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Introduction

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mmoriom2002
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8 views

Introduction

Uploaded by

mmoriom2002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental process of living


organism in relation to its environment.

Firstly, psychology deals with living organism. It primarily focuses on human being
as well as other living organism. Secondly, psychology studies behavior and
mental processes such as perception, cognition, emotion and motivation.
Behavior means those activities of an organism that can be observed by a person.
The next element in the definition is environment. The environment can be
internal or external

According to Crider,

“Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of behavior and mental


process”.

Is psychology a science?
Psychology is considered a science because it uses scientific methods to study the
human mind and behavior. Like other sciences, psychology uses systematic
observation, experimentation, and analysis of data to develop and test theories
about how and why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. Psychology
as a science has several characteristics that distinguish it from other fields of
study. These characteristics include:

Empirical methods: Psychology relies on empirical methods to gather data


about human behavior and mental processes. Empirical methods involve
observing, measuring, and analyzing data to develop theories and test
hypotheses.
Objectivity: Psychology strives to be objective in its methods and findings. It
attempts to minimize bias and subjective interpretations of data.

Control: In case of conducting psychological researches and applying


experimental method and controlled environment is must and variable control is
strictly followed.

Replicability: Scientific studies in psychology should be replicable, meaning that


other researchers should be able to reproduce the results of the study using the
same methods and procedures.

Scientific method: One of the major reasons of psychology being a science is its
adaptation to scientific method. Scientific method is an indispensable tool of
psychological research.

Systematic approach: Psychology is a systematic approach to understanding


human behavior and mental processes. It uses logical and organized methods to
gather data and develop theories.
In summary, psychology is a science because it uses empirical methods, strives for
objectivity, aims for replicability, demands falsifiability, and adopts a systematic
approach to studying human behavior and mental processes.

Perspectives of psychology:
Psychology encompasses a diverse array of perspectives, each offering unique
insights into human behavior, cognition, and emotion. These perspectives often
overlap and can be complementary rather than mutually exclusive. Here are some
of the key perspectives in psychology:

1. The neuroscience/biological perspective:


The neuroscience or biological perspective of psychology looks at how our
brains and bodies influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It
examines things like brain structure, genetics, and chemicals in the brain to
understand how they impact our actions and emotions. In simpler terms,
it's like studying how the hardware and chemistry of our bodies affect our
thoughts and actions, similar to how a computer's hardware and software
affect its functions.
2. The psychodynamic perspective:
The psychodynamic perspective of psychology focuses on how unconscious
thoughts, feelings, and childhood experiences shape our behavior and
personality. It's like digging into the hidden layers of our minds to
understand why we act the way we do. This perspective, developed by
Sigmund Freud, suggests that unresolved conflicts from our past can
influence our present behavior without us even realizing it.

3. The behavioural perspective:


The behavioral perspective of psychology studies how our actions are
influenced by our environment and experiences. It's like looking at how
rewards and punishments affect what we do. This perspective, pioneered
by psychologists like B.F. Skinner, emphasizes observable behaviors and
how they're learned through interactions with our surroundings.

4. The cognitive perspective:


The cognitive perspective of psychology focuses on how we think, perceive,
and remember things. It's like exploring the "software" of our minds – how
we process information, solve problems, and make decisions. This
perspective, inspired by thinkers like Jean Piaget examines mental
processes like memory, attention, and problem-solving to understand how
they shape our behavior.

5. The humanistic perspective:


The humanistic perspective of psychology emphasizes people's inherent
goodness and their drive to reach their full potential. It's like shining a light
on our desire to grow and improve as individuals. This perspective,
championed by psychologists like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow,
focuses on concepts like self-actualization and personal growth,
highlighting the importance of understanding and fulfilling our unique needs
and aspirations.

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