Introduction to Psychology

• Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.
• Psychologists actively study and understand mental processes, brain functions, and behavior.

Meaning of Psychology

• Psychology's origins are in the Greek words "psychi" (soul) and "logos" (study of soul).
• William James used the word "mind" instead of "soul" in 1890.
• Wilhelm Wundt of Germany defined psychology as the study of consciousness.
• Psychology is currently defined as the systematic study of human and animal behavior.
• Sigmund Freud stated that the mind is divided into three parts: conscious, subconscious, and unconscious.
• Rudolf Gockle used the word psychology in 1590.

Definition

• The Oxford Dictionary defines psychology as the scientific study of mental processes and behavior, including the study of the mind and how it works.
• W. Hamilton defines psychology as the science of human and animal behavior, including the application of this science to solve human behavior.

Scope of Psychology

• Clinical psychology assesses and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
• Counseling psychology primarily helps individuals cope with life challenges and transitions.
• Educational psychology examines learning processes and educational systems to enhance teaching and learning.
• Developmental psychology studies human growth and development across the lifespan, addressing physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional changes.
• Social psychology investigates how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others and their social environment.
• Industrial-organizational psychology applies psychological principles to workplace issues like employee motivation, leadership, and organizational behavior.
• Forensic psychology applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice systems, including criminal profiling and assessment.
• Health psychology studies the interaction between psychological factors and physical health, emphasizing well-being promotion and illness prevention.
• Sports psychology focuses on enhancing athletes' performance and well-being through psychological interventions.
• Neuropsychology studies the relationship between brain function and behavior, often dealing with neurological disorders and injuries.
• Experimental psychology conducts research to understand fundamental psychological processes, contributing to the development of psychological theories.
• General psychology studies the behavior of a normal person in normal life conditions, including learning, intelligence, sensation, and memory.
• Abnormal psychology studies the behavior of an abnormal person, who are suffering from psychological disorders.
• Childhood psychology studies the behavior of children, including their physical, emotional, and moral development.

Methods of Psychology

• Methods of psychology include: introspection method, observation, scientific, clinical, survey, and genetic & development method.

Introspection Method

• Introspection, or self-observation, is the oldest method for studying behavior, introduced by Wilhelm Wundt.
• It provides information about one's own self that is difficult to obtain through other methods.
• It is an easy method and requires no equipment.
• It can form a base for other methods, eg experimental and observation.
• It has the disadvantage of being subjective in nature and lacking scientific objectivity because the observer and the observed are the same.
• Introspection cannot be employed on children and insane people.

Observation Method

• Systematic observation of behavior in natural settings without manipulation, this method replaced introspection with careful observation of human and animal behavior.
• There are two basic types of observation: natural observation and participant observation.

Natural Observation

• Natural observation involves observing the specific behavior and characteristics of subjects in natural settings, where subjects are not aware that their behavior is being observed.

Participant Observation

• Participant observation involves the observer becoming a part of the group they want to observe.
• it is a natural and normal way of knowing not only the external world but also the mind of the subject.
• Merits are that the method is objective in nature and free from personal bias and prejudice.
• Through the participant method, as many children as needed and the study can be done anytime and anywhere.
• The method is suitable for children and abnormal persons who cannot be examined through introspection.
• A demerit is that the overt behavior does not provide reliable information regarding the internal mental.
• It becomes difficult to draw any conclusion in cases of adults who can hide their actual behavior in the presence of the observer.

Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a form of critical thinking based on careful measurement and controlled observation.
• Observation, defining a problem, proposing a hypothesis (an educated guess that can be tested), gathering evidence or testing the hypothesis, publishing results and building a theory are the six basic elements involved in the scientific method.
• The scientific method is also called experimental method.
• Merits are that the method is the most systematic procedure for solving problems and it provides reliable information.
• It provides objective and precise information about the problems.
• It provides innovative ideas for further experimentation
• Applications are in educational, individual, and social problems

Demerits

• It is arranged in an artificial laboratory-like situation.
• Behavior is a natural phenomenon and it may change under artificial environments.
• It is a time-consuming and costly process.
• It requires specialized knowledge & skills.

Clinical Method

• The main objective of the clinical method is to study an individual, diagnose their specific problems to suggest therapeutic measures to rehabilitate them in their environments.
• It involves the following: interview, information gathering, and a hypothesis formulated.
• Diagnoses are then made, and a planned treatment program is created.

Case Study

• This is an in-depth study of the subject.
• It is the in-depth analysis of a person, group, or phenomenon.
• Case studies are most often used in psychology.
• Clinical research is done to describe the rare events & conditions of the subject;
• Case studies are especially used in education psychology

Issues dealt with in education

• Lack of interest in students
• Aggressive behavior in students
• Day dreaming.
• Poor academic Performance
• Emotional Problems
• Social Problems
• Emphathetic understanding
• Find the Problem
• Establish rapport
• Treatment

Survey/Interview Method

• Involves a collection or gathering of information from a large people by using questionnaires or interviews.
• Examples are: political opinion, attiudes, health-care needs, etc..

Merits

• Large amounts of data can be collected in a short time
• Flexibility with a broad scope
• Applicable to many populations

Demerits

• It a costly method
• It is a time consuming method
• Requires a lot of planing

Genetic Method

• This studies growth and changes in behaviors in terms of their development.
• It continues from birth till death and describes the influences for heredity & environment in the.
• Development includes a persons behavior & conditions favorable & infavriable for W development & abnormality.