To what extent is a layperson s view of psychology an accurate one
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Introduction: Definition of psychology and psychology as a science
Psychology is a very broad subject and it has many definitions. The general view of psychology is that 'it studies mind'. This view is not very correct because psychology deals with human beings, and it is impossible to read human minds, as they are too complex. Each individual has different thinking, learning, behaving, etc characteristics. Therefore, the view that it studies minds is not accurate. Another definition of psychology is:
'The scientific investigation of mental process and behaviour' (Westen, 1999).
This definition is also too broad to give an exact view of psychology, as it includes 'mental process', which is again very complicated. A very good definition of psychology is:
'The science of animal and human behaviour'.
This definition limits psychology to the study of animal and human behaviour, and not their minds. It is defined as a 'science'...