Psychology Department Mission
The undergraduate and graduate programs in the San Francisco State University Psychology Department reflect the richness of a structured curriculum that builds upon common themes but address the diversity of specialties within the discipline. The mission statement reflects the discipline.
The Psychology Department, as part of the California State University system and the San Francisco State University views its mission from a broad perspective:
- As part of the larger State University system, to serve its primary function, that is, to prepare students to achieve their educational objectives;
- As part of the SFSU campus, to encompass the diversity of our urban student body and to serve their unique needs.
- To deepen understanding of the psychological aspects of human behavior and thought in various settings through research, training, service and publication.
Within this context, the mission of psychology is to promote an understanding of individual behavior and thought. Such understanding includes achieving clarity about the nature of self and the development of the person. It includes insights into the basic processes of human perception, learning, cognition and motivation; the relationship of behavior to physiology; and the nature of psychological disorder. A complete understanding of human behavior thought also includes recognition of the many social contexts within which they occur, such as work, school, and home. Finally, this understanding includes how psychologists use their knowledge to help improve the quality of people's lives.
Psychological knowledge is derived from empirical sources and scientific methods. The emphasis on empirical scientific acquisition of psychological knowledge requires an understanding of the methods and approaches of science. It also requires the psychologist to attempt to improve understanding and to create new knowledge through research and scholarship.
At the same time, the practice of psychology is requisite in the discipline. Practitioners in psychology seek to provide human services and develop human potential in a variety of settings using expertise from a number of specialties including Clinical Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and School Psychology. Regardless of the setting, the focus of the practice of psychology is on improving human functioning, be it in social or family interactions or in the world of work or school.
These two perspectives in psychology - an empirical orientation firmly rooted in scientific method and theoretical foundations, and the practical application of scientific knowledge derived from psychological research - are completely intertwined. While conducting basic research, psychologists typically consider the potential applications of its outcomes. While engaged in the practice of psychology, practitioners are always mindful of the scientific, empirical and theoretical bases of their activities. Specialties within psychology, such as Social Psychology, Psychological Research, and Developmental Psychology aim to increase psychological knowledge through research and theory development, which have implications for application. Specialties, such as Clinical Psychology, School Psychology and Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology while emphasizing application, still are firmly rooted in scientific theory and research. All psychologists, regardless of their specialty consider themselves scientists and value both basic research and practical application.
