Psychology – Meaning and Definition

Psychology – Meaning and Definition

1. Psychology – Meaning and Definition Suresh Babu G Assistant Professor

2. Psychology The word Psychology was used for the first time in 1950 by Rudolf Gockel , the German scholastic philosopher. Etymologically the term has its origin from two Greek words – Psyche (Soul) and Logos (science). Thus psychology means science of soul.

3. Meaning of Psychology The Oxford Dictionary defines psychology as the study of the mind and how it works. The scientific Encyclopedia describes the term psychology as the science dealing with the mind and mental process, feelings, emotions, desires and personality traits.

4. Definitions of Psychology According to Crow and Crow, psychology is the study of human behaviour and human relationships. Skinner Considers psychology as the science of behaviour and experience. According to Woodworth and Marquis, Psychology is the scientific study of the activities of the individual in relation to his environment.

5. Evolution of the Concept of Psychology Four distinct phases can be seen in the evolution of the concept of psychology. Phase I – Psychology as the science of soul : Greek philosophers like Democritus, Plato and Aristotle interpreted psychology as the study of soul. According to them the function of psychology was to study the nature, origin and destiny of the human soul. But it was rejected by later psychologists because they failed to establish the existence of soul due to its metaphysical nature

6. Phase II – Psychology as the science of mind: At 18 th and the beginning of 19 th century, Descartes, Kant, Locke, Hobbes etc substituted soul with mind and psychology was called as a science of mind. The nature of the mind was taken in different ways by different psychologists and this led to confusion and hence this definition was also rejected. Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

7. Phase III – Psychology as the science of Consciousness : In later 19 th century, Psychologists like William James, Wilhelm Wundt. etc become aware of the importance of sensory experiences in mental activities and defined psychology as the science of Consciousness. This definition was also rejected because consciousness is only a negligible portion of total personality , not considering subconscious and unconscious activities of mind. Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

8. Phase IV – Psychology as the Science of Behaviour : In the beginning of the 20 th century psychologists like Watson, Skinner, Tolman etc give importance to studies man’s observable actions ( behaviour ) in psychological , so stated psychology as the science of human behaviour . Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

9. The first definition of psychology in terms of behaviour was given by Pillsbury who defined psychology as the science of human behaviour . To sum up Woodworth stated that First psychology lost its soul, then its mind, then lost its consciousness. It still has behaviour of a sort. Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

10. Nature of Psychology Psychology is scientific It is a experimental science Its method is scientific It is factual It has a theoretical base It is positive science

11. It is not a perfect science It has functional aspects in form of various branches It emphasizes the search for truth The laws of psychology are universal Nature of Psychology

12. Functions of Psychology To understand human behaviour To identify factors that in influence behaviour To understand individual difference To understand the causes of crimes and their cures To treat mental illness To provide effective education To understand oneself and others