Scientific discipline that studies mental processes and
behaviour in humans and other animals. Literally meaning the
study of the mind, psychology focuses on both individual and
group behaviour. Clinical psychology is concerned with the
diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Other specialized
fields of psychology include child psychology, educational
psychology, sports psychology, social psychology, and
comparative psychology. The issues studied by psychologists
cover a wide spectrum, including learning, cognition,
intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, personality, and
the extent to which individual differences are shaped by
genetics or environment. The methods used in psychological
research include observation, interviews, psychological testing,
laboratory experimentation, and statistical analysis. This entry
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