Understanding Psychology
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour and mental processes. Behaviour includes observable actions, while mental processes include activities such as thinking, remembering, feeling, perceiving and problem-solving.
Psychology as a Discipline
Psychology draws on scientific methods while studying people in social and cultural contexts. It is therefore connected to both natural and social sciences.
Mind and Behaviour
Behaviour is influenced by biological processes, learning, cognition, emotions, personality and social context. A single behaviour usually cannot be explained adequately by one factor alone.
Evolution of Psychology
Modern psychology developed from philosophical questions about mind and from scientific approaches to human behaviour. Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory in Leipzig in 1879 is commonly associated with the formal establishment of psychology as an experimental discipline.
Psychology in India
Psychological ideas in India have roots in philosophical and contemplative traditions as well as modern institutional psychology. Indian psychology developed through universities, research centres and applications in education, health and society.
Branches and Applications
Branches include areas such as cognitive, developmental, social, clinical, counselling, educational, organisational and health psychology. These areas apply psychological knowledge to different questions and settings.
Explained MCQs
- Which statement best describes psychology?
Answer: The systematic study of behaviour and mental processes.
Explanation: Psychology is broader than the study of mental illness and includes normal behaviour, cognition, emotion, development and social interaction. - Why is psychology connected to both natural and social sciences?
Answer: Human behaviour has biological as well as social and cultural dimensions.
Explanation: Psychology can investigate brain and sensory processes scientifically while also studying relationships, culture and social behaviour.
Application
A student performs poorly in an examination. Give four different psychological factors that could be investigated before concluding why it happened.
HOTS
Explain why a single psychological explanation should not automatically be treated as sufficient for complex human behaviour.