Introduction to Psychology

 Introduction to Psychology

What is psychology

The word Psychology is derived  from two Greek words ‘Psyche’ and ‘Logos’, ‘psyche’ means ‘soul’, ‘mind’, ‘conscious’ and ‘behavior’ and ‘logos’ means ‘study’. Thus literally, Psychology means ‘the study of soul’, ‘the study of mind’, ‘the study of conscious’ or ‘the study of behavior’

Psychology as a science of soul

The earliest meaning of psychology was the science of the soul. Philosophers like Pluto, Aristotle, and Descartes interpreted psychology according to this concept. Soul has been neither measured nor has been seen by anyone, so this meaning of psychology was rejected.

Psychology as a science of mind

Philosophers in the middle ages consider psychology as the science of mind. But they could not find the location of the mind. Hence psychology as the science of mind could not progress.

Psychology as the science of consciousness

In the 19th century, some psychologists like William James, Wilhelm Wundt, and others consider psychology as a science of consciousness. By consciousness, the psychologists meant awareness or wakefulness. A great psychologist Freud objected to this meaning of psychology. He said that man is only 10% conscious of his activities. Mostly he is unconscious. So psychology cannot be given the meaning of science of consciousness. Hence this meaning was also rejected.

Psychology as a science of behavior

It is the latest meaning of psychology. Psychology tells us about our behavior. Behavior includes all the activities that man does. It includes internal and external behavior, conscious as well as unconscious behavior. Behavior can be observed. All psychologists are agreed on this meaning of psychology.

 

Definition of Psychology

Here are some of the few and general definitions of psychology by different authors and psychologists like Woodworth, skinner, crow, and crow, etc.

 "The Psychology deals with the activities of the

 individual in relation to his environment."

                                    (According to Woodworth)

 

                                   

"Psychology is the science of behavior and experience."

                                                                                                (According to Skinner)

 

"Psychology today concerns with the scientific investigation

 of behavior.

                                                (According to Munns)

 

“Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior.”

                                                (According to the dictionary of psychology)

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