The field of psychology is essentially about which of the following?

• A. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
• B. The diagnosis and treatment of physical illnesses
• C. The study of historical events and their impact on society
• D. The analysis of chemical reactions in the brain

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the core definition of psychology by recognizing it as a scientific discipline focused on studying behavior and mental processes.
2. Step 2: Differentiate psychology from other fields by noting that it is not primarily concerned with diagnosing and treating physical illnesses, which is the domain of medicine.
3. Step 3: Recognize that the study of historical events and their societal impact belongs to history or sociology, not psychology.
4. Step 4: Understand that while psychology may involve studying brain functions, the analysis of chemical reactions in the brain is more specific to neuroscience or biochemistry rather than psychology as a whole.
5. Step 5: Conclude that psychology is best described as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, encompassing both observable actions and internal experiences.