Which statement best defines psychology?

• A. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
• B. The practice of diagnosing and prescribing medication for mental disorders.
• C. The study of how societies and institutions shape group behavior.
• D. The philosophical analysis of knowledge, reality, and morality.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that psychology is a scientific discipline focused on studying both observable behaviors and internal mental processes such as thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.
2. Step 2: Recognize that psychology uses empirical methods to investigate how individuals think, feel, and behave, distinguishing it from purely philosophical or sociological approaches.
3. Step 3: Note that while diagnosing and prescribing medication is related to clinical psychology or psychiatry, it is not the broad definition of psychology itself.
4. Step 4: Differentiate psychology from sociology, which studies group behavior and societal influences, and from philosophy, which deals with abstract questions about knowledge and morality.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of psychology is 'The scientific study of behavior and mental processes' because it captures the scope and method of the field accurately.