Recommended for MBA students

1. Psychology
For
Managers
Jayadeva de Silva

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1) Is Psychology a Science, Philosophy or both?
.The difference between Philosophy and Science is that former is originated
through argument and reasons based on wisdom while the latter is based on practical
experiments/research. However the progress of science takes place due to philosophy.
Hence my understanding is that Psychology, which is the scientific study of individual
behaviour and mental processes is both. The ancient Greek Philosophers Socrates (470-
399 BC), Plato (427-348 BC), Aristotle (384-322 BC), continuously investigated into the
nature of the human being which led to pioneering the subject of Psychology. The words
of Socrates “A success could never be more than a short-term affair unless it was founded
on logical truth and moral right” is a very important statement in Psychology. The ideas
put forward by Plato in relation to the mental processes were helpful in later years to
understand the issues like motivation, cognition, emotions etc.
It can be considered as a Science since the relationship between the biological
factors like sensory organs, endocrine system, chromosomes, etc. and the behaviours. The
function of the brain and the nervous system have been studied along with the action of
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS)
in emotions. Hence psychology takes the place in between Natural Sciences and Social
Sciences.
Further there are certain issues which have not been understood by the Psychology, For
e.g.;
 Some physiological functions can be controlled by mind (cure certain
illnesses by meditation taking place within the human being

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 Extra sensory perception (hearing and seeing things beyond human
limit)
 Recollection of previous births, possession of super powers etc.
These challenging issues which are explained in detail in philosophical teachings
are referred to as Parapsychology. It is necessary to think logically and explain these with
the assistance of scientific research. The Philosophy as well as Science should be
combined in such investigations.
2) School of Psychology that helps most to understand human behaviour
Cognitive psychology is based on behaviourism and gestalt theory. Edward C
Tolman is considered as the father of this theory. This tries to fill the gaps in
behaviourism which explained human behaviour as responses to stimuli. Cognitive
psychology believes that behaviour is not simple responses to stimuli but the mental
processes play an important role. It is stated that people perceive, interpret, store and
retrieve information. People behave to satisfy different needs and based on the way of
satisfaction their behaviour is adjusted. It can be seen when a person is served with a very
hot cup of tea he will not drink it at once. He will either keep it to cool or pour it into the
saucer and drink. Here he thinks, plans and solves the problem.
Swiss Psychologist, Jean Piaget (1896-1980) conducted research on cognitive
psychology which revealed that the child develops the qualitative and quantitative
cognitive ability through maturity and experiences. Further he states that the children
who do not get the required biological maturity, experiences social stimuli and
information will not develop the cognitive ability in the proper manner. He stated that the

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child’s cognitive ability development is highest in the age of 12-18 yrs. Hence the human
behaviour depends on the level of cognitive development. A child who had a childhood
with all required aspects will grow up to be a very analytical minded person who will
have the ability to solve problems. How ever a child who lacked such a childhood will
have deficiencies like not being able to solve even a simple problem.
However this doesn’t give explanations for human emotions which can be
explained by behavioural theory as responses to stimuli. The theory put forward by
Sigmund Freud cannot be discarded as the Id, Ego and Super Ego seems to be true in the
sense humans have animal instincts but the conscience helps us to behave in a suitable
manner. This somewhat agrees with cognitive theory. The Gestalt theory states that we
perceive things as whole and not in parts. For. e.g. when a series of still pictures moving
at a constant rate we perceive motion of pictures which is a mental process explained in
cognitive science.. Hence cognitive theory can be seen as the most modern theory which
explains human behaviour .
3) “Nature vs Nurture” concept. .
This can also defined as the genetic-environmental controversy. This can be
further explained as the question whether the behaviour of people is due to their genetics
-hereditary factors (Nature) or to the environment (Nurture) Although historically
nurture referred mainly to the care given to the children by their parents, other
environmental factors such as one’s experience in the womb, childhood friends,
television, books etc. also would count as “nurture”. A more liberal interpretation of
“nurture” will be, all life experiences will be influential in who one becomes. On the

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other hand, according to “nature”, genetic and various inborn biological factors affect the
overall development of a person.
E.g. -According to those who believe that nature determines the person’s overall
development and behaviour, a criminal’s son will end up a criminal, irrespective of the
environment he was exposed to. In contrast to this, the nurture concept holds the view
that a criminal’s son can become a good citizen if he is exposed to decent environment
from the child hood.
Although it is well known that genes are responsible for the transmission of
physical characteristics in persons, there is increasing evidence that certain behavioural
traits too are hereditary. However it is not directly related but the likelihood of
development of such a trait under the appropriate conditions exists. Hence it is more
appropriate to know that only a very few are entirely due to nature (blood type ,eye
colour etc.) or almost due to nurture (language, religion etc.) but most are due to
interaction of nurture and nature.(Intelligence, height etc.)
4) The relationship between biology and psychology. How does one affect the
other?
In the ancient times the belief was soul (mind) was separate from the physical body.
However the present thinking is these cannot be separated and the meaning has been
adjusted to be scientific study of individual behaviour and mental processes of human
beings. Biology is the science that studies the living beings and the activities of the body.
Biological studies indicate that behaviour of human beings is controlled by the brain, the

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nervous system, and the hormones secreted by the endocrine system. Behaviour in turn
can affect the biological system of a person.
If we take the case of a person who is attacked by a gang of thieves, the man gets
frightened. The heart beats faster; sugar level in the blood increases, breathing rate goes
up, the digestion stops, pupils of the eye enlarge. The body is prepared for an emergency
and this can be explained in biological terms. The body has a peripheral nervous system
which includes an automatic nervous system consisting sympathetic nervous system
(SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). In emergencies the SNS takes
messages to heart, lungs, intestines, eyes etc. to get ready for an urgent situation and
responsible for our emotions resulting the above changes. The function of the PSNS is to
bring back the organs to the normal status.
On the other hand the thyroid gland which is located below the larynx, produces
the hormone known as thyroxin in both sexes. This hormone is responsible for the
metabolic rate of the body. When the thyroxin secretion is low the person shows lethargic
and will be very inactive. Whereas higher level of thyroxin will result in overexcitability,
sudden decisions, agitation etc. in a person. This shows that biological changes in the
body can affect the psychology of an individual and vice versa.
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