Psychology is both an academic and applied discipline
involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Psychologists
study such phenomena as perception, cognition, emotion, personality, behavior,
and interpersonal relationships. Psychology also refers to the application of
such knowledge to various spheres of human activity, including issues related
to daily life—e.g. family, education, and work—and the treatment of mental
health problems.*
Psychology is one of the behavioral sciences—a
broad field that spans the social and natural sciences. Psychology attempts to
understand the role human behavior plays in social dynamics while incorporating
physiological and neurological processes into its conceptions of mental
functioning. Psychology includes many sub-fields of study and application
concerned with such areas as human development, sports, health, industry, law,
and spirituality.
The broad scope of application of discipline makes
it possible for a psychology to comfortably fit into various sector of the
economy, industry and programmes designed for national development. Every industrial
endeavour requires human inputs and consequently psychologists so as to harness
required human capital optimally. Industrial psychologists also design and promote
corporate branding and policies. Psychologists are also relevant in market
research, client management and product development in several sectors of the
economy.
Psychologists are also highly valued in social
security and military/paramilitary service since psychology is one of the
pillars of criminology. Meaningful national development policies are also being
designed based on technical and opinionated inputs from psychologists particularly
as it concerns issues like prison reforms, youth development, sports, culture,
tourism and media/public perception of government programmes, among many
others. The practice of law has also benefited from contributions of
psychologists in most civil and criminal cases, particularly those in which
insanity is pleaded.
The tripartite relationship between law,
psychology and medicine has persisted for decades with psychologists playing
more leading roles in recent times. Psychologists have had fledging career in
psychiatry and have resolved so many issues that complement the practice of
both medicine and philosophy. Findings by psychologists in the past have been
proven to promote changes in socio-cultural activities. Hence arts and culture,
through the inter play of psychology and philosophy, have benefited from
psychology as it is reflected in the story line of recent home videos.
Subsequently more psychologists are gaining employment in the industry hitherto
perceived to be exclusive to artistes.
It is expected that in no distant future, the
nation would develop to such an extent where the relevance of psychology in science
and technology would develop beyond human capital development or product
introduction/re-engineering to such levels that would enhance innovation,
development and transfer of technology as it is obtainable in America, Asia
and most European nations.
*wikipedia definition
