Psychology-A Science — Important Questions

Description, Clarification, Prediction, Control

Psychology has four main aims: Description (describing behavior), Clarification (explaining why behavior occurs), Prediction (forecasting behavior), and Control (managing or changing behavior). Elimination is not an aim of psychology.

Behavioral approach

The behavioral approach, developed by Watson, emphasizes only observable and measurable behavior. It rejects the study of consciousness and internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed.

Uses scientific methods, Objective and verifiable, Uses controlled experiments

Psychology is a science because it uses scientific methods, maintains objectivity and verifiability, and employs controlled experiments. It does not rely on personal opinions or intuition alone.

Sigmund Freud

Sigmund Freud founded the psychodynamic approach, which emphasizes unconscious processes and the dynamic interaction between different parts of personality (Id, Ego, Superego).