From two Greek words: psyche, which means mind or soul, and logos, which means study, the science of Psychology has been studied and defined by many people throughout the ages. Hilgard, Morgan, Silverman, and Schlesinger are just a few. A careful analysis of their earlier definitions of psychology reveals commonalities: psychology is the scientific study of the behaviors of living organisms; the term behavior should not be attributed solely to man’s physical reactions and observable behavior; and thoughts, feelings, and attitudes are also connected with the term behavior.

The main objectives of Psychology are mainly to describe, identify, understand and explain behavior, know its factors and control or change behavior. Psychologists often apply their knowledge and understanding of human behavior to solve problems and help in our society. Different areas of specialization in Psychology are studied to provide a better understanding of this science.

Among these are the traditional fields consisting primarily of: Clinical Psychology which deals with the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of psychological problems. It is also related to Psychiatry that concerns more serious problems; Counseling in Psychology that deals with administering, storing and interpreting psychological tests; Educational or school psychology concerned with student learning and adjustment; Community psychology that deals with the problems of the elderly, prisoners and other problems in the community.

It also focuses on providing accessible care to these individuals; Social Psychology that deals with the behavior of man individually and in groups; Industrial or Organizational Psychology that deals with the problems of people in the workplace; Personality psychology that deals with the uniqueness of a person; Developmental Psychology that deals with the factors that affect human groups; Experimental Psychology that focuses on the basis of scientific research; Physiological Psychology that deals with the functions of the brain; and Comparative Psychology that points to the differences of the species.

Apart from these, various branches of Psychology were discovered during the 1970s. Forensic Psychology deals with legal, judicial and correctional systems. Environmental Psychology is primarily concerned with issues related to the environment. Computer science, on the other hand, uses computer programming for behavior analysis. There is also Engineering Psychology that seeks to establish the relationship between man and machines; and Psychopharmacology, which deals with the relationship between behavior and drugs.

In addition, the latest recently developed fields of Psychology consist of: Health Psychology, which focuses on multidimensional approaches emphasizing lifestyle and health care systems; Sports Psychology that applies psychological principles to improve performance and enjoy participation; Cross-cultural psychology that examines the role of culture in understanding behavior, thoughts, and emotions; and Women’s Psychology, which emphasizes the importance of promoting research and the study of women.