Question

Explain the goals of Psychology.

Answer 1

Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour and mental process. The goals of psychology include.

1. Describe behaviour - The primary goal of psychological research is to identify, classify and describe the behaviour or mental process as accurately and completely as possible. This requires the use of psychological tools like survey methods, systematic observation, psychological tests, experiments etc.
2. Explanation of behaviour - This goal attempts to understand the causes of some observed behaviour i.e. why some behaviour pattern has occurred. If the behaviour is observed in many persons, it can be generalized to the entire population.
3. Prediction of behaviour - Researchers aim to identify specific conditions in which a particular behaviour will occur as well as the possible outcomes of such behaviour.
4. Control behaviour - This goal aims at influencing/modifying behaviour in a particular direction. Researchers may apply psychotherapeutic techniques to prevent undesirable behaviour and bring about desirable behaviour.