Psychology's Diverse Disciplines
Psychology is not monolithic. It encompasses various disciplines such as clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial-organizational, and social psychology, each focusing on different aspects of human behavior and mental processes.
The Brain's Plasticity
Contrary to past beliefs, our brains can reorganize themselves structurally and functionally throughout life due to learning and experience, a phenomenon known as neuroplasticity.
Emotions and Decision Making
Emotions profoundly influence our decisions. The somatic marker hypothesis suggests that emotional processes guide behavior, particularly decision-making under uncertainty.
Cognitive Biases and Errors
Our thinking is prone to systematic errors like confirmation bias, where we favor information that confirms our preconceptions, often leading to statistical and reasoning errors.
Misconceptions of Memory
Memory isn't a flawless recording of events. It's constructive and can be altered with each recall. False memories can be implanted and feel indistinguishable from true memories.
Invisible Influence of Others
Social psychology reveals how the presence, opinions, and behaviors of others can profoundly influence our own, often without conscious awareness, through conformity, obedience, and groupthink.
Therapy's Evolution
Psychotherapy has evolved from Freud's psychoanalysis to evidence-based practices like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which are more structured and often more effective in treating psychological disorders.
Which discipline focuses on workplace behavior?
Clinical psychology
Social psychology
Industrial-organizational psychology
Company
