Final answer:
Psychology aims to understand behavior and mental processes using scientific methods. It began with the study of consciousness and has evolved to encompass cognitive processes, positioned as both a natural and social science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The goal of psychology as a science, historically and in modern times, is to better understand the world through the study of behavior, cognitive (mental) processes, and physiological (body) processes that underlie behavior. In its early days, psychologists such as Wilhelm Wundt considered psychology as the scientific study of conscious experience, aiming to identify the components of consciousness. Psychology has evolved from its philosophical roots and, with the decline of behaviorism, it has incorporated the study of cognitive and other processes occurring in the brain. Today, psychologists use the scientific method to objectively study and understand behavior and mental processes, contributing to both natural and social science realms.