INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

In the beginning psychology was called the study of soul. The word psychology comes from two Latin words: "Psyche," which means soul, mind and spirit, and "Logia," which means the study/knowledge of. Later the definition was refined it is now defined as-

Psychology is a science which studies mental processes, experiences and behavior in different contexts.

Behavior is defined as the observable or measurable response by a person or animal. Psychology studies all behavior of both animals and humans. While some of this can be inherited (hereditary influences), others are learned (environmental influences). This behaviour can be conscious or unconscious, normal or abnormal and can differ from individual to individual.

When we say the word behavior as a result of psychological studies it is not casual or without motive. This study of behavior and mental processes has its purpose in understanding, prediction, modification, or improvement of actions or thoughts. By experiences are internal to the experiencing person, we refer to states of consciousness or awareness or mental processes. We use our mental processes when we think or try to solve a problem, to know or remember something. One level at which these mental processes are reflected is the brain activity.

Psychologists also study experiences of people. Experiences are subjective in nature. We cannot directly observe or know someone else’s experience. Only the experiencing person can be aware or be conscious of her or his experiences. Thus, experiences are embedded in our awareness or consciousness. If you are travelling in a crowded bus during a hot summer day, you may not experience the usual discomfort if you are going for a picnic with some close friends. Thus, the nature of experience can only be understood by analyzing a complex set of internal and external conditions.

Behaviors are responses or reactions we make or activities we engage in. When something is hurled at you, your eyes blink in a simple reflex action. All behaviors, covert or overt, are associated with or triggered by some stimulus in the environment or changes that happen internally.

Psychology, though it is a very old knowledge discipline, is a young science, if one were to take the year of the founding of the first laboratory of psychology in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany by Wilhelm Wundt. Wundt was interested in the study of conscious experience and wanted to analyze the constituents or the building blocks of the mind.

Psychology finds its root is philosophy. Psychology deals with human behavior and experience in the context of their society and culture. Thus, psychology is a social science with focus on the individuals and communities in relation to their socio-cultural and physical environment.

As a natural science, psychologists formulate hypothesis and using empherical data, they test those hypotheses and formulate theories.

It was earlier believed by scientists that there is no relationship between the mind and the body and that they were parallel to each other. Recent studies in affective neuroscience have clearly shown that there is a relationship between mind and behavior. It has been shown that using positive visualization techniques and feeling positive emotions, one can bring about significant changes in bodily processes.

For example, if a friend you love goes away to a distant place, what will happen to your attraction for her/him? There are two sayings which you may recall answering this question. One of them is “Out of sight, out of mind”. The second one is “Distance makes the heart grow fonder”. Both of them make opposite statements, so which one is true. The explanation you choose will depend on what happens in your life after your friend leaves. Suppose you are able to find a new friend, the saying “Out of sight, out of mind” will be used by you or others to explain your behavior. If you are unable to find a new friend, you will keep remembering our friend fondly. In this case, the saying “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” will explain your behavior. Notice that in both cases the explanation follows the occurrence of behavior. Common sense is based on hindsight.

Psychology as a science looks for patterns of behavior which can be predicted and not explained after the behavior occurs.

There are many other common-sense notions which you may not find to be true. Not too long ago it was believed in some cultures that men are more intelligent than women or women cause more accidents than men. Empirical studies have shown that both of these are untrue. Common sense also tells us that one is not able to give one’s best if you are asked to perform before a large audience. Psychological studies have shown that if you have practiced well, you may actually perform better because the presence of others helps your performance.

REFERENCES

• NCERT CLASS 11 PSYCHOLOGY BOOK

• CLIFFORD T. MORGAN (1993). INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (SEVENTH EDITION). TATA McGRAW-HILL EDITION

• BARON, ROBERT A. & MISRA G. (2014). PSYCHOLOGY: SOUTH ASIAN EDITION. PEARSON, DELHI