Which of the following best defines psychology as studied in AP Psychology Unit 1?

• A. The analysis of unconscious motives through dream interpretation
• B. The practice of diagnosing and treating mental disorders exclusively
• C. The study of the structure and function of the human brain only
• D. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that psychology is a broad scientific discipline focused on studying both behavior and mental processes, not limited to just one aspect like brain structure or therapy.
2. Recognize that psychology uses empirical methods to investigate how people think, feel, and act, which distinguishes it from approaches that rely solely on interpretation or clinical practice.
3. Eliminate options that focus exclusively on unconscious motives, clinical diagnosis, or brain structure, as these represent only parts of psychology or related fields.
4. Identify the definition that encompasses the scientific study of both observable behaviors and internal mental processes, reflecting the comprehensive scope of psychology.
5. Conclude that the best definition of psychology in the context of AP Psychology Unit 1 is 'The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.'