CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY

1. What is psychology? OR Define the term Psychology. (2)

• The term psychology is derived from two Greek words psyche meaning soul and logos meaning
science or study of a subject.

• Psychology is defined as a science which studies mental processes, experiences and behavior in different
contexts.
2. What are mental processes? (2)

Mental processes

• Refers to states of consciousness or awareness. We use our mental processes when we think or try
to solve a problem, to know or remember something.

• Examples of mental processes are remembering, learning, knowing, perceiving, feeling etc.

• Unlike brain, the mind does not have a physical structure nor has a location. Mind emerges as our
interactions and experiences get organized in the form of a system which is responsible for the
occurrence of various mental processes.

3. What do you understand by the term experiences? OR ‘Experiences are subjective in

nature’. Comment on this statement. (2)

Experiences

• Experiences are subjective in nature. We cannot directly observe or know someone else’s
experience. Only the experiencing person can be aware or be conscious of her or his experiences.

• Experiences are influenced by internal and external conditions of the experiencer. If you are
traveling in a crowded bus during a hot summer day, you may not experience the usual discomfort if
you are going for a picnic with some close friends.

4. What is behavior? Give examples of overt and covert behaviors? (1+0.5+0.5)

Behaviors
• Behaviors are responses or reactions we make or activities we engage in.
• Behaviors may be simple or complex, short or enduring. Some behaviors are overt. They can be
outwardly seen or sensed by an observer. E.g. blinking, yawning etc. Some are internal or covert.
They can only be felt by the experiencing person. E.g. twitching, pulsing of veins etc.

5. Differentiate between psychology as a natural science and psychology as a social

science. (2+2=4)

Psychology as a discipline

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 1

• Psychology as a discipline seeks to understand and explain behavior, mental processes and
experiences in a systematic and verifiable manner.
• The first laboratory of psychology was established in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany.
Natural science
• Here, psychology considers itself as a discipline, which focuses largely on biological principles to
explain human behavior.
• Hypothetico-deductive model suggests that scientific advancement can take place if we have a
theory to explain a phenomenon.
• Theory is set of statements about how a phenomenon can be explained.
• Based on theory, scientists deduce hypotheses, a tentative explanation of how a certain
phenomenon takes place. The hypotheses is then tested and proved true or false based on empirical
data.
• It assumes that all behavioral phenomena have causes which can be discovered if we can collect data
systematically under controlled conditions.
• The aim of the researcher is to know the cause and effect relationship so that a prediction of the
behavioral phenomenon can be made and behavior can be controlled if need be.

Social science
• On the other hand, psychology as a social science focuses on how behavioral phenomena can be
explained in terms of the interaction that takes place between the person and the socio-cultural
context of which s/he is a part.
• Each behavioral phenomenon is assumed to have multiple causes. Humans are not only influenced by
their socio-cultural contexts, they also create them.
• Psychology as a social science discipline focuses on humans as social beings.
6. How does mind affect our behavior? OR Quote studies to prove that mind affects our
behavior. (4)
• It was earlier believed that there is no relationship between the mind and body and they are parallel
to each other. Recent studies show that there is a relationship between mind and behavior.
• By using visualization techniques and feeling positive emotions one can bring about significant
changes in bodily processes. Use of mental imagery has been used to cure various kinds of phobias.
• Some patients whose occipital lobes were surgically removed have been found responding correctly
to location and configuration of visual cues.
• A young man who suffered from brain injury in an accident, after returning home claimed that his
parents have been replaced by duplicates.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 2

7. How can you distinguish scientific psychology from the popular notions about the
discipline of psychology? (3)
• Common sense is based on hindsight. Psychology as a science looks for patterns of behavior which
can be predicted and not explained after the behavior occurs.
• Study by Dweck (1975) - Objective: How could students be helped if they gave up easily when
faced with a difficult problem or failure. Common sense- give them easy problems in order to
increase their success rate so that their confidence goes up. Findings: Those who always
succeeded because they were given easy problems gave up much faster when they faced failure than
those who had experience of both success and failure and were taught to attribute their failure to
their lack of effort.
8. Give a brief account of the evolution of Psychology. (6)
Evolution Proponent Main idea
1) Structuralism Wilhelm Wundt Interested in the study of conscious experience. Studied the
structure of the mind through introspection and therefore
were called ‘structuralists’. ‘Introspection’ was used procedure
in which individuals or subjects in psychological experiments
were asked to describe in detail, their own mental processes
or experiences. Limitation- Experiences could not be verified.

2) Functionalism William James Developed a ‘functionalist’ approach to the study of the human
mind. Psychology should instead study what the mind does and
how behavior functions in making people deal with their
environment.

3) Gestalt Kohler, Koffka and It focused on the organization of perceptual experiences. ‘The
Wertheimer whole is greater than the sum of its parts’. E.g. when we see a
movie, we actually have a series of rapidly moving images of
still pictures falling on our retina. According to them
experience is holistic.

4) Behaviorism John Watson He rejected the ideas of mind and consciousness as subject
matters of psychology. He defined psychology as a study of
behavior or responses to stimuli, which can be measured and
studied objectively.

5) Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud Viewed human behavior as occurring due to unconscious

desires and conflicts. Psychoanalysis viewed human beings as

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 3

 motivated by unconscious desire for gratification of pleasure
seeking desires.

6) Humanistic Carl Rogers & Human beings naturally strive to grow and unfold their inner
Abraham Maslow potential. To be the best they can be.

7) Cognitive Tolman Focuses on how we see the world. Cognition is the process of
knowing. View the human mind as an information processing
system like computer. It receives, processes, transforms,
stores and retrieves information.

8) Constructivism Piaget and Vygotsky Developed from cognitive perspective. Believes that humans
are actively constructing their minds through their exploration
into the physical and social world. For Piaget children actively
construct their own minds.

Vygotsky took a view that mind is a joint cultural construction

and emerges as a result of interaction between children and
adults.

-,

9. Trace the development of Psychology in India. (4)

• First psychology lab was established in 1915 at Calcutta University.

• First department of psychology established in 1916 at Calcutta University.

• Department of applied psychology in 1938.

• Main proponents were Dr N. N. Sengupta and Professor G. Bose.

• Indian Psychoanalytical Association established in 1922 by Professor Bose.

• Durganand Sinha traces the history of modern psychology as a social science in India in four phases:
Phases Explanation
First Phase till Emphasis on experimental, psychoanalytic and psychological testing research.
independence
Second Phase till the Indian identity was established by using western ideas to understand the Indian
1960s situation.
Third Phase post Psychologists became more focused on addressing the problems of the Indian
1960s society. Phase of problem-oriented research.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 4

Fourth Phase late This phase is characterized by development in indigenous psychology, which
1970s/ Phase of originated from the Indian cultural context and was relevant for society and Indian
Indigenization psychology based on the Indian traditional knowledge system like ancient texts and
scriptures.

10. Explain in detail the Branches of Psychology. (6)

• Cognitive psychology- studies mental processes involved in acquisition, storage, manipulation, and
transformation of information received from the environment. The major cognitive processes are
attention, perception, memory, reasoning etc.
• Biological psychology- focuses on the relationship between behavior and the physical system,
including the brain and the rest of the nervous system, the immune system, and genetics.

• Neuropsychology- studying the role of neurotransmitters or chemical substances which are

responsible for neural communication in different areas of the brain.

• Developmental psychology- studies the physical, social and psychological changes that occur at
different ages and stages over a life-span, from conception to old age.

• Social psychology- explores how people are affected by their social environments, how people
think about and influence others. Social psychologists are interested in such topics as attitudes,
conformity and obedience to authority, interpersonal attraction, helpful behavior, prejudice,
aggression etc.

• Cross cultural psychology- examines the role of culture in understanding behavior, thought, and
emotion. It assumes that human behavior is not only a reflection of human-biological potential but
also a product of culture.

• Environmental psychology- studies the interaction of physical factors such as temperature,

humidity, pollution, and natural disasters on human behavior. The influence of physical arrangement
of the workplace on health, the emotional state, and interpersonal relations are also investigated.

• Health psychology- focuses on the role of psychological factors (for example, stress, anxiety) in
the development, prevention and treatment of illness.

• Clinical and counseling psychology- clinical psychology deals with causes, treatment and
prevention of different types of psychological disorders. Counseling psychology aims to improve
everyday functioning by helping people solve problems in daily living and cope more effectively with
challenging situations.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 5

 • Industrial/organizational psychology- deals with workplace behaviour, focusing on both the
workers and the organizations that employ them. Industrial/organizational psychologists are
concerned with training employees, improving work conditions, and developing criteria for selecting
employees.

• Educational psychology- studies how people of all ages learn. Educational psychologists primarily
help develop instructional methods and materials used to train people in both educational and work
settings.
• School psychology- focuses on designing programmes that promote intellectual, social, and
emotional development of children, including those with special needs.
• Sports Psychology- applies psychological principles to improve sports performance by enhancing
their motivation.
11. Differentiate between clinical psychologist and psychiatrist. (2)
Aspect Clinical Psychologist Psychiatrist
Degree In psychology (or social science), which includes Medical Degree, with years of specialized
intensive training in treating people with psychological training in the treatment of psychological
disorders. disorders.
Role Deals with causes, treatment and prevention of They can prescribe medications and give
disorders. They cannot prescribe medications or give electroshock treatment.
electroshock treatment.

12. Differentiate between Clinical psychologist and Counselor. (2)

Clinical Psychologist Counselor
a) Clinical psychology deals with causes, treatment and a) Counseling psychology aims to improve everyday
prevention of different types of psychological disorders. functioning by helping people solve problems in daily
living and cope more effectively with challenging
situations.

b) Deals with people who have more serious problems, b) Deals with people who have less serious problems, like
like providing therapy for depression, eating disorders. advising people about personal problems and career planning.

13. What are the problems for which collaboration of psychologists with other disciplines
can be fruitful? OR How psychology and other disciplines intersect in dealing with
variety of issues? (6)
• Philosophy- Psychology greatly draws from philosophy, particularly with respect to methods of
knowing, and various domains of human nature.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 6

• Medicine- A healthy body requires a healthy mind. A large number of hospitals now employ
psychologists to help in preventing people from engaging in health hazardous behaviors and in
adhering to the prescribed doctors’ regimen.
• Economics, Political Science and Sociology- Psychology has contributed to the study of micro-
level economic behaviour, particularly in understanding consumer behavior, savings behavior and in
decision making.

Political science, in understanding issues related to exercise of power and authority, nature of
political conflicts and their resolutions and voting behaviors.

Sociology and psychology come together to explain and understand the behaviour of individuals
within different socio-cultural contexts. Issues related to socialization, group and collective behavior,
and intergroup conflicts gain from both the disciplines.

• Computer science- Computer scientists and engineers are seeking to make computers not only
more and more intelligent but also machines which can sense and feel.

• Law and criminology- A skilled lawyer and a criminologist requires knowledge of psychology in
answering such questions as: How well a witness remembers an accident, a street fight, or a
murder? How well can s/he report such facts when taking the witness stand in the court? What
factors influence the decision which is taken by the jury? Etc.

• Mass communication- They have a major influence on our thinking, attitudes and our emotions.
Psychology also helps in developing strategies for better and effective communication.

• Music and fine arts- Scientists have made use of music in raising work performance. Musicians in
India have recently started experimenting with what they call ‘Music Therapy’. In this they use
different ‘Ragas’ for curing certain physical ailments.

• Architecture and engineering- Any architect, s/he must satisfy her/his clients by providing
mental and physical space through her design and satisfy aesthetically. Engineers must also take into
account human habits in their plans for safety. Psychological knowledge helps in big way in designing
of all mechanical devices and displays.

14. Describe some areas of everyday life where understanding of psychology can be put to
practice. (3)
• Psychology is not only a subject that satisfies some of the curiosities of our mind about human mind
but also that can offer solutions to variety of problems.
• These may range from personal; rooted in family set up; larger group or community; or terrorist
groups.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 7

• Many of these problems result from unhealthy thinking, negative attitude towards people and self
and undesirable patterns of behavior.
• Thus knowledge of psychology is quite useful in our everyday life and is rewarding from personal as
well as social points of view.
15. Define the following terms. (1X3=3)

• Consciousness: Awareness of the general condition of one’s mind, awareness of particular mental
contents, or self-awareness.
• Cognition- All mental processes those are associated with knowing, namely perceiving, thinking,
remembering etc.
• Stimulus- Any well-defined element in the environment affecting the organism, which may lead to
an overt or a covert response.

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY- 8