Which of the following best defines the field of psychology?

• A. The analysis of historical events and their impact on society
• B. The study of physical health and disease prevention
• C. The practice of diagnosing and treating physical injuries
• D. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that psychology is a scientific discipline focused on studying behavior and mental processes, rather than historical events, physical health, or medical treatment.
2. Step 2: Recognize that behavior refers to observable actions of individuals, while mental processes include internal experiences such as thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.
3. Step 3: Differentiate psychology from other fields by noting that it uses scientific methods to investigate how and why people behave and think the way they do.
4. Step 4: Review the given options and identify that the correct definition must encompass both behavior and mental processes studied scientifically.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of psychology is 'The scientific study of behavior and mental processes' because it accurately captures the scope and method of the field.