WHAT IS PYSCHOLOGY?
The term psychology derives from the Greek rootspsyche, meaning
“soul” or “mind,” and logos, meaning “word.” Psychology is literally the
study of the mind or soul, and people defined it that way until the
early 1900s.
Around 1920, psychologists became disenchanted with
the idea of studying the mind. First, research deals
with what we observe, and mind is unobservable.
Talking about “the mind” implies it is a thing or object,
and mental activity is a process. Beginning in the early
1900s, psychologists defined their field as the study of
behavior.
When most people think of psychologists, they think of
clinical psychologists—those who try to help worried,
depressed, or otherwise troubled people.
Clinical psychology is only one part of psychology. psychology
also includes research on sensation and perception, learning
and memory, hunger and thirst, sleep, attention, child
development, and more.
Introduction to Psychology, Eleventh Edition. James W. Kalat
The term psychology derives from the Greek rootspsyche, meaning
“soul” or “mind,” and logos, meaning “word.” Psychology is literally the
study of the mind or soul, and people defined it that way until the
early 1900s.
Around 1920, psychologists became disenchanted with
the idea of studying the mind. First, research deals
with what we observe, and mind is unobservable.
Talking about “the mind” implies it is a thing or object,
and mental activity is a process. Beginning in the early
1900s, psychologists defined their field as the study of
behavior.
When most people think of psychologists, they think of
clinical psychologists—those who try to help worried,
depressed, or otherwise troubled people.
Clinical psychology is only one part of psychology. psychology
also includes research on sensation and perception, learning
and memory, hunger and thirst, sleep, attention, child
development, and more.
Introduction to Psychology, Eleventh Edition. James W. Kalat
