The Four Goals of Psychology

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 11 views

As psychologists, their primary objective is to understand human behavior and mental processes. However, when they make suggestions for changing behavior, they are demonstrating a specific goal of psychology. In this article, we will explore the different goals of psychology and determine which one is relevant to behavior change.

The Four Goals of Psychology

Psychology has four primary goals: Predict, Explain, Control, and Observe. Each goal is essential in understanding human behavior and mental processes.

Predict

The Predict goal of psychology involves forecasting human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists use various methods, such as statistical analysis and research studies, to predict how people will behave in different situations. This goal is crucial in fields like education, business, and healthcare, where understanding human behavior can inform decision-making.

Explain

The Explain goal of psychology involves understanding the underlying causes of human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists use various theories and models to explain why people behave in certain ways. This goal is essential in fields like clinical psychology, where understanding the underlying causes of mental health issues is critical in developing effective treatments.

Control

The Control goal of psychology involves changing human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists use various methods, such as therapy and behavioral interventions, to help people change their behavior and improve their mental health. This goal is crucial in fields like clinical psychology, where helping people overcome mental health issues is a primary objective.

Observe

The Observe goal of psychology involves studying human behavior and mental processes without intervening. Psychologists use various methods, such as observation and experimentation, to study human behavior in a naturalistic setting. This goal is essential in fields like developmental psychology, where understanding how children develop and grow is critical in informing educational and parenting practices.

Demonstrating the Control Goal

When psychologists make suggestions for changing behavior, they are demonstrating the Control goal of psychology. By providing guidance and support, psychologists aim to help people change their behavior and improve their mental health. This goal is essential in fields like clinical psychology, where helping people overcome mental health issues is a primary objective.

Examples of the Control Goal in Action

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. By identifying and challenging negative thoughts, people can learn to change their behavior and improve their mental health.
Behavioral Interventions: Behavioral interventions, such as positive reinforcement and punishment, can help people change their behavior. For example, a therapist might use positive reinforcement to encourage a person to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can help people change their behavior and improve their mental health. By teaching people to be present in the moment and focus on their thoughts and feelings, mindfulness-based interventions can help people develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when psychologists make suggestions for changing behavior, they are demonstrating the Control goal of psychology. By providing guidance and support, psychologists aim to help people change their behavior and improve their mental health. The Control goal is essential in fields like clinical psychology, where helping people overcome mental health issues is a primary objective.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology.
Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (2006). Developmental psychopathology and clinical child psychology: Theory, research, and methods. New York: Guilford Press.
Kazdin, A. E. (2005). Research design in clinical psychology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Q: What is the Control goal of psychology?

A: The Control goal of psychology involves changing human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists use various methods, such as therapy and behavioral interventions, to help people change their behavior and improve their mental health.

Q: Why is the Control goal of psychology important?

A: The Control goal of psychology is essential in fields like clinical psychology, where helping people overcome mental health issues is a primary objective. By changing behavior and improving mental health, psychologists can help people lead more fulfilling and productive lives.

Q: What are some examples of the Control goal in action?

A: Some examples of the Control goal in action include:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that helps people change their negative thought patterns and behaviors. By identifying and challenging negative thoughts, people can learn to change their behavior and improve their mental health.
Behavioral Interventions: Behavioral interventions, such as positive reinforcement and punishment, can help people change their behavior. For example, a therapist might use positive reinforcement to encourage a person to engage in healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), can help people change their behavior and improve their mental health. By teaching people to be present in the moment and focus on their thoughts and feelings, mindfulness-based interventions can help people develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation.

Q: How do psychologists achieve the Control goal?

A: Psychologists achieve the Control goal by using various methods, such as:

Therapy: Therapy involves working with a psychologist to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
Behavioral Interventions: Behavioral interventions, such as positive reinforcement and punishment, can help people change their behavior.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Mindfulness-based interventions, such as MBSR, can help people change their behavior and improve their mental health.

Q: What are some benefits of achieving the Control goal?

A: Some benefits of achieving the Control goal include:

Improved mental health: By changing behavior and improving mental health, people can lead more fulfilling and productive lives.
Increased self-awareness: Mindfulness-based interventions can help people develop greater self-awareness and self-regulation.
Better relationships: By changing behavior and improving mental health, people can build stronger, more meaningful relationships with others.

Q: What are some challenges of achieving the Control goal?

A: Some challenges of achieving the Control goal include:

Resistance to change: People may resist changing their behavior, especially if it requires significant effort or sacrifice.
Lack of motivation: People may lack motivation to change their behavior, especially if they do not see the benefits of doing so.
Difficulty in maintaining change: People may find it difficult to maintain changes in their behavior, especially if they do not have a strong support system.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Control goal of psychology is essential in fields like clinical psychology, where helping people overcome mental health issues is a primary objective. By changing behavior and improving mental health, psychologists can help people lead more fulfilling and productive lives. While there are challenges to achieving the Control goal, the benefits of doing so are numerous and well worth the effort.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). APA Dictionary of Psychology.
Cicchetti, D., & Toth, S. L. (2006). Developmental psychopathology and clinical child psychology: Theory, research, and methods. New York: Guilford Press.
Kazdin, A. E. (2005). Research design in clinical psychology. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.