Psychology is the scientific study of
behaviour and experience-that is, the study of how human
beings and animals sense, think, learn, and know. Modern
psychology is devoted to collecting facts about behaviour
and experience and systematically organizing such facts
into psychological theories. These theories aid in understanding
and explaining people's behaviour and sometimes in predicting
and influencing their future behaviour.
Psychology, historically, has been divided into many
sub fields of study; these fields, however, are interrelated
and frequently overlap. Physiological psychologists,
for instance, study the functioning of the brain and
the nervous system, and experimental psychologists devise
tests and conduct research to discover how people learn
and remember.
Sub fields of psychology may also be described in terms
of areas of application. Social psychologists, for example,
are interested in the ways in which people influence
one another and the way they act in groups.
Industrial psychologists study the behaviour of people
at work and the effects of the work environment.
School psychologists help students make educational
and career decisions. Clinical psychologists assist
those who have problems in daily life or who are mentally
ill.
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