Understanding the Meaning and Nature of Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, evolving from early notions of soul study to the modern focus on behavior. The nature of psychology as a science emphasizes its theoretical and applied aspects, belief in cause-and-effect relationships, use of scientific methods, adaptability to new research findings, and universal applicability of established principles.
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MEANING AND NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Meaning and Nature of Psychology: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental process. Behavior includes all of our overt actions and reactions, such as verbal and facial expressions and movements. The word Psychology is originally derived from two Greek word i.e., psycho and logos. Psycho meaning soul and logos meaning study. So, originally Psychology means the study of soul or science of soul. Philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Descartes interpreted psychology according to this concept. Soul has been neither measured nor has been seen by anyone, so this meaning of Psychology was rejected.
Philosophers in the middle age consider Psychology as the science of mind. But they could not find the location of the mind. It also faced some questions such as what is mind? How can it be studied and consequently this definition was also rejected. In the 19th century, some psychologist like William James Wilhelm Wundt, and others consider Psychology as the science of consciousness. By consciousness, the psychology meant awareness or wakefulness. A great psychologist Freud objected to this meaning of psychology. He said that man is only 10% conscious of his activities. Mostly he is unconscious. So, psychology cannot be given the meaning of science of consciousness. Hence this meaning was also rejected.
Psychology as a science of behavior is the latest meaning of psychology. Psychology tells us about our behavior. Behavior includes all the activities that man does. It includes internal and external behavior, conscious as well as unconscious behavior. Behavior can be observed. All psychologists agreed on these meaning of psychology. Therefore, Wood worth said that first psychology lost its soul, then lost its mind, then it lost consciousness. It still has behavior of a kind. Therefore, psychology is defined as a science which studies mental process, experience and behavior in different context.
Nature of Psychology: Psychology is a science. Its nature is quite scientific and not philosophical or mysterious as supposed to be considered in days gone by. 1/ Every science subject can be characterized and distinguished on the very bases that it has both theoretical and applied aspects viz pure physics and applied physics, pure mechanics and applied mechanics. Psychology is also known to be categorized in similar way i.e. pure psychology and applied psychology and therefore it should be included in the category of science.
2/ Like Science, it believes in cause-and-effect relationship by emphasizing that every behavior has its roots, the factors of its causing and nurturing. 3/ Like Science, it uses scientific methods like observation and experimentation for the study of behaviors. 4/ In Psychology we can bring changes in the facts and principles of psychology in light of the new experiments and researches. 5/ Like Science the established facts, laws and principles of psychology enjoy universal applicability. However, it is not so perfect as science as the other natural and physical sciences. In fact, it is a developing behavioral science that is trying hard to become as much objective, exact and accurate as possible to be on a par with the developed sciences. Therefore, it is termed as a developing positive science (not as a science) or behavior.
