Задание для психологов – дополнительное для всех вариантов

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1. Psychology is one of the most rapidly developing social sciences, touching almost every aspect of our lives. It has as its principal focus the individual human being, with special emphasis on the inner life, the personality, the patterns of thought, consciousness and behavior of the person. Society which has become more complex is turning more and more to psychology to answer some of the serious human problems of our day and age. The public is already convinced of the benefits of using psychological findings in solving such diverse problems as mental illness, human factors in space exploration, as well as in helping persons become more self-actualizing.

As a branch of science it has been defined in various ways, according to the particular method of approach adopted or field of study proposed by the individual psychologist. But a comprehensive definition, which would include all varieties, that represent aspects of the original and historical meaning of the word, would run as follows: Psychology is the branch of biological science which studies the phenomena of conscious life and behavior, in their origin, development, and manifestation, and employing such methods as are available and applicable to the particular field of study or particular problem with which the individual scientist is engaged.

The main task of psychology as it has developed in Russia is materialistic investigation of the highest forms of human psychic (mental) activity, of their evolution in the process of socio-historical development, and of the fundamental laws of their operation.

Because psychology affects so many aspects of our lives it is important, even for those who do not intend to specialize in the field, to know something about its basic facts and research methods.

2. Psychologists are concerned with a wide variety of problems. Some are of broad concern: what child-rearing methods produce happy and effective adults; how can mental illnesses be prevented, and the like. Others are more specific: How can people be persuaded to give up smoking? What is the most effective method for teaching children to read? What area of the brain controls speech?

Basically, we are interested in finding out «Why people act as they do?» Any action a person takes can be explained from several different points of view.

Suppose, for example, you walk across the street. This act can be described in terms of the firing of the nerves that activate the muscles that move the legs that transport you across the street. It can also be described without reference to anything within the body; the green light is a stimulus to which you respond by crossing the street. Or your action might be explained in terms of its ultimate purpose; you plan to visit a friend, and crossing the street is one of many acts involved in carrying out the plan.