Goals of Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior
The goals of psychology are multifaceted, concerning now not just knowledge and explaining behavior but additionally predicting and influencing it.
This blog delves into the main goals of psychology, supplying examples and detailed insights into how these dreams are carried out in various contexts, such as schooling and medical settings.
As we know, psychology scientifically studies the behavior and cognitive processes of humans and animals. There are some hidden goals behind such a study.
Table of Contents
The main three goals of psychology are as follows:-
Measurement and Description:
The first goal of psychology is to understand the meaning of living beings.
Behavioral and cognitive processes have to be described and then measured. To describe major psychological processes like behavior, learning, attitude, ability, intelligence, etc., it is necessary to measure them first. Many types of tests are required to measure it.
Therefore, one of the main goals of psychology is to develop tests or special techniques to detect psychological processes.
In any psychological test or technique, it is mandatory to have at least two qualities – reliability and validity. Reliability means that there is no change in the person’s score after repeated measurement.
For example, If an intelligence test, whilst administered to an identical man or woman, gives excessive ratings at one time and low ratings yet again, then it’s going to not be considered reliable.
Yes, if the identical score comes at the take a look at both the times, it will likely be referred to as reliability. But credibility by myself isn’t sufficient. The test should also have the quality of validity. The validity method that they take a look at is measuring what it’s far designed to a degree.
For instance, if someone measures the IQ of someone by measuring the circumference of his head through the usage of a period measuring tape, and whenever he does this, he receives an identical rating but he no longer measures the validity.
It will be because the method of measurement i.e. grandson has no relation with the measurement of intelligence. Yes. If it were measured by some good intelligence test, it would have validity.
After measuring, psychologists also describe that behavior. For example, if a person is measured by an intelligence test If the intelligence quotient of a person is 130, then psychologists understand that he has a sharp mind and can behave intelligently in different situations.
Prediction and Control:
The second goal of psychology is to predict behavior so that it can be controlled properly. As far as prediction is concerned, its success depends on the success of measurement.
Generally, psychologists predict what a person can do and how he can do it in a particular situation on the basis of measurement of past behavior.
For example, if we know accurately about a student by measuring his general intellectual level, then we can easily predict his performance in school. Similarly, by measuring the aptitude of a person, psychologists predict in what work the person can be employed so that he can get maximum success.
Some psychologists have also measured interest, apart from ability, to make predictions about human behavior. By measuring a person’s aptitude, psychologists predict what kind of job it would be best to engage the person in so that he can achieve maximum success.
In reality, prediction and control go together and whenever a psychologist predicts any behavior, his objective is also to control that behavior.
For example, a psychiatrist controls and changes the behavior of the patient so that a prediction can be made about him, an industrial psychologist controls the behavior of his employees so that they can make accurate predictions about him. It became clear that psychologists do the work of prediction and control simultaneously.
Explanation:
The ultimate goal of psychology is to explain human behavior.
To explain the phenomena, psychologists create some theories so that they can be explained scientifically. Can be done properly. Such theories organize facts from known sources and help the psychologist to understand the situation.
Helps in making rational guesses where they do not know the correct answer. Some people believe that human behavior
Explaining is the most intelligent goal of psychology because unless psychologists are able to explain why a person is behaving in a certain way, why a certain measurement method is working, then they cannot accurately predict that behavior. nor is it possible to control it properly.
It became clear that psychology has three goals and these three goals are related to each other. unless some behavior.
It is not measured and described properly, we cannot make any good prediction about it, nor is it possible to control it. Even if we somehow predict such behavior, we will not be able to explain it scientifically, that is, under any theory.
Conclusion
The goals of psychology in details, explaining, predicting, and influencing conduct. These dreams are applied across numerous domain names, which includes schooling, clinical settings, and studies, to enhance the human enjoy.
By achieving those goals, psychologists can assist individuals lead more healthy, greater satisfying lives. Whether through knowledge the intricacies of student conduct or growing powerful remedies for mental health problems, goals of psychology are quintessential to advancing our information and enhancing societal nicely-being.
In precis, goals of psychology aren’t simply theoretical constructs but practical tools that help us navigate and beautify the complexities of human conduct. Through continued research and application, psychology will retain to play a important role in shaping a better future for all.
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FAQs: Goals of psychology
What are the main goals of psychology?
The principal goals of psychology are to explain, provide an explanation for, expect, and manipulate conduct and intellectual procedures. These desires help psychologists understand how human beings suppose, feel, and act, and the way they could improve intellectual health and well-being.
How does psychology describe behavior?
Psychology describes behavior by using looking at and noting how people and animals respond to distinctive situations. Descriptive studies, case research, and observational studies are commonplace techniques used to gather these statistics.
What is the purpose of explaining behavior in psychology?
Explaining conduct includes identifying the causes and motives behind actions and mental methods. This enables the knowledge of the underlying mechanisms and factors that impact behavior, such as organic, psychological, and social factors.
How do psychologists predict behavior?
Psychologists predict conduct with the aid of figuring out patterns and the usage of hooked-up theories and models to assume how people are in all likelihood to act in specific conditions. Predictive studies frequently entail statistical strategies and longitudinal studies.
What does controlling conduct imply in psychology?
Controlling behavior refers to using psychological knowledge to steer or trade conduct in a high-quality manner. This can involve interventions, remedies, and strategies designed to help individuals manage or alter their actions and intellectual processes for higher outcomes.