Psychology
Psychology is the study of the human mind, and is the basis for many forms of mental health treatment, particularly psychotherapy. Psychology plays a role in our behaviors, emotions, relationships, personality, and much more.
Explore the various types of psychology, their history and the major theorists behind them, and apply this knowledge to your own mental and emotional well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Many psychological factors, such as mood, stress levels, emotions, and coping mechanisms, can affect our overall mental wellness on a daily basis. Additionally, psychological disorders like depression or schizophrenia can have a long-term impact on our health and wellness.
Learn More: An A-Z List of Psychological Disorders -
While often used interchangeably, there are some key differences between psychology, the study of the mind, and psychiatry, which is a branch of medicine focused on treating mental health disorders. Psychologists and psychiatrists both can provide therapy, but typically only the latter can prescribe medication in order to treat biological factors affecting a person's mental health.
Learn More: Psychologists vs. Psychiatrists -
Traditionally, it is believed that personality is more or less set in stone, but research shows that it is possible to learn new behaviors—such as picking up new habits or challenging your self-beliefs—that can in turn affect your overall personality.
Learn More: Is Your Personality Constant?
Key Terms
- Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a form of mental health treatment that typically utilizes talk therapy with a credentialed professional to help overcome problematic thoughts or behaviors.
- DSM-5
The DSM is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is used by healthcare professionals to help diagnose mental health conditions. It is currently in its 5th edition.
- Freud
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), is the most well-known figure in the history of psychology. Many of his theories, such as the unconscious mind and the theory of psychosexual development, persist in some form to this day.
- Motivation
Motivation is the process that guides and maintains our goal-oriented behaviors. In essence, it is the driving force behind why we choose to do certain things.
- Personality
Personality refers to the thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that make a person unique. It is believed that personality stays fairly consistent throughout a person's life.
Explore Psychology
![VWM Photo composite -Dump Psychiatrist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/eQ29QuPi4kfzBZzYQ--HjrdvRQw=/600x450/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWM-Dump-Psych-Stocksy_txp5e677f0folt300_Medium_4232039copy-09f4ceb47d474966acbf8c7a219afd75.jpg)
![Child building coloured wooden blocks and stacking shapes.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/fShEAMAU9ru-1zT6rt2qxeabIz8=/600x450/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1216600045-83e9b32cb9524a9296bb5207b2a74085.jpg)
![Young woman preparing home budget, using laptop and calculator](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Sg30egmiWOtLpoT5XjojWx-4tBc=/600x450/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1289535724-7d53e36db8794000b8ba4c8ac939eece.jpg)
![A portrait of a charming sophisticated Latin-American female taking care of her skin.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/7viONI3NrDIWKVxrGc50fIDZJQU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1421336302-423bcd7e289148898c149bd884bed337.jpg)
![A high school student sitting at her desk concentrating during a test in class.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/MQBMKZkxt-gotnKdkgyN4Z8J1lg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1352646304-6577f9650afb487289ffb4a6bfd748d6.jpg)
![a woman laying in bed awake at night because she cannot sleep and stares at the ceiling with a worried look on her face](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/sGMoZ_iVLi6GnTs9UQClt422sgQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1359253734-b59efa7c351c4fd1b23a7e782c319ade.jpg)
![Senior Hispanic woman with adults daughters walk in park](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/ErM61gpoHpvJztJpyq7d0EPFJxo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1361443481-0c95228d6efa4baa87bc3ef85380a163.jpg)
![Band performing live](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/oAl89a5FGKoq1lQgtYYOPOLT5Jc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-563818433-aa5d72b0991e4edc834c56583f8ac48b.jpg)
![Human hand holding remote control changing Channels with television set.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/5fKuAf9GDBJOrH8ZKB9MYcGtAFI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-152078979-0310e2f1a796465aab8bac0996358bed.jpg)
![A young girls meets with a therapist to discuss her struggles, addictions and mental well being](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/672f041-L31z_tjpGaMbadkx_2k=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1189837637-d7dd68116a4e4b86aef2bbd20cafa1db.jpg)
![surfing](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/BJXThKNkLp8XecyW_OIGE4-uQpY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-455062847-26787d142c304321adc194af82364474.jpg)
![person using a smartphone](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/4ZVF8sWASfdqaFA_VI5BmMqV2RA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1220997724-701b45351d634611960febf52e890fa6.jpg)
![Man sitting down reading a book.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/IBYO5yQk3f4z7UXC8t2CQy5J2hw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1219764805-eb26f1bb709249758024c84d7731494f.jpg)
![Hands holding](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/yp5nytCLuAp5w9yCWJmHTUZHcnI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-is-an-empath-and-how-do-you-know-if-you-are-one-5119883_final2-ac99231b18be4aca8dee9d38c830f320.png)
![Woman being defensive at work.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Donm2pRHU8Dn8mbL4yVzHPFM-HI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1189419321-b2aff264cc7a4533850fe67f46e2d8fc.jpg)
![Man looking sad while looking out the window.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/u_0OGZAVnfjg-qG4PikqDYW_Wag=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1201774105-f8ab4ec6099c42e5ac4e8012057bbcdb.jpg)
![Crying young woman](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/qLNVi390SMuzNpqvE4LcCWCd18E=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-183942071-d3ffba2bba744f04bf385823a52468d6.jpg)
![two yellow heads talking over a purple background](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/zi0tnF3t9BJNuzh1tUJq0iPeouY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWM-types-of-intoverts-Getty-A-de3bdff33fff49f4930e6b6c987afbac.jpg)
![Portrait of cheerful businesswoman looking out window in conference room](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/V_y9UIsUEKwIOld6sXZohv9ufcA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1317509112-f093038eb9bc464db52afb863feaf5fd.jpg)
![teal background with a man's eyes in overlay.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/NJXJGYLOnOmm7G-nfHgJw_PsRA4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWM-Psychopath-eyes-B-90a7901657b2445eb79b8e9d3e13550e.jpg)
![Businesswoman looking at laptop while sitting in office](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/703X7oZ5x2FmBt6gr-vp266KKrM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1073867592-af052bf1e1c2491da5e4f83238c6d0db.jpg)
![nature therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/O6Ew0oxrtXL6-w26EiKzqZd-tjA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-nature-therapy-helps-your-mental-health-5210448_V4-ba0c6d1eb44c4397b23e6d69d44c22d6.png)
![patient in a therapy session](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/gjT3a4KanCtyMwf4tsCpB5udqTE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1279147114-118b1acb85944826afbfb4ffdd2d2bce.jpg)
![Close up view of a young woman with curly red hair sitting on the floor, leaning on a sofa and looking away with a sad face.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/5_fZhrV1knAiRzcXWBT5RWNfVnY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1443918123-98530081957740d38f260c6379b699ba.jpg)
![woman stress](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/bV-qx8RFLRPRxAbWcZ2oDYmwUVI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/PhotobyRafaElias-448fb70f9145407893eef291a7d91d4f.jpg)
![Portrait of a trans woman wearing blue braid looking at herself in bedroom mirror.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/G2NMs7V6MP-RQkXw7Uy8M-Tpxvc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1324051802-cbc92aca88e5439387e83cf11d889b96.jpg)
![Depressed young woman talks to therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/QzDGwPSDv5izPmOeSi7xPuto0XE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1026611056-42bb9f8c1b6f46529a48baff604ad12c.jpg)
![person upset at their partner](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Tgq8FLdm2IbHR0ivbH3_j7jOUFA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1415178626-9974e04be2064cf1b3ecc6f874947fe4.jpg)
![Psychiatrist taking notes while listening to female patient](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/wwDdFoQ7Hb_jbyjslZ6WY5rARa4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Primary-Image-best-online-psychiatry-that-takes-insurance-of-2023-7254902-300003cd4255496db8e8600618cc81fb.jpg)
![Woman is frowning and looking away from her boyfriend with her arms crossed, as he is looking worriedly into her face as they stand at home in their lounge](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/5j4_zwBa05MexLMVZDc28SZ1dxM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1437339237-ad82a24b3d9446f1b7314a8b1b8c3a36.jpg)
![person sad in bed](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/tfkaxsryPg_Me-WI7F3MwKmU8xc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1383076970-322ea4d234c3408a8eaf15a61fd0a31d.jpg)
![person awake at night](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/vsTAv11U8Ixdc1QH49wYgub9ueM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-10220853221-42c7cbad5fc945b38949aa8a18ae2421.jpg)
![person looking out their window](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/ycEiMGjpc6ur9bpO6GsqbCcoRvs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1312969180-a423ee666523433e92355ba2b24b1fff.jpg)
![happy tears](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/9P-L2vyedCFwLOdjVnQ_kcO8uqA=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1132041882-8e22eba09b5e42bf9996bf3118bd8598.jpg)
![person doing online therapy at their desk next to the window](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/g2RkHpAA82utSzmDr-n58tvbdD0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1407320319-ef54525f3a924c75ae515fc7dd3c6933.jpg)
![therapist and client in office](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/yUi0hiOFln7-dnTE5tRkrWdH1Hg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1388567682-496516efa9f7463184cd53ecf42ec8d9.jpg)
![person talking with their therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/knBIvFL4P9M53NqmZeF_UAiR6es=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1397757302-1abcc75e670d4d0cae6d844d1c6fdc80.jpg)
![person sitting at a table looking sad and fearful](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/FDIZkKiHpcsbQwW1FfpjbVZOCwI=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1296029966-ebe13bba15a448b389abc20b332cf85f.jpg)
![mom helping her daughter with homework](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/t366dhL4CxQ1VfcvuJeZP01sA9w=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-646915908-ddd965611c6a4128943db760d75f58bd.jpg)
![therapist and patient](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/X7tGbBAFLjwZd04Tq2mEbIuQn0I=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1370014523-139e9e11dbf5431687f3a7eea798003c.jpg)
![person on the couch talking to their therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/4WIBEQCws5kPmZxgLq8ppKUEseE=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1388566551-44a64688da434cd8b9ebf9a20f513b06.jpg)
![person talking to their therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/hKyGoFMlFfc13_-0-Yb1d4yR6Bo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1359447262-8f0d3b738dcb43ae94225dcf154755fc.jpg)
![person writing in a journal](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/StiOPEC4Opu7mhIeEPBoQM0wb9Y=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-13257622281-0dcd990ffe404edabf34ce9efb7e4b32.jpg)
![patient talking to their therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/00nGuPyQwkoMalTmqUksNiBG2Yw=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1388564532-4b6c8f0d5f504a01ac4dfec626c0f34a.jpg)
![therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/Ju4WNzsjREAE9G50Y7kSLW2G7iQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SDIProductions-e6bfbe811176468a85fc7b4d77ffab3d.jpg)
![therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/NEZdVjooNSmJku8G20q1ZS1uBxg=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/atCamera-42c92ec853524a99bc837263bc00adf0.jpg)
![play therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/dU2VOEeBHPIjbhrMA5kXDDOuVcY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-11639920561-8cc7cbc743264135a234513167e58e5f.jpg)
![person walking a trail on the side of a mountain with grass](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/bruUTLYfofNWNLa92yyiuBPhgjk=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-555776253-6513bb4d7bce47a9b28fc3e6ad5f82cb.jpg)
![a person speaking to their therapist, while their therapist hands them a glass of water](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/zhZvYJuqf8Cdc6lm7NtPvb0t1Oc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1359467114-ad9f27ac1bd24eaeaa84e968ef54d150.jpg)
![young woman visiting a counselor](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/XkLOdgE9ajaMkvokMfh-bVXYA1Q=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1138187379-6e9a6e39382242d3a6d44e54505950b5.jpg)
![person reading and taking notes](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/l4zhDBgDQnGr5Xpdt26AwFS3_Eo=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1329209745-13a965461d804bb3ae1b6a9072c4235e.jpg)
![Illustration of man in an online therapy session](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/xuOdYqqwfJGmQic618O1CdAa0GY=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Untitled_Artwork62-0e48e3a40cda4fcaac04120be33c3fc7.jpg)
![person writing in an agenda book](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/k4Qcu4atn7imc59FzTeLgzasT3Q=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-475151975-f4462dce7de64728ba6315bf5c6dde18.jpg)
![African mid woman using smartphone at home](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/mIjIRHq6XMfFtUceAeDVJ3Qbqo4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1319763415-9a0db3f7cd2f4021b0fb92c0ddd0960d.jpg)
![Young couple talking with their doctor on a video call](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/GwvihDLPHqmEGiy2G9ngX_04Sb0=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1305817694-e622dbfba9b842edbe200a4713315fbb.jpg)
![therapist talking to their client](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/qidyyWf5d9M2rktvhkdHf0AqMvs=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1280190265-f3148a06b7e948e79e0402901eb3e581.jpg)
![Young female counselor talks with client](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/JdPNhrCkHfJIWOOjZBgg4YJJVAc=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-668440484-72146ecc4793440d9dc79fd404bcbd7c.jpg)
![teen girls laying on bed](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/OrmkqiI8bs34EnGJEC63op8EDu4=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1295866781-06f0ef686c924506961f155e8532a8e7.jpg)
![kid playing a video game](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/urSnAWOwQDWDJpG2nDMpKfdEShU=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1217771008-e5035c3b57bf481ba1a5c4a89131cec7.jpg)
![Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, mushrooms or shrooms being grown in a home based incubator.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/F4hFQReCKx4SPFUFUDQwixjkiHQ=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1324128075-fa1203aeaced4cf697ebbeceef0691b9.jpg)
![Six years old boy working with a psychologist at the psychotherapy session.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/LjVW2IyJZ36nRFDGdRHHIWI9voM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1310427526-27c36ecef816400bb906b6286c84f86f.jpg)
![Rear view of young Asian mother with a shopping cart grocery shopping for baby products in a supermarket. She is standing in front of the baby product aisle and have no idea which product to choose from](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/NnPu1raN-LmgwhNCnv8r1ktE_tM=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1308615771-9fd4f4d14e254038bfcc2f3ac617f07b.jpg)
![Female therapist listening attentively to a patient during a therapy session, both are wearing protective face masks during COVID-19.](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/2MBo55fWyvU0tgSVJs2bh0Eps4Y=/400x300/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-12853733161-29afdb0d28214e20afe0b71393c7da3f.jpg)