Four Goals of Psychology
FOUR GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Four Goals of Psychology
Bernadette A. Bobian
PSY-102
12/18/2010
Four Goals of Psychology
The four goals of psychology are to describe, understand, predict, and control behavior (Coon and Mitterer, 2007, p 15). Psychologist goals are to study psychology and search for facts and information that can give an advantage to humankind. By the studying of Psychology it helps to understand and explain behaviors of individuals as well as our self’s. The explanation of why they happen and the why people’s behaviors alter. The first goal of psychology is to describe, meaning to explain an individual’s behavior. For example maybe for an individual to become angry, it would be important for psychologist to depict the person’s manners. Even to be able to describe what emotions a person is illustrating may give explanation to the second goal of psychology which would be to understand. The second goal of psychology is to understand, to be able to explain why those processes occur in an individual. To be able to understand would be very important in order to be able to predict an individual’s behavior. If we understand a person’s behavior this would give insight to explain what kind of situations may develop this individual to demonstrate these kinds of behavior again. In this, it would help to predict behavior. The third goal of psychology is predict, meaning to be able to expect future events. I believe the first two goals of psychology would come into play in order to predict a behavior. This would include describing behavior and understanding the behavior. The fourth goal of psychology is control behavior, to be able to control and change a person’s behaviors and mental processes. To be able to control or alter behavior could be of assistance to individuals of society. Along the lines of even how individuals communicate and treat each other. Being able to be more considerate of others and
Four Goals of Psychology
Bernadette A. Bobian
PSY-102
12/18/2010
Four Goals of Psychology
The four goals of psychology are to describe, understand, predict, and control behavior (Coon and Mitterer, 2007, p 15). Psychologist goals are to study psychology and search for facts and information that can give an advantage to humankind. By the studying of Psychology it helps to understand and explain behaviors of individuals as well as our self’s. The explanation of why they happen and the why people’s behaviors alter. The first goal of psychology is to describe, meaning to explain an individual’s behavior. For example maybe for an individual to become angry, it would be important for psychologist to depict the person’s manners. Even to be able to describe what emotions a person is illustrating may give explanation to the second goal of psychology which would be to understand. The second goal of psychology is to understand, to be able to explain why those processes occur in an individual. To be able to understand would be very important in order to be able to predict an individual’s behavior. If we understand a person’s behavior this would give insight to explain what kind of situations may develop this individual to demonstrate these kinds of behavior again. In this, it would help to predict behavior. The third goal of psychology is predict, meaning to be able to expect future events. I believe the first two goals of psychology would come into play in order to predict a behavior. This would include describing behavior and understanding the behavior. The fourth goal of psychology is control behavior, to be able to control and change a person’s behaviors and mental processes. To be able to control or alter behavior could be of assistance to individuals of society. Along the lines of even how individuals communicate and treat each other. Being able to be more considerate of others and
References: Four Goals of Psychology, (Coon and Mitterer, 2007, p 15) Cavella, Comstorne. "What Are the Four Goals of Psychology?." ehow. N.p., 11-12-2010. Web. 19 Dec 2010. .