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{{Etymology|From the ancient Greek ψυχή psyche ("soul," "mind") and -λογία -ology ("study").}}

{{Etymology|From the ancient Greek ψυχή psyche ("soul," "mind") and -λογία -ology ("study").}}

'''Psychology''' is the study and evaluation of [[mind]] and [[behavior]]. Scientists in the 1600s and 1700s felt that the mind was beyond the ability of science to study it. Beginning with Galvani, some began to feel that [[physical science]] could explain the [[human mind]]. However, an objective view would not reduce the mind to a mere manifestation of the brain. That is the view of materialist philosophers such as [[Feuerbach]] and [[Lenin]].

'''Psychology''' is the scientific study of [[mind]] and [[behavior]] and the practical application of psychological therapy. Psychological research covers such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. The practical, medical application of psychological therapy is known as clinical psychology.

 

Early considerations on human cognition doubted the applicability of the scientific approach to the subject, but gradually, following from early physiological studies by the Italian physician [[Galvani]], it became apparent that the [[physical science]] could be applicable to description of cognitive processes. Through the 20th century, great advancements from basic philosophical study to detailed examination of the human brain using the application of [[MRI]] and other modern scanning techniques have lead to a very detailed understanding of the underlying physical processes involved in the structure and operation of human cognition, however, a great deal remains unknown about the human brain, particularly in the areas of long-term memory storage and in a functional and predictive coherent picture of full brain functioning.

Psychology, a bastion of [[liberal]]ism and secularism, is rife with [[pseudoscience]] and quackery.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2011/11/psychology-is-not-science.html Psychology is not science]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html?_r=1 Fraud Case Seen as a Red Flag for Psychology Research]</ref> For example, only 2/3 of Dutch psychologist release the data for their experiments.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html Dutch psychologist Strapel accused of research fraud]</ref>

Psychology, a bastion of [[liberal]]ism and secularism, is rife with [[pseudoscience]] and quackery.<ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2011/11/psychology-is-not-science.html Psychology is not science]</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html?_r=1 Fraud Case Seen as a Red Flag for Psychology Research]</ref> For example, only 2/3 of Dutch psychologist release the data for their experiments.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/03/health/research/noted-dutch-psychologist-stapel-accused-of-research-fraud.html Dutch psychologist Strapel accused of research fraud]</ref>