Nature of Psychology
DEFINITION OF PSYCHOLOGY
Etymology- Greek words: LOGOS (science) of MIND or SOUL (psyche)-Scientific study of animal and
human behavior and mental processes. It is the science that seeks to understand, measure, explain, and
when necessary, change the behavior of man and other animal
Characteristics of Behavior
Overt and covert
Overt – seen directly
Covert – indirectly observed
CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS
Conscious – on the level of awareness
Unconscious – outside a person’s level of awareness
Simple and Complex
Simple – on the level of animal reflexes without need for higher functions of the brain
Complex– stems from an analytical point of view
Characteristics of Behavior
Rational and Irrational
Rational – sane or normal
Irrational – strange or weird
Voluntary and Involuntary
Voluntary – brings about voluntary muscle activity
Involuntary – under the control of the Autonomic Nervous System
HUMAN AND ANIMALS
Human – rational
Animal – more of instincts or reflexes
What Psychology is?
To DESCRIBE behavior Includes the precise description of behavioral processes that are observable
such as gestures, speech, and psychological changes and processes. To IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT
HELP PREDICT BEHAVIOR; Predict behavior based of observed cause effect relations of factors. Use
tests and correlation techniques To UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN BEHAVIOR; Involves assembling
the known facts about behavior, gaining insights into the relationships among observable behaviors. To
CONTROL OR CHANGE BEHAVIOR; Control goes hand in hand with prediction. We predict the
, occurrence of a phenomenon because certain conditions exist, then we prevent (control) its occurrence by
changing the conditions
What Psychology is not?
- NOT A MYSTERIOUS NOR SUPERHUMAN WAY OF READING OTHERS’ FEELINGS
AND THOUGHTS.
- MORE THAN JUST “COMMON SENSE”
- DOES NOT BELONG TO THE CATEGORY OF “PSEUDO SCIENCE” LIKE PALMISTRY,
ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY
Historical Background of Psychology
THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Animistic Orientation – Behaviors of man are more speculative and superstitious in nature.
2. Myths and Legends – “Old Tales” became a complex and powerful means of explanation.
3. Philosophy – Man’s actions, feelings and thoughts, perceptions have interested since the dawn of
intelligence.
a. Rationalism – The faith in the strength of REASON and a belief in moral order in the universe
which resides in one’s mind
b. Realism – Brain functions more than the heart in determining conscious experiences
4. Empirical Evidence – period of “REBIRTH” emphasis on data and sense experience with analysis
a. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) – Father of Social Psychology, focused on influence of habit,
friendship, education, and other conditions to human behavior
b. Rene Descartes (1596-1650) – Division between the mind and the physical world
THE MODERN HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Experimental Psychology – Discoveries about the brain and nervous system stimulated inquiries into
the physiological basis of human
2. Psychophysis – mind-body interaction was the thesis of this approach
a. Gustav Fechner (1801-1887) – Father of Psychophysis, exact science of the dependency
between the body and mind
b. Herman Ludwig Von Helmholtz (1821-1894) – Studied the speed of nerve impulse
3. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) – founder of Modern Experimental Psychology, established the first
experimental laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1879. This is the year to which the
establishment of Psychology as a separate science is traced
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
• Psychology was taught at the University of San Carlos in Cebu and University of Sto. Tomas (UST)
• Psychology was part of the Philosophy Department in 1900s
DEFINITION OF PSYCHOLOGY
Etymology- Greek words: LOGOS (science) of MIND or SOUL (psyche)-Scientific study of animal and
human behavior and mental processes. It is the science that seeks to understand, measure, explain, and
when necessary, change the behavior of man and other animal
Characteristics of Behavior
Overt and covert
Overt – seen directly
Covert – indirectly observed
CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS
Conscious – on the level of awareness
Unconscious – outside a person’s level of awareness
Simple and Complex
Simple – on the level of animal reflexes without need for higher functions of the brain
Complex– stems from an analytical point of view
Characteristics of Behavior
Rational and Irrational
Rational – sane or normal
Irrational – strange or weird
Voluntary and Involuntary
Voluntary – brings about voluntary muscle activity
Involuntary – under the control of the Autonomic Nervous System
HUMAN AND ANIMALS
Human – rational
Animal – more of instincts or reflexes
What Psychology is?
To DESCRIBE behavior Includes the precise description of behavioral processes that are observable
such as gestures, speech, and psychological changes and processes. To IDENTIFY FACTORS THAT
HELP PREDICT BEHAVIOR; Predict behavior based of observed cause effect relations of factors. Use
tests and correlation techniques To UNDERSTAND AND EXPLAIN BEHAVIOR; Involves assembling
the known facts about behavior, gaining insights into the relationships among observable behaviors. To
CONTROL OR CHANGE BEHAVIOR; Control goes hand in hand with prediction. We predict the
, occurrence of a phenomenon because certain conditions exist, then we prevent (control) its occurrence by
changing the conditions
What Psychology is not?
- NOT A MYSTERIOUS NOR SUPERHUMAN WAY OF READING OTHERS’ FEELINGS
AND THOUGHTS.
- MORE THAN JUST “COMMON SENSE”
- DOES NOT BELONG TO THE CATEGORY OF “PSEUDO SCIENCE” LIKE PALMISTRY,
ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY
Historical Background of Psychology
THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Animistic Orientation – Behaviors of man are more speculative and superstitious in nature.
2. Myths and Legends – “Old Tales” became a complex and powerful means of explanation.
3. Philosophy – Man’s actions, feelings and thoughts, perceptions have interested since the dawn of
intelligence.
a. Rationalism – The faith in the strength of REASON and a belief in moral order in the universe
which resides in one’s mind
b. Realism – Brain functions more than the heart in determining conscious experiences
4. Empirical Evidence – period of “REBIRTH” emphasis on data and sense experience with analysis
a. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) – Father of Social Psychology, focused on influence of habit,
friendship, education, and other conditions to human behavior
b. Rene Descartes (1596-1650) – Division between the mind and the physical world
THE MODERN HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Experimental Psychology – Discoveries about the brain and nervous system stimulated inquiries into
the physiological basis of human
2. Psychophysis – mind-body interaction was the thesis of this approach
a. Gustav Fechner (1801-1887) – Father of Psychophysis, exact science of the dependency
between the body and mind
b. Herman Ludwig Von Helmholtz (1821-1894) – Studied the speed of nerve impulse
3. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) – founder of Modern Experimental Psychology, established the first
experimental laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany in 1879. This is the year to which the
establishment of Psychology as a separate science is traced
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES
• Psychology was taught at the University of San Carlos in Cebu and University of Sto. Tomas (UST)
• Psychology was part of the Philosophy Department in 1900s
