The five main psychological domains, also known as pillars, are Biological, Cognitive, Developmental, Social and Personality, and Mental and Physical Health.
Biological Domain
The biological domain encompasses studies of the nervous system, consciousness, and sensation. It examines how the structure and function of the nervous system influence behavior. Biopsychologists study a wide range of topics, including sensory and motor systems, sleep, drug use and abuse, ingestive behavior, reproductive behavior, neurodevelopment, and the biological correlates of psychological disorders.
Cognitive Domain
Cognitive psychology focuses on understanding thought and mental processes and their relationship to experience and action. Researchers study attention, problem-solving, language, memory, and other cognitive processes. Cognitive psychology involves interdisciplinary collaborations and often utilizes methods from fields such as psychology, linguistics, computer science, and neuroscience.
Developmental Domain
The developmental domain examines the processes of physical and cognitive development across a lifespan. Developmental psychologists are interested in understanding how cognitive skills, moral reasoning, social behavior, and other psychological attributes change throughout childhood and adolescence.
Social and Personality Domain
Social and personality psychology deal with how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others. Researchers study factors that lead us to act in certain ways in social situations, as well as the conditions under which behaviors, actions, and feelings occur. Social and personality psychology include studies of large-scale sociocultural forces within cultures and societies that affect mental states and behaviors.
Mental and Physical Health Domain
The mental and physical health domain is concerned with the study of psychological disorders, counseling, and treatment methods. It encompasses the study of abnormalities in perception, cognition, motivation, and affective states, as well as the effects of stress and coping mechanisms. Mental and physical health professionals may engage in科学研究 and practice, focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing and treating mental illnesses.
These domains work together to provide a comprehensive understanding of behavior and mental processes, emphasizing different perspectives and assumptions about behavior and providing a framework for researching and analyzing behavior.