Which of the following best defines psychology as a scientific discipline?

• A. The practice of diagnosing and treating physical illnesses
• B. The analysis of chemical reactions in the body
• C. The study of the structure of the human brain only
• D. The study of behavior and mental processes

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that psychology is a scientific discipline focused on studying behavior and mental processes, rather than physical illnesses or purely biological structures.
2. Recognize that psychology involves systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis to understand how people think, feel, and act.
3. Differentiate psychology from related fields such as medicine (which diagnoses and treats physical illnesses) and biology or chemistry (which analyze chemical reactions).
4. Note that while the brain's structure is important, psychology encompasses more than just the brain; it includes mental processes and observable behaviors.
5. Conclude that the best definition of psychology is 'the study of behavior and mental processes' because it captures the broad scope and scientific nature of the field.