What is Psychology?

APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

What is Psychology?

Simply, Psychology is the study of mind and behavior (APA). It deals with the study of mind, how it works and how it affects behavior.

Main points of Psychology

• a scientific study of the mind and behavior,
• the mental or behavioral characteristics of an individual and group (Merriam - Webster),
• includes many subfields (abnormal, anomalistic, behavioral genetics, biological, clinical, cognitive, community, counseling, development, educational, environmental, forensic, health, etc),
• the scientific study of all forms of human and animal behavior, sometimes concerned with the methods through which behavior can be modified (Collins Dictionary).

Goals of Psychology

• to describe behavior which helps in understanding and gaining a better perspective on behavior,
• to explain behavior and what influences it?
• to predict human behavior about how one thinks and act,
• to change behavior which can be constructive in nature.

Stages of Psychology
Philosophical Stage

• Related to soul and mind
• Major contributors: Aristotle (384-322 BC), Plato (427-347)

Structural stage

• Related to consciousness
• Major contributors: Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), Edward Titchener (1867-1927)

Behavioral Stage

• Related to behavior
• Major Contributor: J.B. Watson (1878-1958), Ivan P. Pavlov, Charles Darwin(1809-1882), Francis Galton (1822-1911).

Modern Stage

• Related to science, behavior and mental process

Application of Psychology

Counseling deals with the solution of personal and emotional problems, educational problems and vocational guidance.

Exploring Diversity deals with multicultural issues and global topics like racial, ethnic, gender, prejudice and cultural diversity

Industrial Application deals with designing of equipment, carrier orientation, screen people for jobs.

Develop Human relationship deals with knowing one's and other's characteristics.

Cure abnormal disease deals with removing many problems of mental health.

Solving political problems deal with peace, positive psychology and international concern.

Training of organism deals with molding organism's behavior.

Basic Areas of Psychology
Developmental Psychology
Basic Features

• study of changing abilities from conception to old age and death
• study of quantitative and qualitative changes in human
• study of human characteristics

Child Psychology
Basic Features

• study of children from the prenatal period to adolescence
• describes the particular period of life (infancy, pre-school years, adolescence)

Social Psychology
Basic Features

• studies what influences people
• studies the way people perceive others, and world

Abnormal Psychology
Basic Feature

• studies neurotic, psychotic, and other abnormalities

Cognitive Psychology
Basic Features

• Associated with intelligent actions like thinking, learning, perceiving, planning, imaging, creating, etc
• focuses on how thoughts occur,

Applied Field of Psychology

• Clinical Psychology
• Counseling and Guidance
• Health Psychology
• Industrial Psychology
• Educational Psychology

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.

References:

Niraula, S. (2011). General Psychology. Budhha Academic Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd.

Psychology
 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychology

Psychology Definition and meaning
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/psychology

Subfields of psychology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subfields_of_psychology

What are the four major goals of psychology
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-four-major-goals-of-psychology-2795603

What is Psychology?
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874.php