GenPsych - Chapter 1

Psychology is a _____, it is connected to ______.

hub science; several other sciences

behevior

all the outward or overt actions and processes, such as talking, facial expressions, and movement

mental proceses

all the internal, covert activities of our minds such as thinking, feeling, and remembering

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Goals of Psychology:

1) Description

2) Prediction

3) Explanation

4) Control

Description

What is happening?

Systematic and unbiased accounts of observation

Prediction

When will it happen again?

Identifying conditions associated with the behavior

More useful than description as it allows you to learn and adapt

Explanation

How and why does it happening?

Identifying conditions that will produce the behavior

Control

How can it be improved?

Applying knowledge to change the behavior

The end goal: how to manipulate others for their benefit