The Four Goals of Psychology for 2026

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

Analyzing minds and personalities is a common practice, but to what end does it often lead? To be more precise, what are the four goals of psychology? In a general sense, they are to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes. Each of these goals represents a different focus that psychologists can take when studying a phenomenon.

For example, if a psychologist is interested in understanding why people behave the way they do, he or she would use the goal of description. If the psychologist wants to go one step further and explain why people behave the way they do, he or she would use explanation as the goal.

The goals of prediction and control are self-explanatory; psychologists who want to predict future behavior or change current behavior use these goals. All four goals are important in psychological research, and each provides valuable insight into human behavior.

This article answers the question, “What are the goals of psychology?" We will present how psychology is, like other disciplines, grounded on empirical research (empirical research meaning), analysis, and the interpretation and dissemination of its key findings. In addition, we will tackle the goals of psychology with examples that learners can relate to.

The Four Goals of Psychology Table of Contents

What is psychology?
The Four Goals of Psychology
How Can Advanced Psychology Degrees Propel Career Success?
Psychology in Everyday Lives
What Ethical Considerations Enhance Psychology Research and Practice?
What Are the Advantages of Pursuing Quick Online Degrees in Psychology?
Can Short-Term Certifications Accelerate Career Growth in Psychology?
Emerging Trends in Psychology
Psychology’s Role in Social and Community Development
What Is the Role of Professional Certification in Advancing a Psychology Career?
What Factors Contribute to High Earning Potential in Psychology?

What is psychology?

Before we explain the goals of psychology, we should know what the discipline is all about. By definition, psychology is a broad and diverse field that deals with the scientific study of mind and behavior. It is a multifaceted discipline that encompasses many subfields, such as human development, cognitive processes, personalities, and social behavior. The subject aims to understand how biological processes, environmental factors, and social pressures affect how individuals think, act, and feel (“What you should know about psychology," 2005).

In practical applications, psychology can be used in as varied disciplines as there is a human activity involved, be it in styling a responsive web design for a particular audience set, crafting instructions on how to create watermarks in PowerPoint or applying geographic techniques and methods in one’s career.

Historical records provide strong evidence that psychology has existed since the ancient civilizations of Greece and Egypt. Originally considered as a branch of philosophy, psychology broke out as an independent branch of scientific study early in the 1870s.

The earliest studies of psychology revolved around two dominant theoretical approaches—structuralism and functionalism.

Structuralism refers to the branch of psychology that deals with the structure of the mind and consciousness, whereas functionalism argues that the main aim of psychology is understanding the mind and consciousness (“What is psychology?," n.d.).

Essentially, psychology is a field of science that explains why people act as they do. The American Psychological Association defines psychology as “the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior." It embraces all aspects of human experience—from brain functions to the differences in social behavior across races and nations (“Psychology’s three great branches," 2013).

Through the help of various case studies, observations, and surveys, the best psychology colleges Texas and other states offer to aspiring psychologists provide deeper insights into the thoughts, feelings, actions, and goals of individuals. Some of the modern applications of psychology and goals of psychological research revolve around providing people with the necessary knowledge and medication to handle psychological perils that people face in their everyday lives.

In most industries, however, knowledge of psychology can be used to better understand the motivation behind people’s thoughts and actions. While a large part of psychology is devoted to the treatment and diagnosis of mental health issues, it is also commonly applied in a wide variety of fields and industries, from marketing and politics to education and criminal justice.

Aside from healthcare services, psychologists work in a wide variety of fields, including the educational and business sectors. A degree in psychology offers a plethora of career opportunities for qualified professionals. In fact, the industries with the highest levels for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists are found in elementary and middle schools, offices of health practitioners, and individual and family services (“Psychology careers," 2019).

Now that the discipline has been defined, what are its aims and why are the 4 goals of psychology important?

What are the career benefits of pursuing an accelerated psychology education?

Accelerated education programs offer a streamlined pathway to acquiring advanced skills, enabling professionals to quickly bridge theory with practice in specialized fields such as neuropsychology or forensic psychology. These programs support rapid career advancement by focusing on evidence-based techniques and the latest research innovations. Pursuing an accelerated psychology degree online equips individuals with the competencies needed to respond to emerging industry demands and apply agile intervention strategies. This expedited learning experience enhances a professional’s capacity to implement effective psychological practices, ultimately contributing to innovative solutions in both clinical and community settings.

Four Main Goals of Psychology

Psychology is devoted to understanding an individual’s emotions, personality, and mind through a series of scientific studies, observations, experiments, and research. Like every other subject, the study of psychology aims to achieve a specific set of goals. Basically, there are four primary aims of psychology: to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior (Coon, Mitterer, 2013).

Describe

The first goal of psychology is to describe the actual phenomenon in which humans and animals behave in different situations. By describing a problem, an issue, or behavior, psychologists can distinguish between normal and abnormal behavior, allowing them to gain a better understanding and a more accurate perspective of human and animal behavior, thoughts, and actions.

To achieve this goal, psychologists use a variety of research methods, including surveys, case studies, natural observation, and self-assessment tests. Through these scientific methods, behavior can be described in minute details and as objectively as possible. Once the action has been described, the information gathered is used as basis to further study the behavior that just occurred.

Explain

Once a specific behavior has been described, psychologists then attempt to go beyond the obvious and explain why people act the way they do. Through a series of rigorous tests, scientific experiments, and observations, psychology expounds on the reason behind someone’s actions. Explaining behavior provides answers to why people behave the way they do under different circumstances.

Throughout the history of psychology, many theories have been formulated to explain all aspects of human behavior. While some are classified as mini theories (those that focus on minor aspects of human thoughts and action), a large part of psychological studies revolves around the grand theories that encompass intricate details to explain everything about human psychology.

Some of the well-known theories that explain all aspects of human psychology include Pavlov’s theory of classical conditioning, which refers to a learning procedure where two kinds of biologically potent stimuli are linked together to produce a newly acquired learning response from an animal or a person.

According to John Watson, the American psychologist who popularized the behaviorism theory, Pavlov’s classical conditioning theory explains that everything about human behavior—from speech to emotional responses—is simply patterns of stimulus and response (“Classical conditioning," 2007).

Predict

Making predictions based on how people previously thought and acted is one of the primary goals of social psychology. By analyzing past observed behavior, psychological studies aim to predict and anticipate how a certain behavior will appear again in the future. This allows psychologists to form a pattern of behavior and better understand the underlying causes of people’s actions.

By analyzing qualitative data consisting of thought and action patterns, psychologists and researchers can accurately make guesses about human behavior without necessarily understanding the mechanisms behind a certain phenomenon (“How the goals of psychology," n.d.). For instance, when qualitative data reveals that certain scores in aptitude tests predict student dropout rates, the information can be used to estimate the number of students who might leave school each year. The bachelor’s and masters in psychology online Texas residents and students from other states can enroll in may require research that predicts behavior as a part of the curriculum’s requirements.

Successfully predicting behavior is important to the last and most important goal in psychology, which is to control or change behavior.

Control

Aside from treating mental illnesses and enhancing well-being, changing or controlling human behavior is one of the primary goals of research in psychology (“How the goals of psychology," n.d.). Various psychological studies about human behavior are used to influence, change, or control behavior using previously gathered data about human behavior.

In psychology, there are a number of theories that deal with changing or controlling people’s behavior. Some of these widely known theories include the health belief model, the theory of planned behavior, diffusion of innovation theory, social cognitive theory, the transtheoretical model, and the social norms theory.

Whether behavior can be successfully changed or controlled largely depends on one’s ability to accurately define a behavioral issue, assess the fundamental causes of these problems, and develop and implement theory and evidence-based interventions.

How Can Advanced Psychology Degrees Propel Career Success?

Advanced psychology degrees equip professionals with in-depth theoretical knowledge and robust research methodologies essential for translating scientific insights into actionable strategies. These academic programs emphasize rigorous coursework combined with practical research and applied practices, fostering enhanced capabilities in data analysis, critical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making. Such advanced training not only supports innovation in clinical and organizational settings but also bolsters one's standing in competitive academic and professional landscapes. Additionally, pursuing an easiest masters degree online offers a flexible pathway to attain these benefits without compromising on quality or efficiency.

Psychology in Everyday Lives

Human behavior is the raw data of psychology and psychologists use and observe it to study how the mind works. Since Wilhem Wundt—a German psychologist who’s considered as one of the founders of modern psychology, established the first experimental psychology lab in Leipzig in 1879—scholars have uncovered an enormous amount of information that revolves around the relationship between the brain, mind, and behavior.

Today, psychology is used to better understand why and how people act in various social contexts. Below is a list of how it affects people’s everyday lives and how the four psychology goals apply:

Improving communication skills

Flawed communication is a major source of clandestine stress and, in most cases, leads to relationship distress and demise. With conversational styles and relationship patterns varying from one person to another, communication tends to differ for every individual who each speaks a “different language" according to their level of assertiveness, directness, and compassion (“What is the importance of communication," 2019).

According to a report by Virtual Speech Coach (“Virtual speech coach," n.d.), effective communication relies heavily on three essential factors: spoken words, nonverbal cues, and tone of voice. Since psychology makes it easier to understand what is going on in a person’s mind, it helps people comprehend and interpret an individual’s gestures and actions, making communication easier for different kinds of people.

Building relationships

For many, the purpose of psychology is to play a major role in fostering and strengthening relationships. With most relationships being formed between people who share a similarity in terms of sociodemographics (age, social class, occupational background, etc.), psychology offers a better explanation of how people act toward others in an interpersonal context. By providing a deeper level of understanding of the factors that affect people’s relationships, psychology can be used to form strategies for relational maintenance (“Psychology of building relationships," 2019).

Enriching careers

Much of the human resources department of every company is heavily centered around psychological principles. Backed by scientific studies about human behavior, psychologists continue to find new ways to improve productivity in the workplace, identify training and development needs, or implement company policies to help organizations find and retain top talents (“Psychologists, helping businesses," n.d.).

Understanding other people

Psychology provides helpful insights into other people’s behaviors and the influences and motivations behind their actions. Empathy, a broad concept that refers to the emotional and cognitive reactions of individuals, is an ongoing area of interest for neuroscientists and psychologists in many fields, and it is defined as understanding what another person is going through by imagining oneself in the same scenario(4) (“Psychology of emotional," n.d.).

Instilling self-confidence

Self-esteem refers to a person’s overall sense of personal value or self-worth. In psychology, self-esteem is often an important factor affecting an individual’s success or failure. Too little self-esteem usually leads to a person becoming more likely to feel defeated and depressed, whereas a person with a grandiose sense of self-importance can be off-putting or can exhibit signs of a narcissistic personality disorder.

As cited in one Forbes report (Zenger, 2018), a Zenger Folkman research revealed that women tend to have higher self-confidence as they age compared to men’s confidence levels over time. This shows that although women constantly worry more about being disliked, having unattractive looks, grabbing too much attention, outshining others, men are not exempt from having doubts and insecurities about themselves.

Self-esteem levels at either end of the spectrum can be harmful and potentially damage personal relationships. Thus, the study of psychology helps people know more about themselves and their personalities, allowing them to discover and build on their strengths and weaknesses as an individual.

What Ethical Considerations Enhance Psychology Research and Practice?

Ensuring rigorous ethical standards is integral to both psychological research and applied practice. Upholding principles such as informed consent, confidentiality, and transparency not only safeguards participants’ rights but also reinforces the credibility of research findings. Robust ethical protocols are critical when addressing sensitive data, mitigating bias, and fostering an environment of trust between practitioners and clients. Continuous professional training in ethical guidelines—often integrated into specialized education pathways, such as the 6 month degree course—further empowers practitioners to navigate complex scenarios and maintain high standards of accountability.

What Are the Advantages of Pursuing Quick Online Degrees in Psychology?

Quick online degree programs offer a streamlined educational pathway that aligns with the evolving demands of the psychology field. They provide flexible learning environments, cost-effective tuition models, and accelerated curricula designed to equip professionals with contemporary skills. These programs enable learners to rapidly integrate into emerging areas, enhance practical competencies, and meet market requirements without prolonged time commitments. Moreover, the structure of these programs facilitates a balanced approach to continuous professional development alongside existing responsibilities. For additional insights on educational approaches that maximize career value, consider exploring quick online degrees.

Can Short-Term Certifications Accelerate Career Growth in Psychology?

Short-term certifications offer focused, industry-specific training that can enhance practical skills without the extended time commitment of a full degree. These programs provide targeted learning experiences designed to quickly integrate modern research techniques, technological advancements, and evidence-based practices into professional practice. By acquiring specialized competencies in a condensed format, practitioners can better position themselves in a competitive job market and respond promptly to emerging industry needs. For instance, exploring options such as 6 month online certificate programs for high paying jobs can supplement advanced education and open new avenues for career advancement.

Emerging Trends in Psychology

Emerging trends in psychology reflect the discipline's evolving understanding of human behavior, driven by advancements in technology, societal changes, and interdisciplinary research. Here are some notable trends shaping the future of psychology:

1. Digital and Online Therapy

Teletherapy and Mental Health Apps: The rise of teletherapy, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has transformed access to mental health services. Mobile apps offering cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and self-guided mental health support have grown in popularity.
AI in Mental Health: Artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots and digital assistants, are being developed to offer real-time mental health support and initial assessments.

2. Neuropsychology and Brain-Behavior Research

Neuroscience Integration: Advances in brain imaging and neuroplasticity research are providing deeper insights into how brain structures and functions relate to behavior, cognition, and emotions. This trend promotes the integration of psychology with neuroscience.
Neurodiversity Movement: Growing awareness of neurodivergent conditions like autism and ADHD is reshaping how psychologists approach diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing individual strengths rather than deficits.

3. Trauma-Informed Care

Understanding Complex Trauma: Trauma-informed approaches are gaining traction, especially in mental health, education, and social services. Therapists are increasingly recognizing the pervasive effects of trauma on the brain, body, and behavior, and tailoring treatments to foster resilience.
EMDR and Somatic Therapies: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and somatic therapies, which focus on the physical manifestations of trauma, are becoming popular methods for trauma recovery.

4. Cultural and Diversity Competence

Cultural Sensitivity in Therapy: As societies become more diverse, psychologists are focusing on cultural competence in therapy, ensuring that treatment approaches respect clients' cultural backgrounds, including race, gender, sexuality, and religion.
Social Justice in Psychology: There is an increasing focus on addressing systemic issues like racism, inequality, and discrimination within psychological practice and research. Psychologists are exploring ways to promote social change and justice through advocacy.

5. Positive Psychology and Well-Being

Focus on Strengths and Well-Being: Positive psychology, which emphasizes the study of well-being, resilience, and human potential, continues to grow. This trend is shifting the focus of psychology from treating mental illness to promoting overall well-being and life satisfaction.
Workplace Mental Health: As work-life balance becomes a priority, psychology is exploring ways to promote mental health in the workplace, focusing on burnout, remote work challenges, and the importance of mental well-being for productivity.

Psychology’s Role in Social and Community Development

Psychology has a profound impact on social and community development, serving as a cornerstone for understanding and solving collective human challenges. By analyzing individual and group behaviors, psychologists can provide insights that contribute to building healthier, more cohesive societies. This has practical applications in areas such as social work, community planning, and public policy formulation.

One vital aspect is the integration of psychological principles into community development initiatives. For instance, understanding how cultural, environmental, and social factors influence behavior allows psychologists and community leaders to design interventions that better address societal issues, such as inequality, addiction, and conflict resolution. Programs grounded in psychology aim to foster resilience, improve mental health access, and create sustainable behavior changes at the community level.

Additionally, in the realm of education and training, pursuing an advanced degree related to applied fields—such as an online master's social work—equips professionals with the tools to better address psychological and social challenges in diverse populations. Such programs often bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for community-oriented roles.

Ultimately, psychology not only enhances our understanding of individual behaviors but also strengthens the social fabric, empowering communities by promoting equity, empathy, and well-being.

What Is the Role of Professional Certification in Advancing a Psychology Career?

Professional certification serves as a strategic tool for individuals seeking to validate their expertise and enhance practical skills in a rapidly evolving field. It bridges the gap between academic qualifications and real-world applications, offering professionals a competitive edge in specialized areas. By attaining certificates from accredited online certificate programs, practitioners can stay current with emerging techniques, integrate best practices into their clinical or research work, and expand their network through recognized industry standards.

What Factors Contribute to High Earning Potential in Psychology?

Financial success in psychology depends on a combination of advanced academic qualifications, specialized certifications, practical experience, and continual professional development. In competitive sectors, professionals who integrate interdisciplinary expertise—with a focus on emerging areas such as neuropsychology, digital mental health, and data-driven research methods—often secure roles with enhanced earning potential. Strategic career planning, incorporation of evidence-based practices, and active engagement with industry innovations further amplify market value. For insights on educational pathways that lead to lucrative opportunities, consider exploring the best degrees to make 100k.

The Importance of Psychology

To sum up, the four major objectives of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and change or control behaviors. These goals are the foundation of most theories and studies in an attempt to understand the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes that people face in their daily lives.

While psychology is a broad field of scientific study, it is not that hard to see the importance it brings to various aspects of human society. By providing deeper knowledge as to how human thoughts and actions are related to biology, mental processes, social relationships, and interactions, psychology helps facilitate peak human performance, enabling individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices or overcome the obstacles that inhibit them from making smarter decisions.

Key Insights

Four Core Goals of Psychology: The primary goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes. These goals help psychologists understand and influence human behavior effectively.
Description: This goal involves observing and detailing behavior to distinguish between normal and abnormal actions. Techniques like surveys, case studies, and natural observation are used to gather detailed and objective descriptions of behaviors.
Explanation: Psychologists aim to uncover the reasons behind behaviors, using theories and scientific methods to explain why individuals act in certain ways. This includes understanding the underlying mechanisms and causes of behavior.
Prediction: By analyzing past behaviors, psychologists predict future actions and patterns. This goal is essential for anticipating behaviors in various contexts, aiding in planning and decision-making.
Control: The ultimate goal of psychology is to influence or change behavior. This involves developing interventions and strategies to promote positive behavior changes and improve mental health and well-being.
Practical Applications: Psychology is applied in numerous fields, including healthcare, education, business, and criminal justice. Understanding psychological principles helps improve communication, build relationships, enhance careers, and foster self-confidence.
Historical Foundations: Psychology has evolved from ancient philosophical roots to a scientific discipline in the 1870s. Theoretical approaches like structuralism and functionalism laid the groundwork for modern psychology.

References:

APA (2013). Helping businesses and organizations. Psychology: Science in Action.
Bannen, E. (2019, April 9). The psychology of building relationships. Platform Magazine.
Cherry, K. (2005, October 30). What you should know about psychology. Verywell Mind.
Cherry, K. (2019, October 28). How the goals of psychology are used to study behavior. (n.d.). Verywell Mind.
CareerProfiles (n.d.). Psychology careers, career opportunities, programs & job search resources. CareerProfiles.com.
Henriques, G. (2013, June 16). Psychology’s three great branches. Psychology Today.
Lesley University (n.d.). The psychology of emotional and cognitive empathy. Lesley.edu.
McLeod, S. (2007, February 5). Classical conditioning. Simply Psychology.
McLeod, S (2019). What is psychology? Simply Psychology.
Saybrook University (2011, May 9). What is the importance of communication in psychology? Saybrook Blog.
tegna2017 (2018, March 7). Importance of psychology today. What’s happening at UDC!
Virtual Speech Coach (n.d.). 10 ways to increase your speaking energy. VirtualSpeechCoach.com.
Zenger, J. (2018, April 9). The confidence gap in men and women: Why it matters and how to overcome it. Forbes.

Other Things You Should Know About Psychology

What are the four main goals of psychology?

The four main goals of psychology are to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior and mental processes. These goals guide psychologists in understanding and influencing human behavior.

How do psychologists achieve the goal of description?

Psychologists use various research methods, such as surveys, case studies, natural observation, and self-assessment tests, to observe and describe behaviors in detail. This helps them distinguish between normal and abnormal actions.

What is the purpose of explaining behavior in psychology?

The purpose of explaining behavior is to understand the reasons behind individuals' actions. Psychologists use theories and scientific methods to uncover the underlying mechanisms and causes of behavior, providing a deeper understanding of human actions.

Why is predicting behavior important in psychology?

Predicting behavior is important because it allows psychologists to anticipate future actions and patterns based on past observations. This helps in planning, decision-making, and developing interventions to address potential issues.

How do psychologists use the goal of control?

Psychologists use the goal of control to influence or change behavior. This involves developing and implementing strategies, interventions, and therapies to promote positive behavior changes and improve mental health and well-being.

What are some practical applications of psychology?

Psychology is applied in various fields, including healthcare, education, business, and criminal justice. It helps improve communication, build relationships, enhance career development, and foster self-confidence, among other benefits.

How did psychology evolve as a scientific discipline?

Psychology evolved from ancient philosophical roots, with significant contributions from early theoretical approaches like structuralism and functionalism. It became an independent scientific discipline in the 1870s, focusing on empirical research and scientific methods.

What is the importance of psychology in everyday life?

Psychology is important in everyday life as it provides insights into human behavior, helps improve communication skills, builds relationships, enriches careers, and fosters self-confidence. It enables individuals to make informed decisions and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.