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Questions and Answers
What is the fundamental question that psychology seeks to answer?
What is the fundamental question that psychology seeks to answer?
What is the primary focus of psychology?
What is the primary focus of psychology?
What is the purpose of psychology?
What is the purpose of psychology?
What are the branches of science that psychology includes?
What are the branches of science that psychology includes?
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What is the approach of psychology?
What is the approach of psychology?
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What is the primary focus of a neuropsychologist?
What is the primary focus of a neuropsychologist?
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What is the main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
What is the main difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
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What is the primary focus of an industrial/organisational psychologist?
What is the primary focus of an industrial/organisational psychologist?
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What is the primary focus of a forensic psychologist?
What is the primary focus of a forensic psychologist?
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What is the primary focus of a counselling psychologist?
What is the primary focus of a counselling psychologist?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology is a science that investigates questions about human behavior in a scientific way.
- The fundamental question psychology seeks to answer is: "what is human nature?"
- Psychology provides a powerful way of thinking about human behavior.
- It is a broad discipline that includes social science, behavioral science, biological science, cognitive science, and health science.
Goals of Psychology
- Describe human behavior
- Understand human behavior
- Predict human behavior
- Achieve some measure of control over human behavior
- Improve the quality of human life through therapy or research
Distinguishing between Psychologists and Psychiatrists
- A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry and can prescribe medicine.
- A psychologist studies the science of the psyche and does not prescribe medicine.
Subdivisions of the Field of Psychology
- Abnormal psychology or psychopathology
- Neuropsychology
- Pastoral psychology
- Personality psychology
- Psychological counseling
- Psychological evaluation and assessment
- Social psychology
- Sport psychology
- Career psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Community psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Environmental psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Health psychology
Registration Categories for Psychologists in South Africa
Clinical Psychologists
- Evaluate, diagnose, and treat individuals with psychological disorders
- Treat severe behavioral and emotional problems
- Involve interviewing, psychological testing, group and individual psychotherapy
Counselling Psychologists
- Overlap with clinical psychology, focusing on people struggling with everyday problems of moderate severity
- Specialize in career counseling
Educational Psychologists
- Focus on promoting cognitive, emotional, and social development of children in schools
- Testing and counseling of school children
Forensic Psychologists
- Apply psychological knowledge to respond to legal questions in criminal, civil, and family law
Industrial/Organisational Psychologists
- Apply psychological knowledge in the world of business and industry
- Focus on human resources, improving morale and attitudes, job satisfaction, and productivity
Neuropsychologists
- Focus on psychological assessment to diagnose and treat neuropathology (diseases affecting the nervous system)
Research Psychologists
- Focus on planning and conducting research in various psychological domains
- Validate tools used for research
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Description
Test your knowledge of the basics of psychology, including the definition of psychology, its goals, and the differences between psychologists and psychiatrists.
