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

• A. The practice of diagnosing and treating mental illness only
• B. The analysis of human societies and cultures
• C. The study of the mind through philosophical speculation
• 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, which means it relies on systematic methods to study its subject matter rather than just opinions or speculation.
2. Step 2: Recognize that psychology focuses on both observable behavior and internal mental processes, such as thoughts, emotions, and perceptions.
3. Step 3: Differentiate psychology from related fields: it is not limited to diagnosing and treating mental illness (which is clinical psychology), nor is it the study of societies and cultures (which is sociology or anthropology).
4. Step 4: Note that psychology uses empirical research methods, including experiments, observations, and measurements, to understand how behavior and mental processes work.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of psychology as a scientific discipline is 'the scientific study of behavior and mental processes' because it captures both the scope and the method of psychology.