13 Questions
What is the subject matter of psychology?
Conscious and unconscious phenomena
What do biological psychologists seek to understand?
Emergent properties of brains
What is the role of a professional practitioner or researcher involved in psychology?
Psychologist
What do some psychologists attempt to understand in individual and social behavior?
Role of mental functions
In what areas do psychologists extend their interests?
Interpersonal relationships, psychological resilience, family resilience
What is the academic scope of psychology?
Immense scope, crossing the boundaries between the natural and social sciences
What does the word 'psychology' derive from?
The Greek word for spirit or soul
Who first used the word psychology in its Latin form 'psychiologia'?
Marko Marulić
According to William James, what did he define psychology as in 1890?
The science of mental life
Who contested William James's definition of psychology, asserting it as a natural science focused on the prediction and control of behavior?
John B. Watson
What does folk psychology refer to?
Ordinary people's understanding of mental states and behaviors
In what context did Steven Blankaart first reference the word psychology in English?
In The Physical Dictionary
What is William James commonly associated with in relation to psychology?
Defining psychology as the study of mental life
Study Notes
Definition and Scope of Psychology
- Psychology is the subject matter that deals with individual and social behavior.
- The academic scope of psychology is broad and extends to various areas.
Biological Psychologists
- Biological psychologists seek to understand the physiological and biological basis of behavior.
Professional Practitioners and Researchers
- Professional practitioners or researchers involved in psychology aim to understand and explain individual and social behavior.
Focus of Psychologists
- Some psychologists attempt to understand why people think, feel, and behave in certain ways in individual and social behavior.
- Psychologists extend their interests to various areas, including cognitive processes, emotions, and social interactions.
Etymology of Psychology
- The word 'psychology' derives from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning mind or soul, and 'logia' meaning study or science.
- The Latin form 'psychiologia' was first used by Rudolf Göckel in 1590.
Historical Perspectives
- William James defined psychology as "the science of mental life, both of its phenomena and their conditions" in 1890.
- John Watson contested William James's definition, asserting that psychology is a natural science focused on the prediction and control of behavior.
Folk Psychology
- Folk psychology refers to the everyday, common-sense understanding of people's mental states and behavior.
Historical References
- Steven Blankaart first referenced the word psychology in English in 1614.
- William James is commonly associated with functionalism, a school of thought in psychology.
Explore the foundational concepts of psychology, including the study of mind, behavior, conscious and unconscious phenomena, mental processes, and its interdisciplinary nature. Learn about the scope of psychology as an academic discipline and its connections to neuroscience and social sciences.
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