Section 1: Introduction to
Psychology
Section
2: Influence of Research on Psychology
Section
3: Experimental Research
Section
4: Types of Research
Influence
of Research on Psychology
Psychology is not an absolute science
and is often referred to as a 'Social Science' or a 'Soft Science.'
This is because it deals with human thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and
as we are all aware, humans are not always predictable and reliable.
Instead, we interact with our environment in ways that alter how we
behave, how we think,
and how we feel. Change one thing and the domino effect can change
everything else.
Nevertheless, research plays an extremely important role in psychology.
Research helps us understand what makes people think, feel, and act in
certain ways; allows us to categorize psychological disorders in order to
understand the symptoms and impact on the individual and society; helps us
to understand how intimate relationships, development, schools, family,
peers, and religion affect us as individuals and as a society; and helps
us to develop effective treatments to improve the quality of life of
individuals and groups.
In this sense, psychological research is typically used for the following:
Study development and external
factors and the role they play on individuals' mental health
Study people with specific
psychological disorders, symptoms, or characteristics
Develop tests to measure specific
psychological phenomenon
Develop
treatment approaches to improve individuals' mental health
In
the following sections, you will learn about how research is conducted and
the different types of research methods used to gather information.
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