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Psychology Notes pg. 1-17

Chris Wu

Psychology: the science that seeks to understand behavior and mental processes and to

apply that understanding in the service of human well-being.

• Some psychologists focus on studying negative behavior and mental processes

while others study what goes right (positive psychology)

• Biological psychologists (physiological psychologists) use high tech scanningdevices to study how biological processes in the brain and other organs affect, and

are affected by, behavior and mental processes.

• Developmental psychologists describe the changes in behavior and mental processes that occur from birth through old and age and try to understand the

causes and effects of those changes.

• Cognitive psychologists (experimental psychologists) study mental abilities such

as sensation and perception, learning and memory, thinking, consciousness,

intelligence, and creativity.o Applications of cognitive psychological research include: engineering

psychology —aka human factors like computer keyboards, mobile phones,

internet websites, etc. are made more logical and easier to use

• Personality psychologists study similarities and differences among people. Use

tests, interviews, and other methods to compare individuals on characteristics.

• Clinical and counseling psychologists conduct research on the causes of mentaldisorders and offer services to help troubled people overcome their disorders.

• Community psychologists work to ensure that psychological services reach the

homeless and others who need help but cannot seek it. Also work with communityleaders and neighborhood organizations to improve stressful conditions, which

would otherwise often lead to disorders.• Health psychologists study the effects of behavior on health, as well as the

effects that illness has on people’s behavior and emotions. The research isapplied in programs to help people cope with their illnesses.

• Educational psychologists conduct research and develop theories about teaching

and learning. The research is applied in programs like teacher training andrefining school curricula.

• School psychologists traditionally specialized in IQ testing, diagnosing learning

disabilities and other academic problems, and setting up programs to improvesstudents’ achievement and satisfaction in school. Today they are involved in

activities such as early detection of students’ mental health problems and crisis

intervention following school violence.

• Social psychologists study the ways that people think about themselves and

others and how people influence one another. Research has been applied to

 public health campaigns.

• Industrial/organizational psychologists study leadership, stress, competition, pay scales, and other factors that affect the efficiency, productivity, and

satisfaction of workers and the organizations that employ them.

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• Quantitative psychologists develop and use statistical tools to analyze vast

amounts of data collected by their colleagues in many other subfields.

• Sport psychologists use visualization and relaxation training programs to helpathletes with anxiety, focus attention, and other changes to help better their 

 performance.

• Forensic psychologists assist in jury selection, evaluate defendants’ mentalcompetence to stand trial, and deal with other issues involving psychology and the

law.

• Environmental psychologists study the effects of the environment on people’s behavior and mental processes.