Different Types of Behavior

Behavior refers to the actions and reactions of the individual when exposed or placed on a certain situation on environment. Behavior can be considered as: 1. Overt and Covert Overt behavior is a behavior which is observable and can be manifested outwardly (i.e. walking, playing, writing). On the other hand, covert behavior is a behavior of which actions that is not directly visible (i.e. lying, thinking, learning). 2. Conscious, Unconscious and Non-conscious Conscious behavior pertains to the actions that is within ones awareness (i.e., solving math problems mentally, all emotional feelings); while the unconscious are those actions done by an individual yet he is not aware of doing so (i.e. strives for hunger and thirst). Non-conscious behavior pertains to bodily activities, which may be detected by instruments or apparatus (i.e. blood pressure, pulse rate, digestion of food). 3. Rational and Irrational Rational behavior is manifested through an action is in the realm of sanity and adequate reasons (admiring an athlete because of his physique) and irrational behavior pertains to actions which are done without any apparent reason and explanation. 4. Voluntary and Involuntary Voluntary behavior is done with the mans full will and discretion while involuntary are those actions done automatically like breathing, digestion, and circulation of the blood. 5. Simple and Complex Behavior may also be considered as simple or complex based on the number of neurons involved in the process of behavior. Simple behavior utilizes fewer neurons as compared to the amount of neurons used in complex behavior.

Psychology and Other Sciences

Psychology is a branch of social science although it differs from the other social sciences such as: Sociology, Humanities, Political Science, History, or economics, because psychology specifically is engaged with the study of an individual and its processes. While other social sciences deals with the study of groups, or history, psychology is less a science of reported findings, as it attempts to ask and answer questions using observable behavior and what can be classified as mental processes of the subject. The following fields of science are closely related to psychology: 1. Biopsychology is the application of the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behavior. 2. Physiological Psychology is the study of neural mechanism of perception and behavior through direct manipulation of the brains of nonhuman animal subjects in controlled experiment. Later, the results are related to human behavior.

3. Psychiatry is a branch of medicine which exists to study, prevent, and treat mental disorders in humans. The art and science of the clinical application of psychiatry have been considered a bridge between the social word and those who are mentally ill. 4. Psychotherapy pertains to the application of specialized psychological methods to the treatment of diagnosed mental disorders or to the problems of a persons daily adjustment. 5. Psychotropic is a sub-field of medicine that deals with the various pharmacological agents such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, anti-manic, and anti-psychotic agents utilized to affect behavior, mood, and feelings. 6. Psychosurgery is a branch of medicine which involves the surgical severing and chemical alterations of brain fibers with the purpose of modifying psychological disturbances and other behavior aberrations. This is similar to the ancient method of brain extirpation. 7. Social Psychology merged the discipline of Sociology and Anthropology together with the basic premise about the common concern of psychology which is to study human behavior and mental processes. 8. Psycholinguistics or Psychology of Language is the study of the psychological and neurobiological factors that enable humans to acquire, use, and understand language.

Major Branches of Psychology/Theoretical Fields

There are number of unique and distinctive branches of psychology. Each branch looks at questions and problems from a different perspective. While each branch has its own focus on psychological problems or concerns, all areas share a common goal of studying and explaining human thought and behavior. The following are some of the major branches of psychology within the field: 1. Abnormal Psychology Abnormal psychology is the branch of psychology that looks at psychopathology and abnormal behavior. The term covers a broad range of disorders, from depression to obsessioncompulsion to sexual deviation and many more. Counselors, clinical psychologists, and psychotherapists often work directly in this field. 2. Behavioral Psychology The branch of 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 I 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 psychological 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. 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 I psychology to conduct research on everything from childhood development to social issues. 9. Personality Psychology This branch of psychology focused on the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that make a person unique. Some of the best-known theories in psychology have arisen on the field, including Freuds stage of psychosexual development and Eriksons 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.

Applied Fields in Psychology

Psychologist specialize in a host of different areas within the field and identity themselves by many different labels. Also, psychologists teach psychology to undergraduate and graduate programs in universities. The field of psychology encompasses both research, through which we learn fundamental things about human and animal behavior, and practice, through which that knowledge is applied in helping to solve problems and promote healthy human development. In each of the subfields, there are psychologists who work primarily as researchers, others who work primarily as practitioner, and many who do both (scientist-practitioners). Clinical Psychologists give assessments and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. These range from short-term crises, such as difficulties resulting from adolescent rebellion, to more severe, chronic conditions such as schizophrenia. Cognitive and perceptual psychologists study human perception, thinking, and memory. They are also inclined to the study of reasoning, judgment, and decision making. Cognitive psychologists are interested to the questions such as, how does the mind represents reality? How do people learn? How do people understand and produce language? Counseling Psychologists help people recognize their strengths and resources to cope with their problems. Counseling psychologists do counseling/psychotherapy, teaching, and scientific research with individuals of ages, families, and organizations (e.g., schools, hospitals, businesses). Counseling psychologists also help people understand and take action on career and work problems. Developmental psychologists study the psychological development of the human being that takes place throughout life. Until recently, the primary focus was on childhood and adolescence, but as life expectancy in this country approaches 80 years, developmental psychologists are becoming increasingly interested in aging, especially in researching and developing ways to help elderly people stay as independent as possible. Educational psychologists concentrate on the study and research of effectiveness on how teaching and learning takes place. Engineering psychologists conduct researches on how people work best with machines. Most engineering psychologists work in industry and are often known as human factors specialists. Evolutionary psychologists study on how evolutionary principles such as mutation, adaptation, and selective fitness influences human thought, feeling, and behavior. Evolutionary psychologists also study mating, aggression, helping behavior, and communication. Experimental psychologists are interested in a wide range of psychological phenomena, including cognitive processes, comparative psychology (cross-species comparisons), learning and conditioning, and psychophysics. Experimental psychologists study both human and nonhuman animals with respect to their abilities to detect what is happening in a particular environment and to acquire and maintain responses to what is happening.

Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal issues. Their expertise is often essential in court. Forensic psychologists also conduct research on jury behavior or eyewitness testimony. Some forensic psychologists are trained in both psychology and the law. Health psychologists specialize in how biological, psychological, and social factors affect health and illness. They study how patients handl e illness; why some people dont follow medical advice; and the most effective ways to control pain or change poor health habits. They also develop health care strategies that foster emotional and physical well-being. Industrial/organizational psychologists apply psychological principles and research methods to the work place in the interest of improving productivity and the quality of work life. Many serve as human resources specialists, helping organizations with staffing, training, and employee development. Others work as management consultants in such areas as strategic planning, quality management, and coping with organizational change. Neuropsychologists and Behavioral Neuropsychologists explore the relationships between brain systems and behavior. They design tasks to study normal brain functions with new imaging techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Quantitative and measurement psychologists focus on methods and techniques for designing experiments and analyzing psychological data. Otherwise known as psychometricians, some develop new methods for performing analysis; others create research strategies to assess the effect of social and educational programs and psychological treatment. They develop and evaluate mathematical methods for psychological tests. They also propose methods for evaluating the quality and fairness of the tests. Rehabilitation psychologists works with stroke and accident victims, people with mental retardation, and those with developmental disabilities caused by such conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. They help clients adapt to their situation and deal with issues of personal adjustment. Interpersonal relations, the work world, and pain management. School psychologists work directly with public and private schools. They assess and counsel students, consult with parents and school staff, and conduct behavioral interventions when appropriate. Social psychologists study how a persons mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people. They are interested in all aspects of interpersonal relationships, including both individual and group influences, and seek ways to improve such interactions. Social psychologists are found in a variety of settings, from academic institutions (where they study consumer attitudes and preferences), to business and government agencies (where they help with a variety of problems in organization and management). Sports Psychologists help athletes refine their focus on competition goals, become more motivated, and learn to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that often accompany competition.