The history of psychology as a scholarly study of the mind and

behavior dates back to the Ancient Greeks. There is also evidence of

psychological thought in ancient Egypt. Psychology was a branch
of philosophy until the 1870s, when it developed as an independent
scientific discipline in Germany and the United States. Psychology
borders on various other fields
includingphysiology, neuroscience, artificial
intelligence, sociology, anthropology, as well as philosophy and other
components of the humanities.
Today, psychology is defined as "the study of behavior and mental
processes". Philosophical interest in the mind and behavior dates
back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Greece, China,
and India

BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY
Abnormal Psychology: This explores psychopathology and
abnormal behavior. Examples of disorders covered in this field include
depression, OCD, sexual deviation and dissociative disorder.
Biopsychology: This looks at the role the brain and
neurotransmitters play in influencing our thoughts, feelings and
behaviours. It combines neuroscience and the study of basic
psychology.
Clinical Psychology: The focus here is the assessment and
appropriate treatment of mental illness and abnormal behaviours.
Cognitive Psychology: This branch of psychology focuses attention
on perception and mental processes. For example, it looks at how
people think about and process experiences and events their
automatic thoughts and core beliefs. Also, how they learn, remember
and retrieve information.
Comparative Psychology: This field of psychology studies animal
behavior. Comparative psychologists work closely with biologists,
ecologists, anthropologists, and geneticists.
Counseling Psychology: Here, the focus is on providing therapeutic
interventions for clients who are struggling with some mental, social,
emotional or behavioural issue. It also looks at living well, so people
reach their maximum potential in life.
Developmental Psychology: This looks at lifespan human
development, from the cradle to the grave. It looks at what changes,
and what stays the same, or even deteriorates over time. Also, whether
growth and change is continuous, or is associated with certain ages
and stages. Another area of interest is the interaction of genes and the
environment.
Educational Psychology: This focuses attention on learning,
remembering, performing and achieving. It includes the effects of
individual differences, gifted learners and learning disabilities.
Experimental Psychology: Although all of psychology emphasises
the central importance of the scientific method, designing and
applying experimental techniques, then analysing and interpreting the
results is the main job of experimental psychologists. They work in a
wide range of settings, including schools, colleges, universities,
research centers, government organisation and private businesses and
enterprises.
Forensic Psychology: Psychology and the law intersect in this field.
It is where psychologists (clinical psychologists, neurologists,
counselling psychologists etc) share their professional expertise in
legal or criminal cases.
Health Psychology: This branch of psychology promotes physical,
mental and emotional health including preventative and restorative
strategies. It looks at how people deal with stress, and cope with and
recover from, illnesses.
Human Factors Psychology: This is an umbrella category that
looks at such areas as ergonomics, workplace safety, human error,
product design, and the interaction of humans and machines.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology: This applies findings
from theoretical psychology to the workplace. Its goal is increasing
employee satisfaction, performance, productivity and matching
positions to employees strengths. Other areas of interest are group
dynamics, and the development of leadership skills.
Social Psychology: This is what many people think of when they
hear the word psychology. It includes the study of group behaviour,
social norms, conformity, prejudice, nonverbal behaviour/ body
language, and aggression.
Sports Psychology: This area investigates how to increase and
maintain motivation, the factors that contribute to peak performance,
and how being active can enhance our lives.


Modern Approaches
Biological approach - Examines how our genes, hormones, & nervous system
interact with our environment.
Cognitive approach - Focuses on how we process,
store,& use information.
Behavioral approach - Analysis of how learning occurs
based upon reward & punishment.

Subsets: B. F. Skinner (strict behaviorism)
Albert Bandura (adds social cognition)

Psychoanalytic approach - Based on the belief that childhood experiences
greatly influence the development of later personality traits & psychological
problems. From Sigmund Freud's work.
Humanistic approach - emphasizes individual freedom in directing a one's
future. Developed in part as a result of Abraham Maslow's dissatisfaction with
psychoanalysis & behaviorism
Cross-cultural approach - Studies the influence of cultural & ethnic similarities
& differences.
Evolutionary approach - Studies how evolutionary ideas, such as adaptation &
natural selection, explain behaviors & mental processes.





Health-related fitness incorporates the five major components
of fitness related to improved health:
Cardio-respiratory endurance is the ability of the blood
vessels, heart, and lungs to take in, transport, and utilize
oxygen. This is a critically important component of fitness
because it impacts other components of fitness and
decreases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Muscular strength is the maximum amount of force a muscle
or muscle group can exert.
Muscular endurance is the length of time a muscle or muscle
group can exert force prior to fatigue.
Flexibility refers to the range of motion in the joints.
Body composition shows the amount of fat versus lean mass
(bone, muscle, connective tissue, and fluids). While some fat
is essential for insulation and providing energy, too much fat
can cause serious health problems.

The Definitions to the 7 Components of Skill Related Fitness:
Agility: The ability to rapidly and accurately change the direction of the
whole body in space.
Balance: The ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary or moving.
Coordination: The ability to use the senses and body parts in order to
perform motor tasks smoothly and accurately.
Power: The amount of force a muscle can exert.
Reaction Time: The ability to respond quickly to stimuli.
Speed: The amount of time it takes the body to perform specific tasks.