Psychology: Introduction, Nature, and Origins

Psychology (General Definition)

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes, helping us understand how people think, feel, and act.

Psychology (William James)

Defined as the science of mental life, both of its phenomena and their conditions, focusing on how the mind helps humans function.

Psychology (John B. Watson)

A purely objective experimental branch of natural science focused on the prediction and control of behavior.

Psychology (Sigmund Freud)

The study of the unconscious mind and its influence on behavior, often driven by repressed inner conflicts.

Psychology (B.F. Skinner)

The scientific study of observable behavior driven entirely by environmental conditioning and consequences.

Psychology (Carl Rogers)

The study of human potential and personal growth from a humanistic perspective, focusing on self-actualization and free will.

Individual Differences

The concept in psychology recognizing that every individual is unique in personality, intelligence, emotions, and behavior.

Dynamic Nature of Psychology

The characteristic that human behavior changes with age, experience, environment, and social interactions.

Goal-Oriented Nature

The aim of psychology to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction formulated during the scientific approach to research.

Empirical

A characteristic of the scientific approach meaning the study relies on observation and evidence.

Replicable

The characteristic that research findings can be repeated and verified by other researchers.

Psyche and Logos

Two Greek words forming the origin of 'psychology'; Psyche means soul or mind, and Logos means study or science.

Socrates

Ancient Greek philosopher who emphasized self-knowledge and introspection.

Plato

Ancient Greek philosopher who believed the mind and body were separate and that knowledge was innate.

Aristotle

Author of De Anima (On the Soul) who believed the mind and body function together and studied memory, learning, and perception.

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