Psychology is the study of the mind, occurring partly via [1][2] the study of behavior.

Grounded in scientific [1][2] method, psychology has the immediate goal of understanding individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific [3][4] cases, and for many it ultimately aims to benefit [5][6] society. In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is called a psychologist, and can be classified as a social, behavioral, or cognitive scientist. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior, while also exploring the physiological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain cognitive functions and behaviors. Psychologists explore such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenol ogy, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. Psychologists of diverse stripes also consider the unconscious [7] mind. Psychologists employ empirical methods to infer causal and correlational relationships between psychosocial variables. In addition, or in opposition, to employing empirical and deductive methods, some especially clinical and counseling psychologistsat times rely upon symbolic interpretation and other inductive techniques. Psychology has been [8] described as a "hub science", with psychological findings linking to research and perspectives from the social sciences, natural sciences, medicine, and the humanities, such as philosophy. While psychological knowledge is often applied to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, it is also applied to understanding and solving problems in many different spheres of human activity. The majority of psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role, practicing in clinical, counseling, or school settings. Many do scientific research on a wide range of topics related to mental processes and behavior, and typically work in university psychology departments or teach in other academic settings. Some are employed in industrial and [9] organizational settings, or in other areas such as human development and aging, sports, health, and the media, as well as inforensic analysis and other aspects of law.

looks at psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsession-compulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. 2. Behavioral Psychology Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. While this branch of psychology dominated the field during the first part of the twentieth century, its hold loosened during the 1950s. However, behavioral techniques remain a mainstay in therapy, education and many other areas. 3. Biopsychology The branch of psychology focused on the study of how the brain influences behavior is often known as biopsychology, although it has also been called physiological psychology, behavioral neuroscience and psychobiology. 4. Cognitive Psychology Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology that focuses on internal states, such as motivation, problem solving, decision-making, thinking, and attention. This area of psychology has continued to grow since it began taking hold in the 1960s. 5. Comparative Psychology Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal behavior. The study of animal behavior can lead to a deeper and broader understanding of human psychology. 6. Developmental Psychology This branch of psychology looks at development throughout the lifespan, from childhood to adulthood. The scientific study of human development seeks to understand and explain how and why people change throughout life. This includes all aspects of human growth, including physical, emotional, intellectual, social, perceptual, and personality development. Topics studied in this field include everything from prenatal development to Alzheimer's disease. 7. Educational Psychology Educational psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with schools, teaching psychology, educational issues, and student concerns. Educational psychologists often study how students learn or work directly with students, parents, teachers and administrators to improve student outcomes. 8. Experimental Psychology Experimental psychology is the branch of psychology that utilizes scientific methods to research the brain and behavior. Many of these techniques are also used by other areas in psychology to conduct research on everything from childhood development to social issues.

1. Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that

9. Personality Psychology This branch of psychology is focused on the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that make a person unique. Some of the best-known theories in psychology have arisen from this field, including Freud's stage theory of psychosexual development and Erikson's theory of psychosocial development. 10. Social Psychology Social psychology seeks to explain and understand social behavior and looks at diverse topics including group behavior, social interactions, leadership, nonverbal communication and social influences on decision-making.

independent scientific discipline in Germany and the United States. Psychology borders on various other fields including physiology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, sociology, anthropology, as well as philosophy and other components of the humanities.

Natural: Here spontaneous behavior is recorded in a natural setting. Controlled: behavior is observed under controlled laboratory conditions (e.g. Bandura Bobo doll).

Psychology is a vast field with a plenitude of topics to be included in this social science. In the literal sense, it means 'study of the mind'. Nevertheless there are several approaches and schools of thoughts ofpsychology that were established by early psychologists in accordance with their respective modes ofresearch and study, the gist of which is discussed below: Biological perspective: The psychological model that studies the role of biological functioning in the shaping of behavior pronounces the realm of the biological perspective or the biological school of thought. Psychodynamic perspective: The psychological model formed on the belief that behavior is shaped by inner forces over which the individual has little control and about which the individual has little awareness. Cognitive perspective: The psychological model based on the concept that behavior is directed by the way we know, understand and think about the world. Behavioural perspective: This perspective suggests that the external environment is the major determinant in shaping behavior. Humanistic perspective: In the light of this perspective, people have full control over their lives and they are solely responsible for shaping their thoughts, ideas, behavior and a

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 ofphilosophy until the 1870s, when it developed as an