Psychologists use scientific methods in an attempt to understand and predict behavior, to develop procedures for changing behavior, and to evaluate treatment strategies. There are many areas of psychology, each attempting to explain behavior from a slightly different perspective. Social psychology is concerned with the effects of social situations on human behavior. Personality theorists study individual behavior.
Developmental psychologists study principles and processes responsible for change throughout life.
Comparative psychologists study animal behaviors across the range of species, while physiological psychologists are concerned with the biological bases of behavior. Learning is an area of psychology exploring how new behaviors are learned and maintained. Cognitive psychologists investigate memory, thought, problem solving, and the psychological aspects of learning. Analysis of behavior studies the conditions under which a behavior can be learned and the situations that cause that behavior to occur. Clinical psychologists study ways to help individuals and groups of individuals change their behavior.