During your education, you may be interested in learning about the different branches of psychology. You can learn about behavioral therapy, neuropsychology, and even origins of psychology. You can also find out about how to be an optimal adult and how to improve your mental functioning.
Optimal mental functioning in adulthood
Optimal mental functioning in adulthood is a bit of a topic of debate. Some studies have found that older adults have a lower incidence of mental illness than their younger counterparts. However, this is only partially borne out by the study’s sample size. A more comprehensive survey of adults in the Netherlands found that the incidence of mental illness was relatively high across all age groups, but that the rate declined significantly in older age groups.
Despite this, a better understanding of the relationship between age and mental health is still a work in progress. For example, a recent review of five large-scale population studies, involving over 18,000 respondents, suggested that age-related life circumstances, such as socioeconomic status, gender, and marital status, may contribute to an individual’s mental well-being.
Origins of psychology
Throughout its history, psychology has evolved significantly. Today, it studies human behavior and perception, as well as mental processes. The goal of psychology is to understand and predict human behavior, as well as to affect the behavior of individuals.
The earliest philosophers used logic and observation to gain insight into the mind and body. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that the scientific method of the natural sciences began to be applied to study the mind.
The early scientists used experimental methods to analyze human behavior. These scientists believed that human behavior was influenced by sensory experience, and that knowledge about the world comes from these experiences. The scientific method was important to the development of psychology, as it was the only method that was considered reliable.
Behavioral genetics
Behavioral genetics is the study of genes and their effect on behavior. In recent years, researchers have made major advances in genomic techniques to understand the complex relationships between genes and behavior.
While many researchers have focused on the role of genes in individual differences, behavioral geneticists have also sought to identify the locations of causal mutations. This has been achieved with the use of genome-wide association studies, which utilize genetic testing to identify specific genetic variants associated with behavioral traits.
Although genes play a crucial role in human development and health, a large percentage of complex human behavioral traits are not explained by genes. Until recently, the only way to study genes in these traits was through twin studies. These are comparative studies that compare rates of behavioral traits between identical and fraternal twins. Using powerful sequencing machinery, researchers have been able to perform sophisticated searches for gene variants.
Neuropsychology
During a neuropsychological evaluation, the neuropsychologist will administer standardized tests that will help the doctor to understand how the patient’s mind works. The tests can take between two and five hours, depending on the extent of the evaluation.
There are many different kinds of tests that can be used during a neuropsychological evaluation. These include behavioral tests, psychological tests, and cognitive tests. The results of these tests are then used to determine the best treatment plan for the patient.
A neuropsychological evaluation is most often performed when a patient exhibits memory or thinking problems. This can be because of a medical condition or because of a non-neurologic condition. In some cases, an infection of the brain may affect a patient’s cognitive functions.
A neuropsychological evaluation can also be required for educational planning or pre-surgical evaluations. A neuropsychologist can perform a number of tests on a patient to evaluate their memory, concentration, and reasoning abilities.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy is an important psychological intervention for a variety of psychiatric disorders. It is a scientifically-based approach that provides instruction, guidance and support for achieving changes in behavior.
Behavioral therapy is a highly-focused treatment that relies on the use of observation and modeling to change behaviors. It is often combined with medication and other treatment methods. It can be provided by a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker or other mental health professional.
Depending on the type of condition or symptoms being treated, behavioral therapy is provided in one of three ways: by a behavioral therapist, a counselor or a social worker.
The term “behavior modification” was first used by Edward Thorndike in 1911. It is a term that originated in the experimental tradition of clinical psychology.
