Chapter 1 Introduction to Psychology MODULE 1: PSYCHOLOGISTS AT WORK LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1-1 What is the science of psychology? 1-2 What are the major specialties in the field of psychology? 1-3 Where do psychologists work? Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The phrase ―behavior and mental processes‖ encompasses not just what people do but also their thoughts, emotions, perceptions, reasoning processes, memories, and even the biological activities that maintain bodily functioning. THE SUBFIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGY‘S FAMILY TREE The subfields of psychology can be likened to an extended family, with assorted nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins who, although they may not interact day to day, are related to one another because they share a common goal: understanding behavior. WHAT ARE THE BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS OF BEHAVIOR? In the most fundamental sense, people are biological organisms. Behavioral neuroscience is the subfield