Psychology Definitions PDF

## PSICOLOGIA - Algumas definições **Definition** - The word "psychology" comes from the Greek words *psiché* and *logos*, and means "study of the mind or soul". - Today, **psychology** is generally defined as the science that focuses on behavior and mental processes - of all animals. - **Key wor...

## PSICOLOGIA - Algumas definições **Definition** - The word "psychology" comes from the Greek words *psiché* and *logos*, and means "study of the mind or soul". - Today, **psychology** is generally defined as the science that focuses on behavior and mental processes - of all animals. - **Key words in the definition**: "science", "behavior", "mental processes". **What do psychologists study?** - Psychologists use the word "behavior" broadly, encompassing everything people and animals do. - This includes: - Conduct - Emotions - Communication styles - Developmental processes - Mental processes - Some debate if mental processes actually count as behavior, so they are mentioned separately. - **Mental processes** are forms of cognition, or ways of knowing. - These include: - Perceiving - Paying attention - Remembering - Reasoning - Solving problems - Dreaming - Fantasizing - Wanting - Hoping - Predicting **What do we learn in psychology?** - **Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.** - From the beginning, psychologists have debated the scope of the subject matter. - Should they only study observable behavior? - Is it possible to study internal thoughts scientifically? **What are the different perspectives on the definition of psychology?** - The phrase "behavior and mental processes" in the definition is complex. - It refers to things that people *do*, but also to: - Thoughts - Feelings - Perceptions - Memories - Biological activities **What is the broader goal of psychology?** - When psychologists study behavior and mental processes, their perspective is broad too. - They are not simply interested in description. - Like any other science, they are also interested in: - Explanation - Prediction - Modification - Ultimately, improving the lives of people and the world they live in. **Different approaches to psychology:** - Some psychologists view the discipline as the science of the mind. - Others view it as the science of behavior. - It's important to note that psychology is interested in the *why* and *how* of behavior, in addition to the *what*. **Summary** - Psychology studies the *why* and *how* of people's actions and thoughts. - Psychologists aim to: - Describe the *what* of behavior. - Explain *why* people behave in certain ways. - Predict *what* people are likely to do in the future. - Modify *how* people behave. ## The complexity of defining psychology - Because psychology studies both observable and internal behavior, it's a complex field to define. - There are many arguments about what to include and exclude from the definition. - Some argue that defining it as only the science of behavior is too narrow. - Others say defining it as only the science of the human mind is too broad. **The dilemma** - **Defining psychology based on etymology:** This emphasizes its origins, but might not reflect its full scope. - **Defining psychology based solely on behavior:** This approach lacks the internal aspects of humanity. - **Defining psychology solely as a human science:** This excludes the study of animal behavior and limits its application to the study of human behavior. **The need for nuance:** - **A good definition must strike a balance between external and internal aspects of behavior and mental processes.** - It should also encompass the study of both humans and animals. - There's no easy answer, and the definition of psychology will likely continue to be debated and evolve.