Question

The study of the endocrine system and genetic mechanisms would most likely be undertaken by a: A. clinical psychologist. B. physiological psychologist. C. social psychologist. D. educational psychologist.

Short answer

Answer: Physiological psychologist

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

First, it's important to understand what the endocrine system and genetic mechanisms are. The endocrine system is a system of glands in the body that produces hormones, which are chemicals that regulate physiological processes. Genetic mechanisms are the ways in which genes, the units of heredity, influence an individual's traits and behaviors.

Analyze each type of psychologist

Now we will briefly analyze each type of psychologist and their main area of focus: A. Clinical psychologist: Focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. B. Physiological psychologist: Studies the biological basis of behavior, including the relationships between the brain, the nervous system, and hormones. C. Social psychologist: Examines how people interact with and are influenced by others, and how they engage in social processes. D. Educational psychologist: Concentrates on how people learn and develop in educational settings, as well as on strategies for improving learning and teaching.

Determine the best fit

Based on our analysis, the type of psychologist that would most likely study the endocrine system and genetic mechanisms is the physiological psychologist (option B), as they focus on the biological basis of behavior and the relationships between the brain, the nervous system, and hormones.