1. INTRODUCTION OF PSYCHOLOGY
BY KALPANA.G
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
Psychology- meaning
The subject psychology has been becoming increasingly popular day by day. This
fast growth subject is an offshoot of philosophy.
Definition of psychology
In terms of study of the soul:
The origin to the most mysterious and philosophical concept namely of
soul. Etymologically, The very word psychology means the “study of the soul”. It
is derived from the two greek word psycho-soul, logos- signifying a rational course
of study.
2. In terms of the study of the mind:
The word psyche in the form of mind. It was more vague and mysterious
than the soul. The study of mind was covered under a separate branch of
philosophy called “Mental Philosophy”. Hence psychology is a legitimate child
of philosophy. It faced the same criticism with questions like what is mind? how
can it be studied? Consequently, This definition was also rejected.
In terms of study of consciousness:
The failure to define the terms soul and mind persuaded the philosophers
and psychologist search for some other suitable definition like
● William James( 1890)- In his book “principle of psychology” define ‘the
description and explanation of state of consciousness as such’
● wilhelm wundt (1832-1920) who established the First psychology
laboratory at the university of leipzig in germany.
● Edward Bradford titchener: Also defined psychology as Study of
consciousness.
3. This definition was also rejected on the following grounds.
a) it has a very narrow range of its not talking about the subconscious and
unconscious activity of the mind.
b) it also due to the most subjective, the introspection method for the study of
conscious activity of the mind, unscientific method
c) it could not include the study of consciousness of the animals.
In terms of study of behaviour:
From the 9th century onwards. Find advert of the modern era of scientific
investigation and thought psychology began its called Study of behaviour. The
definition of the word study was replaced by science.
Total behaviour :
The first psychologist William Mcdougall, proposed the word science
replaced total behaviour.
Study
↓
Science
↓
4. Total behaviour (conscious as well as unconscious)
● William mcdougall(1905): In his book “physiological psychology”-
psychology may be best and most comprehensively defined as a positive
science of the conduct of living creatures.
⇒ Later (1908) in his book- “ Introduction to social psychology” he
added the word “Behaviour”.
⇒ In 1949 - “ psychology is a science which aims to give a better
understanding and control of the behaviour of the organism as a whole.
● Walter bowers pillsbury ( American professor) In his book -
“Essentials of psychology” ( 1911) to define “ psychology most
satisfactorily define the science of human behaviour”.
● J.B.Watson ( 1913): The father of behaviourism, proposed by it both
human and animal behaviours and defined as “ The science of behaviour ”.
● Woodworth ( 1948):
First psychology lost its soul than its mind, then it lost its consciousness. it
still has behaviour of a sort.
it may be concluded,
Psychology is the science of behaviour or scientific study of behavioral
activities and experience.
5. The question which is remained unanswered at this stage are,
a) What do we actually mean by the term behaviour?
b) What is the nature of psychology? Is it a science ? If yes, then what kind
of science is it ?
Behaviour: meaning
Woodworth ( 1948) - Any manifestation of life is activity. Behaviour is a
collective name for these activities.
a) motor ( conative) activities - walking, swimming, dancing.
b) cognitive activities - thinking, reasoning, imagining etc
c) affective activities - Feeling, happy, sad ,angry et
All segment of human mind:
- Conscious behaviour
- subconscious behaviour
- Unconscious behaviour
Covert behaviour - Involving all inner experience and mental processes.
In psychology,
Study the behaviour of all living organisms.
It includes,
6. The behaviour of human beings as well as that of both insects, plants, animals,
normal, abnormal, child and adult etc.
In this way,
The term behaviour is too comprehensive to cover all the life activities and
experience of all the living organisms.
Fields or branches of psychology
General Psychology
It is a relatively large area or field of Psychology which deals with the
fundamental rules principle and theories of the subject in relation to the study of
the behaviour of normal adult human beings.
Abnormal psychology
It is described and explains the behaviour of abnormal people in relation
to the environment. the causes, symptoms and syndrome,s description and
treatment of the abnormality of behaviour form the subject matter of this branch.
Clinical psychology
7. The abnormality and maladaptation of the behaviour leads to mental
illness and diseases. A proper diagnosis of such illness and diagnosis is then the
work of clinical psychology. The experts, who provide such treatment to the
patient attending the clinic or hospital are known as clinical psychologists.
Social psychology
One’s behaviour as a member of the group, the process of communication
and interpersonal relationship, group dynamics and social relationship etc., are
studied under the branch.
Industrial Psychology
It is that branch of psychology which studies human behaviour in
relation to the situations and environment prevalent in the industrial world.
Consumer psychology, selection, training and placement of human capital,
establishing harmonious relationship between the employee and employer,
strengthening morale of the worker and other employees etc ., form the subject
matter of this branch.
Crime psychology
8. The behaviour of the Criminals in relation to the situation and causes
through behaviour analysis techniques and adopts modification devices for their
proper reform and rehabilitation.
Experimental psychology
Psychological experiments following scientific method in controlled or
laboratory preparation for the study of the mental processes and behaviour. It picks
up animals, birds and human beings as subjects for these experiments.
Child Psychology
The process of growth and development of children from birth through the
beginning of the Period of adolescence.
Adolescent psychology
The process of growth and development during adolescence and the
personality characteristics, behavioural and adjustment problem faced by
adolescence.
Adult psychology
The characteristics of growth and development in various dimensions of
their personality, their interests, aptitude and attitude, the typical behaviour and
9. adjustment problems specially related to the period etc.. for the study under this
branch.
Para psychology
The behaviour related to telepathy, extra-sensory perception and rebirth etc.
Educational psychology
To study the behaviour of the learner with respect to the educational
environment and all round harmonious personality development of the students.
Animal psychology
The study of animal Psychology in controlled situations. The study related
to the behaviour of cats by thorndike, dogs by pavlov, rats and pigeons by skinner
and chimpanzees by kohler and koffka.
cognitive psychology
The role of cognitive abilities like reasoning and thinking, analysis and
synthetic, interfering and generalizing, Intelligence and insight etc. process of
learning, problem solving, creative output and adjustment etc.
Political psychology
10. The knowledge of the dynamic of group behaviour, judgement of the public
opinion, leadership qualities, psychology of propaganda and suggestions, the art of
diplomacy etc.
Geo psychology
Describes and analysis relationship between physical environment,
particularly weather, climate, soil and Landscape with behaviour.
Environmental psychology
Environment role in affecting undue influencing the process of growth and
development. evolution of behaviour pattern, learning of specific personality,
disorder and behaviour problems etc.
Community psychology
A particular community,society or group is known to possess its
psychology of thinking, feeling and doing.Those belong to have a unique style of
living and behaving, copying with one’s self and the environment and maintaining
intrapersonal and interpersonal relations.
Individual psychology
The difference among individuals with respect to and every aspect of
human behaviour and personality traits.
11. Psychometrics
The branch of psychology is concerned with the construction and use of
different tests and techniques meant for the measurement and assessment of
various types of human ability and capacity, the process and product of human
behaviour and nature of their relationship and adjustment etc. The task of
construction and standardization of various intelligence test, interest and aptitude
tests, attitude scales, inventories and other techniques for the assessment of
personality traits, behavioural characteristics and adjustment etc.
Scope of psychology
The scope of a subject can usually be discussed under two heads:
1. The limits of its operations and applications.
2. The branches, topics and the subject matter it deals with.
Here the term ‘behaviour’ under ‘living organism’ carry unusually wide meanings.
Behaviour used to include all types of life activities and experiences- whether
coactive, cognitive or affective, implicit or explicit, conscious, subconscious or
unconscious of a living organism. Also the term living organism is employed to
include all living creatures inhabiting the earth irrespective of species, caste, age,
12. sex, mental or physical state. Thus the normal, the abnormal and the Young and the
old belong to different stock, spheres and walks of human life for all studied by
this science. We know that the living organism as well as their life activities are
countless and no limit that can be imposed upon the field of operation and
application of psychology.
