Understanding Psychology: A Comprehensive Look at Its Branches and Applications

Definition of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human activity. It is considered a science because it attempts to approach its subject matter according to the requirements of scientific methodology (formulating hypotheses, comparing them, etc.). The study of human psychology includes the study of behavior (observable behavior such as movement, verbal behavior, nonverbal behavior, etc.), cognitive processes, and emotions.

Research in Psychology

The scientific study to which we referred above typically includes a series of stages:

• Formulation of the problem
• Formulating hypotheses or objectives
• Defining the variables
• Establishment of research design
• Execution of research design
• Obtaining results
• Data analysis
• Drawing conclusions

A final stage of this procedure includes publicizing the conclusions reached.

Main Theoretical Frameworks in Psychology

The major theoretical frameworks in psychology are psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and cognitivism.

Psychoanalysis

Psychoanalysis is a theoretical current that emerged at the end of the 19th century. It starts from a medical point of view and understands that culture and society repress the natural instincts of human beings. From this point of view, its object of study is the deviations of human behavior from an intrapsychic perspective.

Behaviorism

The theoretical current of behaviorism was born at the beginning of the 20th century and focuses on the study of observable behavior. From this standpoint, the main object of study is the laws that govern learning.

Cognitivism

Cognitivism focuses on the study of mental processes. From this point of view, it devotes its efforts to explaining the functioning of cognitive processes such as perception or thought.

The Biopsychosocial Model

This model considers health and disease to be the poles of a continuum and are determined by biological, psychological, and social factors. That is, health must be understood as a process whereby a person develops the best of their ability. It is a relative status involving both individual and social and cultural aspects. Therefore, it is a matter of degree on a continuous scale, with health at one end, disease at the other, and many variations in between.

Relevance of Applied Psychology in Health

The inclusion of psychology in the health field stems not only from a desire but is the result of the change in the conceptualization of health and health systems. Specifically, the factors that have contributed to the integration of psychology and psychologists in the health field are:

• The biopsychosocial concept of health, which implies the need to incorporate social and psychological factors.
• The change in the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality. As a result, it is evident that what people do is an important determinant of health and disease, and this creates the appearance of a new type of disease: the chronic patient.
• The growth of health spending is not accompanied by improvements in health status.
• The application of assessment procedures and psychological treatment, especially those derived from cognitive and behavioral therapies, in many health problems with highly positive results.

Definition of Health Psychology

While health psychology focuses on physical illness and the emotional problems resulting from it, the issue of mental health is the focus of clinical psychology.