lélektan

Lélektan, the Hungarian term for psychology, is the scientific study of mind and behavior. It investigates mental processes such as perception, memory, emotion, motivation, and thinking, as well as observable actions. The field employs empirical methods to describe, explain, and predict behavior, often integrating data from experiments, observations, clinical case studies, and increasingly neuroscience.

Modern psychology began in the late 19th century with the establishment of psychology as a discipline separate from philosophy and biology. Key developments include the creation of research laboratories, the rise of behaviorism, the cognitive revolution, and advances in cognitive neuroscience. In Hungary and elsewhere, the discipline developed through universities and research institutions, adopting diverse theoretical perspectives and methods.

Core domains include clinical psychology for mental health and therapy, cognitive psychology for mental processes, developmental psychology across the lifespan, social psychology, educational psychology, and neuropsychology. Applied fields include industrial-organizational psychology, health psychology, and forensic psychology. Methods range from standardized testing and clinical assessment to experiments, longitudinal studies, and neuroimaging.

Psychology informs mental health treatment, education, workplace design, human–computer interaction, marketing, and public policy. It also contributes to our understanding of social issues such as bias, learning, and well-being.

See also: Psychology.