what is psychology?

Question

im considering studing it at uni and im just wondering could anyone give me an insight into what exactly it is! im especially interested in current students!

Answer 1

The study of human behavior and mental processes. Psychology is sharply divided into applied and experimental areas. However, many fields are represented in both research and applied psychology.

Researchers in psychology study a wide range of areas. Cognitive research is often included as part of subdiscipline called cognitive science. This area examines central issues such as how mental process work, the relation between mind and brain, and the way in which biological transducing systems can convert physical regularities into perceptions of the world. Cognitive science is carved from the common ground shared by computer science, cognitive psychology, philosophy of mind, linguistics, neuropsychology, and cognitive anthropology. The study of human attention is a cognitive area that is central in the field. See also Cognition.

The study of consciousness involves such basic questions as the physiological basis of mental activity, the freedom of will, and the conscious and unconscious uses of memory. The latter topic can be classified under the rubric of implicit memory. See also Instinctive behavior; Memory; Psycholinguistics; Sensation.

Social psychology includes the study of interactions between individuals and groups, as well as the effects of groups on the attitudes, opinions, and behavior of individuals. The field covers such topics as persuasion, conformity, obedience to authority, stereotyping, prejudice, and decision making in social contexts. See also Motivation; Personality theory.

Developmental psychology has three subfields: life-span development, child development, and aging. Most research in the area concentrates on child development, which examines the development of abilities, personality, social relations, and, essentially, every attribute and ability seen in adults. See also Aging; Intelligence.

A clinical psychologist is usually known by the term psychologist, which in some states is a term that can be used only by a registered practitioner. A psychiatrist is a physician with a specialty in psychiatric treatment and, in most states, with certification as a psychiatrist by a board of medical examiners. A psychoanalyst is typically trained by a psychoanalytic institute in a version of the Freudian method of psychoanalysis. A large number of practitioners qualify both as psychoanalysts and psychiatrists. See also Psychoanalysis.

Neuropsychologists are usually psychologists, who may come from an experimental or a clinical background but who must go through certification as psychologists. They treat individuals who have psychological disorders with a clear neurological etiology, such as stroke.

Clinical practice includes individual consultation with clients, group therapy, and work in clinics or with teams of health professionals. Psychological therapists work in many settings and on problems ranging from short-term crises and substance abuse, to psychosis and major disorders. While there are definite biases within each field, it is possible for a practitioner with any background to prefer behavior therapy, a humanistic approach, a Freudian (dynamic) approach, or an eclectic approach derived from these and other areas.

Nonclinical professional work in psychology includes the human-factors element, which traditionally is applied to the design of the interface between a machine and its human operator. Cognitive engineering is a branch of applied psychology that deals mainly with software and hardware computer design. Industrial psychology also includes personnel selection and management and organizational planning and consulting.

The use of psychology in forensic matters is a natural result of the fact that much of law is based on psychology. Psychologists have been involved in jury selection, organization of evidence, evaluation of eyewitness testimony, and presentation of material in court cases. Psychiatrists and psychologists are also called on to diagnose potential defendants for mental disorders and the ability to stand trial.

Answer 2

I would recommend you read up on it, buy a book or go to the library.
Psychology is the study of behavior .Psychologists study both human and animal behavior as well as overt (external and observable) and convert (internal and non observable)behaviors
The goals of psychology are to:
1) describe behavior
2) predict behavior
3) explain behavior
4) control behavior

Psychologist have either doctoral or masters-level degrees.
A doctoral degree (PH.D, Psy.D, or Ed. D) is receive after three to six yrs. of post-undergraduates training in psychology. A Masters degree (M.S. or M.A.) is granted after one to three years of post-training at both the doctoral and masters degree level require an additional year of internship or on the-job training in a clinic, hospital, school, or business setting.

Answer 3

8 results for: psychology
psy·chol·o·gy–noun, plural -gies.
1.the science of the mind or of mental states and processes.
2.the science of human and animal behavior.
3.the sum or characteristics of the mental states and processes of a person or class of persons, or of the mental states and processes involved in a field of activity: the psychology of a soldier; the psychology of politics.
4.mental ploys or strategy: He used psychology on his parents to get a larger allowance.
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psy·chol·o·gy
n. pl. psy·chol·o·gies

1. The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.
2. The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, group, or activity: the psychology of war.
3. Subtle tactical action or argument used to manipulate or influence another: He used poor psychology on his employer when trying to make the point.
4. Philosophy The branch of metaphysics that studies the soul, the mind, and the relationship of life and mind to the functions of the body.
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psychology

noun
the science of mental life
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psychology
1. The scientific study of mental processes and behavior.
2. The behavioral and cognitive characteristics of a specific individual, group, activity, or circumstance. ◇ Clinical psychology ◇ is the application of psychological knowledge to the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
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psychology

The science dealing with mental phenomena and processes. Psychologists study emotions, perception, intelligence, consciousness, and the relationship between these phenomena and processes and the work of the glands and muscles. Psychologists are also interested in diseased or disordered mental states, and some psychologists provide therapy for individuals. In the United States, however, psychologists, unlike psychiatrists, are not medical doctors.
Note: The two main divisions of psychology are individual or personality psychology and social psychology; social psychology deals with the mental processes of groups.
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psy·chol·o·gy
n.

1. The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.
2. The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, a group, or an activity.
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Main Entry: psy·chol·o·gy
Pronunciation: -jE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gies
1 : the science of mind and behavior
2 a : the mental or behavioral characteristics typical of an individual or group or a particular form of behavior b : the study of mind and behavior in relation to a particular field of knowledge or activity
3 : a treatise on or a school, system, or branch of psychology
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Answer 4

Psychology is the study of the soul

Derived from the word "Psyche"---soul
"Logus"---study

It's the relationship of a soul to the human behavior

If you're more into learning about people n stuff, then it's much better to study psychology

Answer 5

Psychology is the scientific study of the behaviour of individuals and their mental processes.

Answer 6

It is essential the study of human behaviour, it encompasses emotional, physical and cognitive behaviour and is not just about mental health.

Answer 7

Psychology is the science that seeks to measure, explain, and sometimes change the behavior of man and animals.

Answer 8

in brief, the term Psychology (which is a greek combined word) refers to the study of behaviour and tries to find out any purposes of it -mind and thinking. it's mostly a human science, though in some cases the Biological Psychology looks into animal's way of acting. this happens either for getting aware of the animal's behaviour, or for becoming more concious of the human's.
for more details, visit the following sites:

*http://www.psychologia.gr/
*http://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%A8%CF%85%CF%87%CE%BF%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%B3%CE%AF%CE%B1
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology
*http://www.sntp.net/psychology_definition.htm
*http://www.langara.bc.ca/psychology/whatpsy1.htm
*http://ogden.basic-english.org/psycho.html
*http://www.meaning.ca/meaning_research/index.html
*http://zerzan.dzabalesku.net/sadrzaj/textz/html/Z_mass-psychology-of-misery.html
*http://www.gegenstandpunkt.com/english/psych/0-contents.html

Answer 9

The study of metal behaviour.

Answer 10

the best and in simple way is the study of brian... the study of your head...