training and
licensing requirements of your chosen specialty area. Just a few of the
possible career options include clinical psychology, forensic psychology,
health psychology and industrial-organizational psychology.
A9.
Psychology Studies Both Normal and Abnormal Behavior
When many people think about psychology, they immediately
think about the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal behavior. However, it is important
to remember that psychology studies normal behavior as well.
A10.
Psychology Seeks to Describe, Explain, Predict, Modify and Improve Behaviors
There are four major goals of
psychology:
To
describe human thought and behaviour.
To
explain why these behaviors occur.
To
predict how, why and when these behaviors will occur again in the future.
To
modify and improve behaviors to better the lives of individuals and society as
a whole.
Hope
these 10 things help you to make a perfect start.
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