Interesting Sayings
“Imagination is more important than knowledge…”
–
Albert Einstein
“In real terms everyone is a psychologist”
–
Dr. Rajesh Verma
“Psychology often runs against common sense”
–
It was demonstrated by Dweck in 1975.
Meaning
Psychology is derived
from two Greek words Psyche + Logos. ‘Psyche’ means ‘Soul’ ‘Logos’ means ‘Science
or study of a subject’. So, psychology was a study of soul or mind (NCERT). But
now it has graduated to a science that studies behaviour and underlying mental
processes.
Introduction
Psychology has its root
in Philosophy. It is a discipline that covers large range of phenomena because
it is a science of behaviour and mind. It seeks to understand the
complexity of human behaviour in the light of various factors such as
biological, social, cognitive, situational etc. To gain insights about the
human behaviour, it uses methods of both physical as well as social sciences. It
studies mental health problems, perception, connection between brain &
behaviour, attention, stress, emotions, intelligence, phenomenology,
motivation, brain functioning, interpersonal relations, group behaviour &
its dynamics, resilience and personality.
In traditional Indian
literature the psychological thought is found in terms of clear distinction
between transient ‘Self and Eternal Unchanging Soul’ (wikipedia).
Definition
“Psychology is scientific
study of behaviour management”. (Dr. Rajesh Verma)
“Psychology is defined formally
as a science which studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in
different contexts” (NCERT, XI).
“The science of mental life, both of its phenomena and their conditions”
(William James, 1880).
Three Components of
Definition
1. Behaviour – All outward or overt actions and reactions such as talking, facial
expression and movements (Ciccarelli & Meyer, 2016). In other words all
responses, reactions and activities we make.
2. Mental Processes – All covert cognitive activities (thinking, perception,
remembering, feeling, knowing, learning, attention etc.) of our mind.
3. Experiences – The events or occurrences that are embedded in our
awareness or consciousness. These subjective in nature and cannot be known to
other person.
Two Parallel Streams of
Psychology
Stream A (Psychology as a natural science) – It uses methods of physical and
biological sciences. It focuses on biological principles to explain behaviour.
Theory-Hypothesis-Testing-if required modification in theory.
Stream B (Psychology as a social science) – It uses methods of social and
cultural sciences. It focuses on explanation of behaviour between the person
and his socio-cultural environment.
Mind and Behaviour
Relationship
The mind and behaviour
are related to each other. It has been demonstrated by neuroscientists that
suggests that positive visualization can bring positive physical changes in
body (Ornish, 1990). The mental imagery have been used to cure various kinds of
phobias, physical illness such as blockage in arteries etc. Imagery can trigger
a full spectrum of physiological responses which can either help or hinder our
health and well-being (Amendola). The concept of phantom limbs or
transformation of real parents into impostor parents is the handy work of mind.
Branches of Psychology
1. Cognitive Psychology,
2. Biological Psychology,
3. Neuropsychology,
4. Developmental Psychology,
5. Social Psychology,
6. Cultural and Cross-cultural
Psychology,
7. Environmental Psychology,
8. Health Psychology,
9. Clinical and Counselling
Psychology,
10. Industrial/Organizational
Psychology,
11. Educational Psychology,
12. Sports Psychology,
13. Forensic Psychology.
14. Child and Women Psychology
and
15. Military Psychology.
References:
1. NCERT, XI Psychology Text
book.
2. https://www.ornish.com/zine/stress-free-sunday-imagery/
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