What Are the Four Goals of Psychology?

Psychology is the social science of the human mind and its interaction with its environment. Since its modern development in the 19th century, psychology has developed into an analytical and predictive science with numerous subfields. As with any science, especially the social sciences, there are limitations to the scope of the field, yet psychology has made significant advances by focusing on its core goals: description, explanation, prediction and changing behavior.

Description

By describing behavior, psychologists attempt to understand what is normal and acceptable and what is unhealthy. Behavior observed includes thoughts, feelings, attitudes, goals, motivation, actions and reactions. Psychologists explain human behavior through methods such as case studies, observation, surveys, testing and correlational studies.

Explanation

Psychologists' attempts to explain behavior reflect the fundamental goal of all science--understanding our universe and our place in it. Several theorists, from Freud and Jung to Skinner and Rogers, have offered various theories to explain personality, development and motivation. Explanations are limited, of course, because they often are culturally restricted; that is, one explanation might not explain similar behavior in another culture or society. Explanation is often determined through qualitative and quantitative observation, including experimentation.

Prediction

Psychology also attempts to predict behavior. The purpose of prediction is to determine when an individual will make healthy or unhealthy choices or how an individual will perform within environment and stimuli. Consider the advantages of predicting whether a student will be successful at a certain college, based on past behavior in a similar environment. Though prediction is not foolproof, it can permit institutions and individuals to make more informed decisions choices about their futures.

Changing Behavior

Modifying behavior can be healthy or unhealthy, but within ethical constraints, psychology attempts to voluntarily encourage individuals and groups to modify behavior for long-term healthy gain. Personality and development theories differ as to how best to encourage behavior changes. Some behaviorists believe in repetitive reinforcement, while positivists believe in honest cognitive discourse. Psychology can be used in education, social correction and organizational structures to elicit preferred behavior and attitudes.

Limitations

As with any science, and especially in social science, psychology is limited within its own goals. The description of one individual, for example, cannot predict the behavior of a group. Using experimentation and statistical analysis and drawing upon multiple sources, psychology continues to develop, however, into a respected field of study that aims to benefit all of us.

References

• "Schaum's Outline of Theory and Problems of Introduction to Psychology"; Arno F Witting; 2001

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