2. UNDERSTANDING PSYCHOLOGY
The world psychology derives its origin from Greek term - ‘Psyche’ means ‘soul’ or ‘mind’
- ‘logos’ means ‘to know about
The origin of psychology dates back to ancient Greek - 400-500 BC (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle).
• What is psychology?
According to APA (American Psychiatric Association) psychology is the discipline which deals with
the scientific study of human mind and behaviour.
Psychology is a multifaceted discipline and includes many sub-fields of study such as human
development, sports, health, clinical, social behaviour and cognitive processes. It is the mental or
behavioural characteristics of an individual or group.
3. • Behaviour and mind are inseparable and thus the bodily activities and the mental activities are
interdepended. Hence, the organism or individual is a unified whole and psychology studies
individual as a whole.
• To study the psyche of a human one has to study the interaction with environment which stretches
back to the back and extends to the future.
• The human being select, decide and execute the behaviour that seems to be appropriate and
adequate for the interaction and adjustment to the environment.
• Thus, “psychology can be described as the objective science of mental experience and behavioural
patterns in relation to over-all adjustment to the environmental situations”.
4. BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY
(1) Clinical Psychology
- to understand the psychopathology
- intellectual, emotional, psychological, social and behavioral maladjustment.
- assessment and treatment of mental illness and behavioural problem.
(2) Criminal Psychology
- “Criminal Psychology is considered as the study of will, intention, thoughts, feelings
and reactions of criminals and those who engage in criminal behaviour".
- analyse the reason of criminal behaviour
-evaluate the risk of recidivism
- behaviour pro criminal activity
- create criminal profiling (crime profiling)
5. (3) Military Psychology
- psychiatric evaluations, counselling, assessing and treating mental and emotional disorders
focusing on the military personnel and their families.
- access personality traits apt for military role and positions (aptitude test, mental ability)
- measures to combat stress reactions (fear, death, violence)
(4) Para Psychology
- the term coined by J.B Rhine
- study of unusual events associated with human experience.
- focuses on paranormal activities and ‘psychic’ phenomenon.
- the field is broadly divided into telepathy (mind-to-mind communication), clairvoyance,(know
about objects, events, characteristics, or people that are not visible), precognition (knowledge
of an event from the future), psychokinesis ( interaction of mind with matter at a distance),
and survival studies (consciousness surviving the physical form for reincarnation, near death
experiences).
6. (5) Social Psychology
- to understand each person's individual behavior and the influence of social environment in which
that behavior takes place.
- social perception, social interaction, group behavior, non verbal behavior and so on are studied.
- engage in public mental/physical health and encourage in indulging healthy social behavior.
(6) Sports Psychology
- focuses on the mental health and well-being of athletes
- assist sports men to reach their potential in athletic careers.
- address systemic issues associated with sports settings and organizations.
(7) Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- the scientific study of human behavior in workplace by the application of psychological theories
and principles to organizations.
- increase the workplace productivity and related issues such as the physical and mental well-being
of employees.
7. (8) Educational Psychology
- learning and psychological problems involved in training and teaching
- involves cognitive development, aptitude level, creative analysis, motivational factors and
learning measurements.
(9) Developmental Psychology
- studies the human behaviour across life span.
- focuses on the birth, growth, development and adaptation of human life in different stages.
- analyse the effect of nature and nurture in the development of human behaviour.
(10) Child Psychology
- focuses on the mind and behavior and prenatal development of the child.
- the influence of genetics, parental development, cognitive development, social growth,
environmental influence, sexual growth.
8. (11) Abnormal Psychology
- focuses on "abnormal" or "atypical“ behaviour
- deals with abnormality and psychopathology in a clinical context.
(12) Neuro-Psychology
- understand the functioning of intact-brain
- uncover the functions of neuro transmitters
9. GOALS OR OBJECTIVES OF PSYCHOLOGY
• Describe the behaviour
- behaviour is complex and intricate
- objective observation method to collect facts about behaviour
• Understand the behaviour
-Qualitative
- Quantitative
• Predict the behaviour
- knowledge about the possible happening of individual behaviour in the future
- the cause-effect relationship of the behaviour and the events are analyzed
10. • Control the behaviour
- influence the change in behaviour
- plan and develop (mould) behaviour in a desirable direction to maintain normalcy
• Improve the behaviour
- improve behaviour in a positive manner which is accepted in the society
- increase the mental health
- enhance the emotional well being of the individual
