The word "psychology" is the combination of two terms - study (ology) and soul (psyche), or mind. The derivation of the word from Latin gives it this clear and obvious meaning:
The study of the soul or mind.
study of animal and human behavior
the study of observable behavior
Psychology is best defined as the study of the mind and of human behavior. Some define it as an art while others define it as a science.
Psychology is the study of human behaviors and thought patterns. It is important to understand these behaviors in order to help those who need it.
define psychology and its method ?
The first person to define the term "psychologist" in a formal sense was the German philosopher and physiologist Wilhelm Wundt, who is often regarded as the father of modern psychology. Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in 1879, marking the separation of psychology from philosophy and physiology. His work laid the foundation for psychology as a distinct scientific discipline, focusing on the study of conscious experience and behavior.
Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Debates by early psychologists helped to define psychology as its own branch of science. These early debates include:1. How should Psychology be defined?2. What is the proper subject matter of psychology?3. Which areas of human experience should be studied?4. what methods should be used to investigate psychological issues?5. Should psychology include the study of nonhuman animal behavior?6. Should psychological findings be used to change or enhance behavior?These debates helped set the tone of the new science, define its scope, and set its limits.Physiology's credits toward Psychology:1. That scientific methods could be applied to issues of human behavior and thinking.Philosophy's:1. The nature-nurture issue. (hereditary versus environment)((For years philosophers debated which was more important: the inborn nature of the individual or the environmental influences that nurture the individual.
The two goals of psychology that best define the role of an experimental psychologist are understanding behavior and predicting behavior. Experimental psychologists conduct research to study and analyze behavior, with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of why people act the way they do and making predictions based on their findings.
Clinical Psychology: Focuses on diagnosing and treating individuals with mental health issues. Developmental Psychology: Studies how individuals grow and change over the course of their lives. Cognitive Psychology: Examines mental processes like memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. Social Psychology: Investigates how individuals are influenced by the presence and actions of others. Experimental Psychology: Conducts research to understand behavior and mental processes using scientific methods.
One of the major contributors to cognitive psychology is Ulric Neisser, who is often referred to as the "father of cognitive psychology." His seminal book, "Cognitive Psychology," published in 1967, helped define the field and emphasized the study of mental processes such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. Neisser's work integrated insights from various disciplines, including psychology, linguistics, and artificial intelligence, laying the groundwork for future research in cognitive science.
Health psychology is a field that focuses on understanding how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. It involves studying behavior patterns, emotions, and beliefs to promote better health outcomes and prevent illness.
Theories provide frameworks for understanding and explaining phenomena in psychology. Hypotheses are specific predictions derived from theories that can be tested through research. Operational definitions define how variables are measured or manipulated in a study. Replication is crucial for confirming the reliability and validity of research findings in psychology.