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Introduction to Psychology
Definition of psychology
16th century: Rudolf coined the term psychology with two Greek words Psyche (soul)
and logous meaning study. (The study of soul).
Drawback: Definition was very vague.
19th century: William James defined it as the science of mental life including phenomena
such as feelings, desires, reasoning and cognition.
Drawback: Only looked at the observable behaviour. Abstract concept of mind was discarded.
20th century: Feldman defined it as the scientific study of behaviour and mental
processes. Morgan and King defined it as the scientific study of human and animal
behaviour. It includes the application of this science to human problems.
Behaviour: Activity that can observed, measured or recorder. It can be overt or covert.
Mental processes: Experiences that can be felt by the person alone.
Goals of psychology
Describing it (What is happening?)
Introduction to Psychology 1
, It involves observing a behaviour and noting everything about it, to give it a name - what is
happening, where, to whom and under what circumstances. Girl is behaving oddly-grades
slipping, negative attitude towards everything, not doing her homework. The first goal is to
describe behaviour.
Explaining (Why is it happening?)
Finding explanations for behaviour. goal if description provides the observation and
explaining helps build the theory. Explaining the behaviour of the girl by conducting some
tests.
Prediction (When will it happen again?)
Determining what will happen in the future. Predict when it’ll happen again in order to
change it.
Control (How can it be changed?)
After predicting an outcome- psychologists help change, control or modify that behaviour.
Branches of psychology
Developmental psychology : How people grow and change from birth to death
Biopsychology: Determining how biological processes affect behaviour
Social psychology: Study of how people’s thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by
others.
Clinical psychology: deals with the study, diagnosis and treatment of
mental/psychological disorders.
Counselling psychology: Focuses on education, social and career adjustment problems.
Forensic psychology: Focuses on legal issues, such as determining the accuracy of
witness memories.
Sports psychology: Applies psychology to athletic activity and exercise.
Industrial psychology: It is concerned with psychology of the workplace.
Cognitive psychology: it focuses on our mental processes such as memory, judging,
decision making etc.
Educational psychology: It is concerned with teaching and learning process, such as the
relationship between motivation and school performances.
Introduction to Psychology 2
Introduction to Psychology
Definition of psychology
16th century: Rudolf coined the term psychology with two Greek words Psyche (soul)
and logous meaning study. (The study of soul).
Drawback: Definition was very vague.
19th century: William James defined it as the science of mental life including phenomena
such as feelings, desires, reasoning and cognition.
Drawback: Only looked at the observable behaviour. Abstract concept of mind was discarded.
20th century: Feldman defined it as the scientific study of behaviour and mental
processes. Morgan and King defined it as the scientific study of human and animal
behaviour. It includes the application of this science to human problems.
Behaviour: Activity that can observed, measured or recorder. It can be overt or covert.
Mental processes: Experiences that can be felt by the person alone.
Goals of psychology
Describing it (What is happening?)
Introduction to Psychology 1
, It involves observing a behaviour and noting everything about it, to give it a name - what is
happening, where, to whom and under what circumstances. Girl is behaving oddly-grades
slipping, negative attitude towards everything, not doing her homework. The first goal is to
describe behaviour.
Explaining (Why is it happening?)
Finding explanations for behaviour. goal if description provides the observation and
explaining helps build the theory. Explaining the behaviour of the girl by conducting some
tests.
Prediction (When will it happen again?)
Determining what will happen in the future. Predict when it’ll happen again in order to
change it.
Control (How can it be changed?)
After predicting an outcome- psychologists help change, control or modify that behaviour.
Branches of psychology
Developmental psychology : How people grow and change from birth to death
Biopsychology: Determining how biological processes affect behaviour
Social psychology: Study of how people’s thoughts, feelings and actions are affected by
others.
Clinical psychology: deals with the study, diagnosis and treatment of
mental/psychological disorders.
Counselling psychology: Focuses on education, social and career adjustment problems.
Forensic psychology: Focuses on legal issues, such as determining the accuracy of
witness memories.
Sports psychology: Applies psychology to athletic activity and exercise.
Industrial psychology: It is concerned with psychology of the workplace.
Cognitive psychology: it focuses on our mental processes such as memory, judging,
decision making etc.
Educational psychology: It is concerned with teaching and learning process, such as the
relationship between motivation and school performances.
Introduction to Psychology 2
