INTRODUCTION TO
PSYCHOLOGY
EVANSBOOKS [Company address]
0
, INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Topic one: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF
PSYCHOLOGY
1.1 Key words and concepts
Conditioning
Emotions
Intelligence
Individual differences
Intra –personal relations
Memory
Motivation
Perceptions
Problem-solving
Schools of thought
Sub-consciousness
1.2 Introduction
In this introductory lecture, I shall first introduce you to the definition of the term psychology,
after which I will focus on the psychological perspectives that are currently used in the study of
behavior and mental processes.
The ideas behind various schools of thought will then be examined with a view to introducing
you to the dynamic nature of the field of psychology. I will end this lecture with a brief look at
the branches of modern psychology.
.3 Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Define the term „psychology‟
Explain the basic tenets of the five perspectives of psychology
Identify the schools of thought that have significantly contributed to the growth of
psychology
Distinguish between the branches of modern psychology
1
,1.4 The nature of psychology
As you will notice later in this lecture, the field of psychology has its roots in many disciplines,
including philosophy and physiology. This makes it difficult for us to come to a consensus
regarding a single, globally accepted definition of psychology.
In spite of this problem, there is no debate about the meanings of the two words that comprise
the compound word „psychology‟. These words are „psycho‟ and „logos‟.
Note:
The word Logos means „use of logic‟
While psycho means „of the mind‟
Therefore the term „psychology‟ literary means „the science of the mind‟. I would also like to
introduce you to definitions by respected psychologists, after which I will select a working
definition. The contributions by these psychologists are as follows:
• Ornstein (1985) defined psychology as „ the study of human experience‟,
• Kendall (1986) saw psychology as the scientific study of mental and behavioral
functioning.
• Atkinson and Hilgard (1983) viewed psychology as the scientific study of behavior and
mental processes. This definition was also proposed by Myers (1996).
• Munavi (1988) asserted that psychology was the scientific study of human and animal
behavior.
You can see that the above definitions have a common theme, that of psychology being
scientific and the focus on behavioral functioning. The last definition shall be our working
definition, since it is most comprehensive in terms of:
• Acknowledging the scientific nature of psychology.
• Focusing on the study of both humans and animals.
1.5 Why do we need to study psychology?
Obviously, this question may not be answered adequately until you go through the whole text.
However, I would like you to note that once you have studied psychology, you will be in a good
position to:
• Describe behavior
• Understand behavior
2
, • Predict behavior
• Control behavior
In order to describe, understand, predict and control behavior, you need to be able to evaluate
the quality of:
• Interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal relationships
• Person to group relationships
• Group relationships
This and the subsequent lectures will equip you with relevant skills to achieve the above
objectives.
1.6 Psychological perspectives in the study of behavior and mental processes
Activity:
Look at the definition by Kendal (1986). Note that:
Behavioral functioning refers to the study of whether the observed behavior is either well
adjusted or maladjusted. You may look up the definitions of these concepts at the end of
this lesson.
I would like to start this section by informing you that there are many perspectives that
psychologists follow in the study of behavior and mental functioning. For our purposes, we shall
focus on the six major ones.
The Psychoanalytic Perspective
Freud (1939) was very controversial and he viewed psychological traits and disorders as having
an origin in sexual and aggressive drives. He believed that our behavior is controlled by the
unconscious/subconscious needs/forces, which are biological in nature. Discuss: ID, EGO and
Superego.
The Behavioral Perspective
This perspective studies the mechanisms by which observable responses are developed and
modified in specific environments. For example, a behavioral psychologist will be interested in
how people and animals develop certain emotions like fear and love or how incentives like
presents, punishment can influence behavior. Some famous behaviorists include B. Watson.
3
PSYCHOLOGY
EVANSBOOKS [Company address]
0
, INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Topic one: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF
PSYCHOLOGY
1.1 Key words and concepts
Conditioning
Emotions
Intelligence
Individual differences
Intra –personal relations
Memory
Motivation
Perceptions
Problem-solving
Schools of thought
Sub-consciousness
1.2 Introduction
In this introductory lecture, I shall first introduce you to the definition of the term psychology,
after which I will focus on the psychological perspectives that are currently used in the study of
behavior and mental processes.
The ideas behind various schools of thought will then be examined with a view to introducing
you to the dynamic nature of the field of psychology. I will end this lecture with a brief look at
the branches of modern psychology.
.3 Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
Define the term „psychology‟
Explain the basic tenets of the five perspectives of psychology
Identify the schools of thought that have significantly contributed to the growth of
psychology
Distinguish between the branches of modern psychology
1
,1.4 The nature of psychology
As you will notice later in this lecture, the field of psychology has its roots in many disciplines,
including philosophy and physiology. This makes it difficult for us to come to a consensus
regarding a single, globally accepted definition of psychology.
In spite of this problem, there is no debate about the meanings of the two words that comprise
the compound word „psychology‟. These words are „psycho‟ and „logos‟.
Note:
The word Logos means „use of logic‟
While psycho means „of the mind‟
Therefore the term „psychology‟ literary means „the science of the mind‟. I would also like to
introduce you to definitions by respected psychologists, after which I will select a working
definition. The contributions by these psychologists are as follows:
• Ornstein (1985) defined psychology as „ the study of human experience‟,
• Kendall (1986) saw psychology as the scientific study of mental and behavioral
functioning.
• Atkinson and Hilgard (1983) viewed psychology as the scientific study of behavior and
mental processes. This definition was also proposed by Myers (1996).
• Munavi (1988) asserted that psychology was the scientific study of human and animal
behavior.
You can see that the above definitions have a common theme, that of psychology being
scientific and the focus on behavioral functioning. The last definition shall be our working
definition, since it is most comprehensive in terms of:
• Acknowledging the scientific nature of psychology.
• Focusing on the study of both humans and animals.
1.5 Why do we need to study psychology?
Obviously, this question may not be answered adequately until you go through the whole text.
However, I would like you to note that once you have studied psychology, you will be in a good
position to:
• Describe behavior
• Understand behavior
2
, • Predict behavior
• Control behavior
In order to describe, understand, predict and control behavior, you need to be able to evaluate
the quality of:
• Interpersonal relationships
• Intrapersonal relationships
• Person to group relationships
• Group relationships
This and the subsequent lectures will equip you with relevant skills to achieve the above
objectives.
1.6 Psychological perspectives in the study of behavior and mental processes
Activity:
Look at the definition by Kendal (1986). Note that:
Behavioral functioning refers to the study of whether the observed behavior is either well
adjusted or maladjusted. You may look up the definitions of these concepts at the end of
this lesson.
I would like to start this section by informing you that there are many perspectives that
psychologists follow in the study of behavior and mental functioning. For our purposes, we shall
focus on the six major ones.
The Psychoanalytic Perspective
Freud (1939) was very controversial and he viewed psychological traits and disorders as having
an origin in sexual and aggressive drives. He believed that our behavior is controlled by the
unconscious/subconscious needs/forces, which are biological in nature. Discuss: ID, EGO and
Superego.
The Behavioral Perspective
This perspective studies the mechanisms by which observable responses are developed and
modified in specific environments. For example, a behavioral psychologist will be interested in
how people and animals develop certain emotions like fear and love or how incentives like
presents, punishment can influence behavior. Some famous behaviorists include B. Watson.
3
