What are the main goals of psychology?

The main goals of psychology center around understanding the complexities of human behavior and mental processes. The correct answer emphasizes four foundational objectives: describing behavior, explaining underlying reasons for behavior, predicting future behavior based on observed patterns, and controlling or influencing behavior in positive ways.

Describing behavior involves systematically observing and detailing various actions and mental states. This sets the groundwork for deeper understanding. Explaining behavior goes further by identifying the causes or factors influencing those behaviors, often utilizing theories and models developed through research. Predicting behavior allows psychologists to anticipate how individuals might act in certain situations based on historical data and established patterns. Finally, controlling behavior focuses on implementing strategies, such as therapeutic techniques and interventions, to help individuals make desired changes or improvements in their lives.

While the other options touch upon important aspects of psychology, they do not encompass the broader, foundational goals of the discipline. For instance, creating therapy techniques and developing pharmaceutical treatments are both crucial in applied psychology but are more specific outgrowths of the overarching objectives that include describing, explaining, predicting, and controlling behavior. Engaging the public, although valuable, does not align as directly with the academic and practical aims that define psychology as a science.