Chapter 1

What is psychology

Q: What is psychology? Explain the three terms used to define

psychology?
Psychology is defined formally as a science that studies mental processes,
experiences and behaviors in different contexts.
The three terms used to define psychology are
a) Mental Processes is our consciousness or awareness. Mental processes are
usually used when we think or to solve a problem, to know or remember
something. One level at which these mental processes are reflected in brain
activity. Unlike the brain, our mind does not have a physical structure or a definite
location. Mental processes are active even when we are asleep.eg: dream, we
receive information such as knock on the door.
b) Experiences are subjective in nature which are studied by psychologists. We
cannot directly observe or know someone else’s experience, only the experiencing
person can be aware or conscious of her or his experiences. Experiences are
embedded in our consciousness or awareness. It is influenced by the internal and
external conditions of the experiencer
c) Behaviors are responses or reactions we make or activities we engage in.
Behaviors may be simple or complex, short or enduring, overt or covert. Overt
behaviors means they can be outwardly seen or sensed by an observer.eg: (i)
Blinking of eyes when a stone is hurled at a person. Covert behaviors are internal
and cannot be seen by an observer.eg: The twitching of hand muscles while
playing a game of chess.
Q: Is mind and behavior related? Justify
• Earlier, it was believed there is no relationship between mind and body, but
now, as per various research in neuroscience, proves that there is a
relationship between mind and behavior.
• Using positive visualization and positive emotions, one can bring about
significant changes in the bodily process.
• Mental imagery technique has been used to cure various phobias
• A new discipline called Psychoneuroimmunology has emerged in recent
times which primarily explains the significant role of the mind in
strengthening our immune system.

Q: How can you distinguish scientific psychology from the popular

notions about the discipline of psychology?

Scientific psychology Popular notion about psychology

It is based on scientific study of It uses common-sense knowledge to

psychological phenomenon. understand behavior.

It explains the psychological

It explains the phenomenon based on
phenomenon systematically based on
experiences, sayings or beliefs.
empirical data.

It studies behaviors to predicted before It explains events in hindsight after

they occur. they occur.

Q .Evolution of psychology:
• Structuralism:
❖ Developed by Wilhelm Wundt
❖ First laboratory in Leipzig, Germany
❖ He studied the conscious experiences
❖ He wanted to analyse the contituents or building blocks of the mind
❖ Structure of the min was analyze using a method called introspection
❖ Introspection is the procedure in which subject in the psychological
experiments were asked to describe in detail their own mental process or
experience
❖ Psychologists during wundt’s time who used this process is called
structuralists
❖ It was considered less scientific as introspective reports couldn't be verified
by outside observers
• Functionalism:
❖ American psychologist William James set the laboratory in Cambridge,
Massachusetts
❖ He used functionalist approach to study the human mind
❖ According to him psychology should study what the mind does and how
behavior function to make people deal with the environment
❖ He states that consciousness is an ongoing stream of mental process
interacting with the environment. This is the core of psychology
❖ John dewey,an educationalsit argues that human's function effectively by
adapting to their environment.
• Gestalt psychology
❖ Emerged in 20th century
❖ It focused on the organization of perceptual experience
❖ According to them, experience is holistic
❖ Gestalt psychologist argued that our perceptual experience is more than the
sum of components of perception
• Behaviorism
❖ Proposed by john Watson in 1910
❖ For Watson, mind is not observable, and introspection is subjective, and
psychology should focus on what is observable and verifiable
❖ He defines psychology as the study of behavior or response to a stimulus
which can be measured and studied objectively.
• Psychoanalysis
❖ Proposed by sigmund freud
 ❖ He viewed human behaviour as a manifestation of unconcious desires and
conflict.
• Humanistic perspective:
❖ Proposed by carl roger and Abraham Maslow
❖ They emphasized on free will of human being and natural striving to grow
and unfold inner potential.
• Cognitive perspective:
❖ It is a combination of gestalt approach and structuralism.
❖ It focuses on how we know the world
❖ Some cognitive psychologists view the human mind as an information
processing system.
• Constructivism:
❖ Modern cognitive psychology view human being as actively constructing
their mind through exploring the world

Q: Define cognition
Cognition is the process of knowing. It involves thinking, understanding,
memorizing, problem solving and a host of other mental processes by which our
knowledge of the world develops.

Q: Mention various branches of psychology: -

Cognitive Psychology: investigates mental processes involved in acquisition,

storage, manipulation, and transformation of information received from the
environment along with its use and communication. The major cognitive processes
are attention, perception, memory, reasoning, problem solving, decision-making and
language. Psychologists study the mental process in laboratory setting or use
ecological approach (natural setting). They often collaborate with neuroscientists
and computer scientists.
Biological psychology: Biological Psychology focuses on the relationship between
behavior and the physical system, including the brain and the rest of the nervous
system, the immune system, and genetics. Hey collaborate with neuroscientist,
anthropologist, and zoologist.

Developmental Psychology: Developmental Psychology studies the physical, social,

and psychological changes that occur at different ages and stages over a lifespan,
from conception to old age. They focus on how we become what we are. They focus
on biological, sociocultural, and environmental factors that influence our
intelligence, cognition, emotion, temperament etc.

(Q: In terms of helping solve an important social problem such as crime,

which branch of psychology do you think is most suitable?)

Social Psychology: Social Psychology explores how people are affected by their
social environments, how people think about and influence others. They study topics
like conformity, obedience, attitudes, interpersonal attraction, prejudice etc.

Cross-cultural and Cultural Psychology: Cross-cultural and Cultural Psychology

examines the role of culture in understanding behavior, thought, and emotion.
According to them, behavior should be studied in its socio-cultural context.

(Q: How can knowledge of the field of environmental psychology be

used to promote environmentally friendly behavior?)

Environmental Psychology: Environmental Psychology studies the interaction of

physical factors such as temperature, humidity, pollution, and natural disasters on
human behavior. The influence of the workplace on health, emotional state and
interpersonal relationships are also investigated.

Thus, an understanding of human behavior in relation to environment generates

awareness and inculcates safe environmental practices.
Health Psychology: Health Psychology focuses on the role of psychological factors
(for example, stress, anxiety) in the development, prevention, and treatment of
illness. They study stress and coping, the relationship between psychological factors
and health, patient doctor relationships etc.

Clinical & Counselling Psychology: Clinical and Counselling Psychology deals

with causes, treatment, and prevention of different types of psychological disorders
such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and chronic substance abuse.

(Q: Praveen is a student of grade 11 and he thinks he is weak in studies

as compared to others. He cannot perform good in any field. Which
psychologist should he consult. Justify your answer.)

Counselling psychology aims to improve everyday functioning by helping people

solve their problems in daily life, and face challenges effectively. They work with
less serious problems. They work with students and advise them on career planning
and personal problems.

(Q: Differentiate between clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist:)

Clinical Psychology Psychiatry

Has a degree in psychology which Has a medical degree with years of
includes intensive training in treating specialized training in treating
people with psychological disorder psychological disorders
Cannot prescribe medicine or Can prescribe medicine and
electroshock treatment electroshock treatment

Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Industrial/Organisational Psychology deals

with workplace behaviour, focusing on both the workers and the organisations that
employ them. Industrial/organisational psychologists are concerned with training
employees, improving work conditions, and developing criteria for selecting
employees.They are trained in cognitive and social psychology
Educational Psychology: Educational Psychology studies how people of all ages
learn. Educational psychologists primarily help develop instructional methods and
materials used to train people in both educational and work settings. They are also
concerned with research on issues of relevance for education, counselling and
learning problems.

Q: What are the problems for which collaboration of psychologists

with other disciplines can be fruitful? Take any two problems to
explain.
The problems for which collaboration of psychologists with other disciplines can
be fruitful are as follows:

(ii) While dealing with a criminal case, it is important for a lawyer or a criminologist
to understand the psychology of a witness or the criminal. It is also necessary to
decide the degree of punishment valid for a crime. Thus, it is important for a lawyer
or a criminologist to have the knowledge of psychology in order to regulate the legal
system of a country.

(iii) It is important for an architect or an engineer to satisfy his/her customers by

providing with mental and physical space in a building. Further, an engineer should
also consider the human habits while construction. Thus, they need to have a
psychological knowledge in order to understand the needs and demands of their
customers.

Q: How would knowledge of psychology help a person to become a

professional journalist?
The media have a major influence on our thinking, attitudes and our emotions. A
journalist in reporting news must know the readers' interests in the story. Since
most stories deal with human events, knowledge of their motives and emotions is
very important. A story will make more impact if it is based on a background of
psychological knowledge and insight.
Q: What is the role of psychologists in the field of medicine?

Doctors have understood that a healthy body requires a healthy mind. The role of
psychologists is to prevent people from engaging in health hazardous behaviors
and in adhering to the prescribed doctor's regimen. Also, while treating patients
suffering from cancer, AIDS or handling patients in the ICU, doctors felt the need
of psychological counselling. A successful doctor looks at the psychological and
physical wellbeing of the doctor.

Q: Describe some areas of everyday life where understanding of

psychology can be practiced.
Some of the areas of everyday life where understanding of psychology can be put
into practice are as follows:

• Psychology helps to understand various personal problems like family,

marriage and work sphere. It also helps to deal with larger problems related
to community and society.
• Psychology enables an individual to understand oneself in a balanced and
positive way , in order to deal with everyday challenges and meet with
personal expectations.
• Understanding of psychology further helps in analysing the various social,
economic and political problems that affect an individual’s life and their
solution at individual and collective level.
• Psychology helps in understanding the cause of violence and need for
cooperation that makes people wise, which improves societal relationships by
avoiding conflict, frustration and aggression.
• Psychological analysis also enables in decision-making for various spheres
and cultivating healthy lifestyles.