a brief introduction to psychology , its methods , scope and nature.

1. Sumiran Khatri
MA I year
Department of Psychology

2.  The word Psychology derives from Greek
roots “Psyche” & “logos” meaning “soul” &
“study” which literally means study of the
psyche , as soul of or research.
 In general, Psychology is the scientific study
of behavior interpreted in terms of
experience.
 It is the study of mind and mental processes
,especially in relation to behavior

3.  William James (1890)
“ Psychology is the science of mental
life, both by its phenomenon and its
condition”
 William McDougall
“Psychology is a science which aims
to give us a better understanding and control
of behavior of the organism as a whole”
 J.B Watson
Psychology is the “science of behavior”

4.  Structuralism
William Wundt , Titchner
 Functionalism
William James , Dewey
 Gestalt Psychology
Koffka, Kohler, Wertheimer
 Psychodynamic
Sigmund Freud
 Behaviouralism
Watson , Skinner Pavlov

5.  Psychology covers a lot of ground and it has
many branches (subfields) such as:
Theoretical Branch
1. General Psychology
2. Abnormal Psychology
3. Social Psychology
4. Developmental
Psychology
5. Physiological
psychology
6. Experimental
Psychology
Applied Branch
1. Educational
psychology
2. Clinical psychology
3. Industrial Psychology
4. Counseling
Psychology
5. Criminal Psychology
6. Engineering
Psychology

6.  There are other new emerging fields such as:
1. Environmental Psychology
2. Health Psychology
3. Correctional Psychology
4. Aerospace Psychology
5. Forensic Psychology
6. Sports Psychology
7. Economic psychology
8. Traffic and Transport Psychology
9. And more…

7. 1. Description :observing and noting down of
behavior .
2. Explanation: looking for explanation for
behavior. Helps in forming theory.
3. Prediction : Determining outcome .
4. Control: modification of behavior .

8. o Is it Science ?
 Use of scientific
method to collect
data.
 Systematic analysis
 Formulation of
principles or
theories
 Applying principles
to solve everyday
problems.
o Is it art ?
 Not clearly defined.
 Problems with
reproducibility
 Experimental
conditions not
highly controlled.

9. 1. Observation : to observe behavior in
natural setting .
 Participant observation is a naturalistic
observation where observer becomes a
participant in the group.
 Observer effect : tendency of people to
behave differently when being observed.
 Observer bias: tendency of observers to see
what they expect to see.

10. 2. Experimentation:
it is a scientific procedure usually done in
laboratory to determine behavior.
Advantage :
- Variable can be manipulated or controlled.
- Helps in research and theory formation.
Disadvantage :
- Reproducibility problems
- Bias of researcher may intrude.

11. 3. Case Study :
Study of individual in great detail.
Adv: greater quantity of information
Dis adv: individual differences and
unpredictability.
4. Surveys :
List of questions asked with the purpose of
research .it is conducted on a sample of
people from the population .
Adv: large amount of data
Dis adv : time taking

12. 5.Statistical Method :
With the help of many statistical
formulas psychological research is
conducted.
Such as:
MEAN,MEDIAN,MODE
ANOVA
STANDARD DEVIATION
CHI SQUARE
CORELATION
REGRESSION e.t.c

13. 6.FIELD STUDY
Field studies are non experimental scientific
inquires aimed at discovering the relation
and interaction among sociological,
psychological and educational variables in
real socio structure.
7.CROSS SECTIONAL
In cross sectional method, the researcher
observes the subjects at different ages or at
different point in temporal situation.

14. 8.LONGITUDIONAL METHOD
The longitudinal method involves a research
approach in which the scientist studies some
individual at different points in their lives,
noting the changes that occur in their
behavior and characteristics overtime.
9.CROSS CULTURAL METHOD
Cross cultural method is a myth in which
investigator makes a comparison of groups,
organizations or institution of two or more
than two cultures with respect to one or
more than one variables.

15. 10.INTROSPECTION METHOD
Introspection is the examination of one's own
conscious thoughts and feelings. In
psychology the process of introspection relies
exclusively on observation of one's mental
state.
 Nowadays there are various new technologies
which has made the work of researchers
easier such as Brain Imaging Techniques like
 CT Scan , MRI
 FMRI , PET Scans
 EEG and more…

16. Thank You