chap 1: introduction

what are the definitions of psychology?

Answer explanation

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

why study psychology?

Answer explanation

psychology helps us scientifically evaluate common beliefs and misconceptions about behaviour and mental processes

what are the 10 fields of psychology?

Answer explanation

clinical, counselling, developmental, educational, industrial and organizational(I/O), biopsychology/ neuroscience, cognitive, forensic, social, gender and cultural

what do clinical psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders

• -attend to behavioral problems and emotional problems

• -interview clients or guardians of clients

• -conduct psychological tests

• -conduct group or individual psychotherapy

what do counsellor do?

Answer explanation

-attend to less severe behavioural and emotional problems as compared to clinical psychologists

-conduct interviews, testing and therapy as part of the treatment

-addresses issues performing to family, career and relationships

what do developmental psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-studies human development, from conception to death

-focuses on either one of these areas: infanthood, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age

what do educational psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-improves educational processes, including curriculum, achievement testing and training teachers and staff

• counsel students

• - work with parents and teachers

what do industrial and organizational psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-apply principles of psychology in the workplace

-work with businesses and industries

-is involved in personnel selection and evaluation, leadership, job satisfaction, employee motivation, group processes, etc

what do health psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-studies how biological, psychological and social factors affect health and illness

-goals: to promote and maintain health, to prevent illness (focussing on causes an detection on illnesses) and to improve the healthcare system

what do cognitive psychologists do?

Answer explanation

-investigates higher mental processes

-studies memory, reasoning, information processing, language, problem-solving, decision-making, creativity, critical thinking, rationalising