CHAPTER 1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Student Guide:
Psychology Defined The purpose of this
guide is to help you
engage with textbook
_________ is defined as the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. content in a way that
Over the development of the field, what this has included has grown from a fosters critical thinking
focus on psychological ailments and personality to the study of motivation, and internalization of
emotion, cognition, learning, social relationships, and how our biological, the information.
social, and psychological systems influence each other.
We encourage you to
fill in the spaces in
Psychologists study _______________________________________. these pages as you are
reading through this
It is an increasingly complex area of study and is unique compared to other chapter.
sciences because it integrates many subdisciplines and perspectives to help
explain behavior and mental processes.
NOTES:
1
, Areas of Science Within Psychology
The study of psychology is
simultaneously a biological, social,
and behavioral science:
_________ psychologists are interested in how
genes, the brain, the nervous system, and the
endocrine system impact behavior.
_________ psychologists are interested in how
interpersonal and group dynamics affect
behavior, including specific topics like social
media, prejudice, religion, bullying, and criminal
Source: Brian Kelley
activity.
_________ psychologists study phenomena like
learning, memory, decision-making, rewards, and
behavioral modification.
NOTES:
2
, Psychology is also unique as a field of study because it is simultaneously a basic science, translational science, clinical
science, and prevention science.
Almost always, advances in basic science lay the groundwork for translational science that works to advance clinical science.
TERM DEFINITION ADDITIONAL INFO
Basic Science Science that aims to _________, _________, Often called research for the sake of knowledge. This research
_________, and _________ behavior with the helps explain the big “what” and “why” of a phenomenon.
goal of ________________________________. It is more focused on describing behavior and factors that
cause things to occur
Translational Science Science that builds upon the knowledge The goal of translational scientists is to translate the basic facts
obtained in basic science to create _________, about a phenomenon discovered by basic scientists into a
__________________, or _________. treatment or procedure to help some human condition.
Clinical Science Science that _________ and _________ specific This builds upon this translational research to improve the
treatments for conditions. human condition or one’s quality of life, often through
improving or creating specific treatments.
Clinical researchers are concerned with the big “how,” meaning
how we can use the information to make treatments or
interventions to help people—they are more concerned with
solving practical problems.
Prevention Science Science focused on studying how to _________ This is often an extension of clinical work in the sense that
and/or _________ negative medical, social, and scientists work to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of a
emotional impacts of phenomena _________ particular problem like depression or substance abuse.
they occur.
NOTES:
3
, GOALS OF THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY
There are two main goals of the field of psychology:
1. _________ _________ in psychological phenomena for the purpose of _________,
_________, _________, and _________ human behavior, cognition, and experience.
2. Use the knowledge gained from psychological research to ________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
Through promoting psychological science, The American Psychological Association (APA)
Association for Psychological Science (APS) also states that they promote research in
seeks to further our understanding of psychology for the purpose of making a positive
psychological principles for the purpose of impact on social and individual issues.
improving the welfare of individuals.
As reflected by both of these national organizations, the field of psychology aims to understand
psychological phenomena for the purpose of improving the welfare of all people.
NOTES:
4
Student Guide:
Psychology Defined The purpose of this
guide is to help you
engage with textbook
_________ is defined as the scientific study of the mind and human behavior. content in a way that
Over the development of the field, what this has included has grown from a fosters critical thinking
focus on psychological ailments and personality to the study of motivation, and internalization of
emotion, cognition, learning, social relationships, and how our biological, the information.
social, and psychological systems influence each other.
We encourage you to
fill in the spaces in
Psychologists study _______________________________________. these pages as you are
reading through this
It is an increasingly complex area of study and is unique compared to other chapter.
sciences because it integrates many subdisciplines and perspectives to help
explain behavior and mental processes.
NOTES:
1
, Areas of Science Within Psychology
The study of psychology is
simultaneously a biological, social,
and behavioral science:
_________ psychologists are interested in how
genes, the brain, the nervous system, and the
endocrine system impact behavior.
_________ psychologists are interested in how
interpersonal and group dynamics affect
behavior, including specific topics like social
media, prejudice, religion, bullying, and criminal
Source: Brian Kelley
activity.
_________ psychologists study phenomena like
learning, memory, decision-making, rewards, and
behavioral modification.
NOTES:
2
, Psychology is also unique as a field of study because it is simultaneously a basic science, translational science, clinical
science, and prevention science.
Almost always, advances in basic science lay the groundwork for translational science that works to advance clinical science.
TERM DEFINITION ADDITIONAL INFO
Basic Science Science that aims to _________, _________, Often called research for the sake of knowledge. This research
_________, and _________ behavior with the helps explain the big “what” and “why” of a phenomenon.
goal of ________________________________. It is more focused on describing behavior and factors that
cause things to occur
Translational Science Science that builds upon the knowledge The goal of translational scientists is to translate the basic facts
obtained in basic science to create _________, about a phenomenon discovered by basic scientists into a
__________________, or _________. treatment or procedure to help some human condition.
Clinical Science Science that _________ and _________ specific This builds upon this translational research to improve the
treatments for conditions. human condition or one’s quality of life, often through
improving or creating specific treatments.
Clinical researchers are concerned with the big “how,” meaning
how we can use the information to make treatments or
interventions to help people—they are more concerned with
solving practical problems.
Prevention Science Science focused on studying how to _________ This is often an extension of clinical work in the sense that
and/or _________ negative medical, social, and scientists work to prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of a
emotional impacts of phenomena _________ particular problem like depression or substance abuse.
they occur.
NOTES:
3
, GOALS OF THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY
There are two main goals of the field of psychology:
1. _________ _________ in psychological phenomena for the purpose of _________,
_________, _________, and _________ human behavior, cognition, and experience.
2. Use the knowledge gained from psychological research to ________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.
Through promoting psychological science, The American Psychological Association (APA)
Association for Psychological Science (APS) also states that they promote research in
seeks to further our understanding of psychology for the purpose of making a positive
psychological principles for the purpose of impact on social and individual issues.
improving the welfare of individuals.
As reflected by both of these national organizations, the field of psychology aims to understand
psychological phenomena for the purpose of improving the welfare of all people.
NOTES:
4
