• Behavior results from physiological (physical) processes and cognitive (intellectual) processes.
• Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
• Psychologists are systematic when they study behavior.

Gaining Insight into Behavior

The Field of Psychology

• Psychologists are systematic when they study behavior.
• Psychologists combine the results of many psychological studies to understand behavior.
• Psychology can provide useful insights into behavior; for example, it might help reveal why some people are uncomfortable in unstructured
groups.

Gaining Insight into Behavior

The Field of Psychology

• Overall, psychologists seek to do four things:

describe, explain, predict, and influence behavior.

• Psychologists acquire information, describe what is

known, and explain by means of principles.

• Theories are complex explanations based on

findings from many experiments that test

hypotheses.

The Goals of Psychology

The Field of Psychology

• Psychologists predict future behavior based on

knowledge accumulated through descriptions and

theories.

• Psychologists influence behavior by conducting

studies (basic science) or using psychological

principles to solve immediate problems (applied

science).

The Goals of Psychology

The Field of Psychology

The Field of Psychology

​The Scientific Basis of Psychology

• Psychology is a social science that focuses on

individuals rather than social groups or cultures.

• Psychologists rely on the scientific method to gain

empirical knowledge based on experiments and

observations.

The Field of Psychology

​The Scientific Basis of Psychology

• Psychology is also a natural science that looks for

biological explanations for human behavior.

• Using the scientific method involves goal setting,

critical thinking, and open-mindedness.

• Like all scientists, psychologists continually review

and revise their theories.