Chapter 1: What is Psychology?

Objectives

• Understand the nature and role of psychology in understanding mind and behaviour.
• Trace the growth of the discipline of psychology.
• Explore different fields of psychology and its relationship with other disciplines.
• Appreciate the value of psychology in daily life.

Introduction

• Psychology is a scientific discipline that studies mental processes, experiences, and behavior in different contexts.
• The term psychology is derived from Greek words 'psyche' (soul) and 'logos' (science/study).
• Modern psychology deals with processes underlying human experiences and behaviors at individual, dyadic, group, and organizational levels.

Psychology as a Discipline

• Seeks to understand and explain mind and behavior.
• Two streams:
  • As a natural science (biological principles, cause-effect relationships).
  • As a social science (interaction between person and socio-cultural context).

Psychology as a Natural Science

• Influenced by the scientific method and hypothetico-deductive model (theory, hypothesis, empirical data).
• Evolutionary approach explains psychological phenomena.

Psychology as a Social Science

• Studies human behavior in socio-cultural contexts.
• Focus on humans as social beings and interaction with their environment.

Understanding Mind and Behaviour

• Mind is separate from the brain but interdependent.
• Mental processes (thinking, problem-solving) and experiences are subjective.
• Behaviors are responses or activities triggered by stimuli.

Popular Notions and Scientific Psychology

• Common sense theories vs. scientific investigations.
• Psychology seeks to predict behavior patterns rather than post-hoc explanations.

Evolution of Psychology

• History dating back to 1879 with Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory.
• Various schools of thought:
  • Structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanistic, cognitive psychology.

Development of Psychology in India

• Influenced by Western psychology but efforts toward indigenization.
• Psychology in India has grown with a focus on socio-cultural relevance and indigenous understanding.

Branches of Psychology

• Cognitive Psychology: Mental processes like memory, reasoning, problem-solving.
• Biological Psychology: Relationship between behavior and physical systems.
• Developmental Psychology: Changes over lifespan.
• Social Psychology: Effects of social environments.
• Environmental Psychology: Interaction of physical factors and human behavior.
• Health Psychology: Psychological factors in illness and health.
• Clinical and Counselling Psychology: Treatment of psychological disorders.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Workplace behavior.
• Educational Psychology: Learning processes.
• Sports Psychology: Enhancing sports performance.

Psychology and Other Disciplines

• Interdisciplinary approach is significant.
• Shares knowledge with neurology, anthropology, sociology, etc.

Psychology in Everyday Life

• Applications in solving personal, familial, social, and national problems.
• Media and community interventions highlight psychological problem-solving.

Key Terms

• Definitions: behavior, cognition, consciousness, developmental psychology, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, etc.

Summary

• Psychology studies human behavior, mental processes, and experiences.
• It has roots in both natural and social sciences.
• Contributions to solving practical problems in various settings.

Review Questions

1. Define behavior with examples.
2. Scientific psychology vs. popular notions.
3. Brief account of the evolution of psychology.
4. Collaboration of psychologists with other disciplines.
5. Differences between psychologist and psychiatrist, counselor and clinical psychologist.
6. Everyday application of psychology.
7. Use of environmental psychology in promoting eco-friendly behaviors.
8. The role of psychology in solving social problems like crime.

Project Ideas

• Conduct interviews with psychology professionals.
• Explore books or films referencing psychology.