Chapter 1 notes:
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Some people might think that psychologists are interested only in problem or abnormal behaviors. In fact they are interested in every aspect of human thought and behavior.
Perhaps the best way to introduce psychology is to look at what topics interest psychologists.
The Fields of Psychology
Two major organizations American Psychological Association (APA), founded over 100 years ago, and the American Psychological Society (APS), founded in 1988.
Developmental Psychology
Development psychologists study human mental and physical growth from the prenatal period through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. Child psychologists focus on infants and children. Adolescent psychologists, who specialize in the teenage years. Life-span psychologists, who focus on the adult years.
Physiological Psychology Physiological Psychologists investigate the biological basis of human behavior, thoughts, and emotions. Neuropsychologists are primarily interested n the brain and the nervous system. Psychobiologists specialize in the body’s biochemistry and in the way that hormones, psychoactive medications (such antidepressants), and “social drugs” (such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine) affect people. Behavioral geneticists investigate the impact of heredity on both normal and abnormal traits and behavior.
Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychologists conduct research on basic psychological processes, including learning, memory, sensation, perception, cognition, motivation, and emotion.
Personality Psychology
Personality Psychology study the differences among individuals in such traits as anxiety, sociability, self-esteem, need for achievement, and aggressiveness.
Clinical and Counseling Psychology When asked to describe a “psychologist,” most