This document defines psychology and discusses its nature and branches. Psychology is defined as the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. It is an empirical science that uses observation and experimentation to study behavior objectively. The main branches of psychology discussed are general, clinical, physiological, social, industrial, experimental, child, adult, educational, parapsychology, developmental, cognitive, and community psychology. Psychology is applied in various fields like education, guidance, medicine, politics, and human relationships. It is related to other social sciences like anthropology and sociology that also study human behavior and culture.

1. AAC602 APPLIED BEHAVIOUR CHANGE
Unit 1 Foundation of Human Behavior
Nature and Dimensions of Behavior and Behavioral
Change
Psychology: Definition, Meaning and Nature
Different Branches of Psychology and their relationship
with Extension
Dr. Arpita Sharma Kandpal
Assistant Professor, Dept of Agril Comm, College
of Ag, GBPUA&T, Pantnagar

2. Defining Psychology
 Greek Words: Psyche and Logos
 Psyche: Soul, Mind, State of change from time to time leading subsequent changes.
 Logos: Rational discourse of a study, Science.
 Psychology is defined as Science of Human Behviour. [Bowers, 1911]
 The Science of Behaviour. [Watson, 1913]
 Psychology is the scientific study of the activities of individual in relation to his
environment. [Woodworth and Marquis, 1948].
 Psychology is scientific investigation of behavior. [Munn, 1967].

3. Behavior
 Any Manifestation of life is activity. [Woodworth, 1948]
 Behaviour: Conative, Cognitive, Affective
 All segments of human behavior: Conscious, subconscious, unconscious, inner
experience and covert behavior.
 Behavior is comprehensive to cover all the life activities and experiences of all the
living organism.

4.  Conscious Behaviour: Those aspects of human personality of which only the person
himself is aware.
 Memories, Imaginations, Pleasures, Pains, Fears, Dreams, Values.
 Unconscious Behaviour: Those activities of an organism which can be observed by
another person.

5. Nature of Psychology
 Observation
 To find the fact
 Empirical [Collect the facts by direct observation].
 Verifiability: Add Reliability and Accuracy.
 Systematized body of knowledge, obtained by careful observation, measuring event and proven facts.
 Psychology is a science and properly trained psychologists are scientist who uses scientific methods
and information resulting from scientific investigation.
 Cause and effect relationship.
 Search for truth.
 Method of systematic inquiry and scientific approach.
 Categories: Normative and Positive
 Normative: Ought to be. Ethics, Logics, Philosophy.
 Positive: What is?, Psychology
 Is a positive science which enables us to study the behavior of a living organism in relation to his
environment.

6. Branches of Psychology
 General Psychology: Deals with fundamental rules, principles and theories of the
subject in relation to the study of behaviour of normal adult human being.
 Clinical Psychology: Abnormality and maladaptation of behaviour.
 Physiological Psychology: Internal environment and psychological structure of
the body, brain, nervous system and functioning of the glands in relation to the
conative, cognitive and affective behaviour of the human being.
 Social Psychology: Study of human behaviour in relation to his social
environment.
 Industrial Psychology: Study of human behaviour in relation to the situations and
environment prevalent in the industrial World.

7.  Experimental Psychology: Ways and Means of carrying out psychological
experiments following scientific methods in controlled or laboratory situations.
 Child Psychology: Study of behaviour and process of growth and development of
Children from birth to the beginning of the period of adolescence.
 Adult Psychology: Study of human behaviour of adults. Growth and Development
of their personality, interest, aptitudes, attitude.
 Educational Psychology: Study the behaviour of learner with respect to educational
environment.

8.  Para Psychology: Telepathy, Extra Sensory Perceptions, Rebirth.
 Development Psychology: Growth and Development of human being at all stages
of life. Conception till death.
 Cognitive Psychology: Process and products of growth and development of
cognitive abilities and capabilities of human being.
 Experimental Psychology: Means of carrying out Psychological experiments in
controlled or laboratory situation.
 Geo Psychology: Describe and analyses the relationship between physical
environment, particularly weather, climate, soil with behavior.
 Community Psychology: Thinking, Feeling and doing. Knowing the individual and
group behavior of the members of this community.

9.  Psychometrics: Construction and use of different test and techniques meant for the
measurement of various types of human abilities, capacities, process and products
of human behavior.

10. Applications of Psychology
 Education
 Guidance and Counselling
 Medicine
 Politics
 Development of self
 Human Relationship and World Peace

11. Psychology and other sciences
 Closer to Anthropology and Sociology
 Anthropology: Physical evolution of mankind, Role of cultural factors in shaping
human behvaiour.
 Sociology: Development and functioning of groups: social, political, economic,
religion etc.
 Understanding group behavior, social factors that influence indivudal behavior.

12.  Psychiatrist: Degree in Medicine, Medical training in the diagnosis and treatment of
mental disorder by medical.
 Psychoanalyst: Trained in medicine, specialized in the theory and treatment of
abnormal behavior known as psychoanalysis.