Several questions and answers from Internet interviews conducted by Penn, Schoen and Berland, LLC, with 1,000 adults from Oct. 29–Nov. 5. The margin of error for the entire sample was within 3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level and larger for subgroups.
Q. How much do you associate the practice of psychology with scientific techniques and practices?
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A. |
A great deal—22 percent
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Q. In general, how favorably do you view psychology as a profession?
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A. |
Very favorably—36 percent
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Q. How much do you associate the practice of psychology with the study of human behavior?
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A. |
A great deal—57 percent
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Respondents were also asked whether they strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with certain statements. Here are some results:
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89 percent agreed—45 percent strongly—that studying human behavior can positively affect important issues of today.
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89 percent agreed—44 percent strongly—that the practice of psychology provides the means to understand human behavior.
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82 percent agreed—41 percent strongly—that psychology is not just about sitting on the couch and telling someone your personal problems, but is also about helping to solve larger societal issues and concerns.