Psychological Science

Psychological science is an empirical study of the human mind and behavior encompassing a broad range of sub-disciplines including cognitive, social, developmental, and clinical psychology. The field seeks to understand how people perceive, think, act, learn, grow, and interact with their environment.

  • cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as attention, memory, perception, problem solving, creativity, and language.
  • social psychology examines the impact of social influences on individuals’ behaviors, attitudes, feelings, and relationships.
  • developmental psychology investigates how people change from conception to death, particularly focusing on growth in childhood.

Additional Resources

New Insights and Misconceptions on Happiness

Dr. Laurie Santos of Yale University discusses what psychological science reveals about happiness, particularly in the context of a growing mental health crisis among college students:

  • Approximately 40% of students are too depressed to function.
  • Common misconceptions about happiness and well-being that hinder effective interventions and self-improvement.

Source Notes