Subject Matter of Psychology

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).

What psychology students need to study?

          In simplest terms ‘behaviour is the axis’ of study of psychology. Behaviour in its narrower terms are observable actions such as hand gestures, facial expressions, verbal response etc. whereas in its whole terms it is has wider ramifications & applications. It is the product of biological & cognitive activities that are modelled inside the brain which is popularly known as mental process. For ease of understanding and exact research the ‘Mental Process’ is further sub-divided into various domains that form the subject matter of psychology. It forms the foundation and helps in understanding the psychological concepts and constructs.

Psychological concepts and constructs studied for basic understanding

1.       Biological bases of behaviour (Nature) – Role of glands, nervous system and genetic factors in behaviour.

2.       Socio-cultural factors that influences human behaviour (Nurture) – The influence of presence of other people (Socio-cultural) & environmental factors  on behaviour.

3.       Sensation, perception and Illusion – Reception of information by senses, the process of becoming aware of information received by senses and a perception that mismatches with reality.

4.       Attention, thinking & problem solving – The selective concentration on a stimuli without any regard for other stimuli, processing of information for some purpose, the process of reaching to a solution.

5.       Learning – The permanent modification of behaviour due to experience.

6.       Intelligence – The global and aggregate capacity of an individual to think

rationally, act purposefully, and deal effectively with environment.

7.       Personality – Specific and distinctive individual responding pattern vis-à-vis individuals and situations.

8.       Language acquisition and its consequent effects – Learning and appropriate use of language.

9.       Human development – Development is the pattern of progressive, orderly, and predictable changes that begin at conception and continue throughout life (NCERT).

10.     Psychopathology – Study of abnormal and maladaptive behaviour i.e. psychological disorders, their diagnosis, causes and treatment.

11.     Psychometrics – Theory and technique of psychological measurement and assessment.

12.     Individual differences – The differential behaviour and response set of individuals.

13.     Psycho-physical health – The relation between psychological and physical health.

14.     Motivation – The process by which activities are started, directed, and continued so that physical & psychological needs are met (Ciccarelli & Meyer, 2016).

15.     Consciousness: Awareness of surroundings and happenings,

          Sleep – it is the altered state of consciousness,

          Dreams – Mental activities that visualize random events,

          Hypnosis – Focused state of concentration which significantly increases           suggestibility.

16.     Memory – Psycho-physical system of receiving, organization, storing and retrieving of information, and Forgetting – Failure to recall the stored information.

17.     Emotions – A physiological aroused state which has been felt and expressed through behaviour.

Reference:

1.       NCERT, XI Psychology Text book.

2.       Goodwin, C. J. (2008). A History of Modern Psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.

4.       Ciccarelli, S. K. & Meyer, G. E. (2016). Psychology. Noida: Pearson India.