Psychology: Origin, Nature, and Branches

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definition, evolution, nature, and various branches of psychology as well as key historical figures and facts.

Mental Philosophy

A separate branch of philosophy that originally covered the 'study of mind' before psychology became an independent branch.

Science

Any systematically arranged body of verified knowledge that deals with a particular type of subject, facts, or events.

Etymological origin of 'Psychology'

Derived from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning soul or spirit, and 'logy' or 'logos' meaning science or rational discourse.

First Stage of Psychology's evolution

Defined as the 'study of soul' based on the literal meaning of 'psyche'.

Second Stage of Psychology's evolution

Defined as the 'study of mind' by philosopher-cum-psychologists.

Third Stage of Psychology's evolution

Defined as the 'study of consciousness' by psychologists such as William James ($1890$), Wilhelm Wundt, and Edward Bradford Tichener ($1894$).

Introspection

The process of looking within, used to describe and explain states of consciousness.

Fourth Stage of Psychology's evolution

The modern era where 'study' was replaced by 'science' and 'consciousness' was replaced by 'total behaviour', including conscious and unconscious activities.

William McDougall's definition ($1949$)

A science which aims to give us better understanding and control of the behaviour of the organism as a whole.

J.B. Watson ($1878$-$1958$)

The psychologist who popularized the term 'behaviour' and defined psychology as the positive science of behaviour.

Behaviour (Charles E. Skinner, $1938$)

All forms of processes, adjustment, activities, and experiences of the organism in response to any situation presented by life.

Stimulus

The influence which the environment exercises on an organism that arouses it to activity.

Response

The activity aroused in an organism as a result of a stimulus, such as jumping after a pin-prick.

Positive Science

A science that studies and describes facts as they are (e.g., psychology or physical sciences) without evaluating whether behavior is good or bad.

Normative Science

Sciences like logic, philosophy, and ethics that seek to evaluate behavior and determine 'what ought to be'.

Pure Psychology

The category of psychology that provides the framework, theory, and formulation of psychological principles and methods.

Applied Psychology

The category of psychology where theories generated through pure psychology find practical expression in various fields.

General Psychology

A branch of pure psychology dealing with fundamental rules and theories regarding the behaviour of normal adult human beings.

Abnormal Psychology

The branch concerned with describing the causes, symptoms, and treatment of behavior in abnormal people.

Social Psychology

The branch dealing with group behaviour, inter-relationships, group dynamics, attitudes, and social distance.

Experimental Psychology

The branch explaining ways to carry out psychological experiments under controlled or laboratory situations.

Developmental Psychology

The branch explaining the processes of growth from birth to old age, including child, adolescent, and adult psychology.

Physiological Psychology

The branch explaining the biological basis of behavior, focusing on the brain, nervous system, and functioning of glands.

Geo Psychology

A branch focusing on the relation of physical environment (weather, climate, soil) with behavior.

Para Psychology

A branch dealing with extra sensory perception, precognition, telepathy, and claims of rebirth.

Educational Psychology

A branch of applied psychology that applies principles to human behaviour in educational situations to improve teaching and learning.

Clinical Psychology

The branch identifying causes of mental illness and suggesting individual or group therapy for effective adjustment.

Industrial Psychology

A branch applying psychological principles to industrial environments, including consumer tastes, personnel selection, and labor relations.

Legal Psychology

The branch studying behaviors of clients and criminals to improve crime detection and rehabilitative measures.

Military Psychology

The branch concerned with morale, recruitment, fighting capabilities, and counter-propaganda in armed forces.

Political Psychology

The branch using psychological techniques to study group behavior, diplomacy, and public opinion for political gains.

Rudolph Goclenius the Elder

A German scholastic philosopher ($1547$-$1628$) often credited with coining the term 'Psychology' in $1590$.

Wilhelm Wundt

Regarded as the father of modern experimental psychology; he opened the first dedicated psychology laboratory in $1879$ at the University of Leipzig.

Sigmund Freud

The father of Psychoanalysis who compared the human mind to an iceberg and focused on unconscious aspects of personality.

Narendra Nath Sen Gupta

Recognized as a founder of modern psychology in India; established the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Calcutta in $1940$.

Tabula rasa

John Locke's concept that the mind of an infant is a blank slate until it is exposed to experiences.