Psychology for business students

1. BBA IV
Pokhara Lincon College
Parmeshwor Baral
pbaral2000@gmail.com
Meaning and Definition of
PSYCHOLOGY

2. Course Details
Name: Psychology – BBA 3763
Name of the Book: Psychology: Thames and
Variations (First Canadian Edition) by Weiten, W
and McCann, D (2007). Toronto. Thomson Nelson
[BASIC BOOK]
REFERENCES
1. Arobson, E, Wilson, T.D and Akert, R.M
(2010). Social Psychology (7th Edition).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
2. Baron, R.A., Branscombe, N. R., and Byrne,
D. (2009). Social Pyschology: Pearson
Education
3. Morgan, C.T., King, R. A., Weisz, J.R and
th

3. Meaning and Definition
The word Psychology is derived from Greek word
in which Psyche means soul and logos means
rational course of study. When these two
words are combined together; it gives the
meaning of a rational course of study of mind.
 1. The first definition of the Psychology was
the study of the soul:
The earliest attempts at defining Psychology owe
their origin to the most mysterious and
philosophical concept, namely that of soul. What
is soul? How can it be studied? The inability to
find clear answers to such questions led some
ancient Greek philosophers to define psychology
as the study of the mind.

4. 2. In terms of the study of the mind:
Although the word mind was less mysterious and
vague than soul, yet it also faced the same
questions, namely what is mind? How can it be
studied, etc. This definition was also rejected.
3. In terms of the study of consciousness:
The description and explanation of the states of
consciousness is the task of Psychology which is
usually done by the instrument introspection—
process of looking within.
This definition was also rejected on the grounds
that:
(i) It could not include the study of the consciousness
of animals.
(ii) It would not include subconscious and unconscious

5. 4. In terms of the study of behaviour:
The most modern and widely accepted definition of
psychology even today, is the study of behaviour, both
humans and animals.
5. William McDougall:
In his book An Outline of Psychology, “Psychology is a
science which aims to give us better understanding
and control of the behaviour of the organism as a
whole”.
6. JB Watson:
Psychology is “the science of behaviour” (taking into
account the human as well as animal behaviour).
7. NL Munn:
“Psychology is the science and the properly trained
psychologist is a scientist, or at least a practitioner who

6.  Different authors define Psychology in different ways
but in 1990, Feldman defines Psychology as the
scientific study of human behavior and mental
processes. Scientific because it uses the steps in
a scientific method in its quest to understand why a
person behaves in a certain manner. It is systematic
and empirical and it is dependent upon
measurements. A scientific method generally follows
the these steps:
1.) Identification of the Problem
2.) Formulation of Hypothesis
3.) Gathering of Data
4.) Interpretation and Analysis of Data
5: Generalization of Conclusion
Therefore, Psychology has been termed as the

7. Science is the body of systematized knowledge
that is gathered by carefully observing and
measuring events. The observation of events are
systematized in various ways but mainly
classifying them into categories and establishing
general laws and principles to describe and
predict events as accurately as possible.
Psychology has these characteristics; it clearly
belongs within the province of science.
Thus it is not simply enough to describe behaviour.
Like any other science, psychology attempts to
explain, predict, modify and ultimately improve
the lives of people in the world in which they live.

8. By using scientific methods psychologists are able to
find answers to questions about the nature of
human behaviour that are far more valid and
legitimate than those resulting from mere intention
and speculation. The experiments and observations
which are made can be repeated and verified by
others because of its objectivity, reliability, validity
and predictability which are the characteristics of
basic science.

9.  Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and
mental processes. Behaviour includes all of our
outward or overt actions and reactions, such as
verbal and facial expressions and movements.
 Mental processes refer to all the internal and covert
activity of our mind such as thinking, feeling and
remembering. It is a scientific study because to study
behaviour and mental processes, the psychologists
use the scientific methods for understanding more
precisely and accurately.
 The word Psychology has its origin from two Greek
words ‘Psyche’ and ‘Logos’, ‘psyche’ means ‘soul’
and ‘logos’ means ‘study’. Thus literally, Psychology
means ‘the study of soul’ or ‘science of soul’.

10. What is behaviour?
 Behaviorism A scientific approach that limits the study
of psychology to measurable or observable behavior.
Behaviorist perspective The psychological perspective
primarily concerned with observable behavior that can
be objectively recorded and with the relationships of
observable behavior to environmental stimuli.
 In General Behavior is the actions by which an
organism adjusts to its environment.
 Any manifestation of life activity which includes all
the motor or connotative activities like walking,
swimming, dancing etc. affective activities like
feeling happy, sad, angry, etc. Is behaviour.
Therefore, it can be said that first psychology lost its
soul, then its mind, then its consciousness. It still has
behaviour of a sort (Woodwoth, 1948)

11. Types of Behaviour
1. Motor Behaviour includes those behaviours in
which we use our body to function where there
is no role of mind and feelings (including all
activities related to physical activities). It is also
called as conative behaviour
2. Cognitive Behaviour includes those
behaviours in which we use our mind to do
different activities. Thinking and the like are the
examples
3. Affective Behaviour includes those behaviours
in which we use the sensation of feelings to
have behavioural experience. Crying, laughing,
etc. are the examples of such behaviour.

12. Nature of Psychology
 Possesses a body of facts which can be supported
through universal laws and principles.
 Emphasizes the search for truth.
 Does not believe in hearsay, stereotypes or
superstitions,
 Believes in cause and effect relationship.
 Adopts the method of objective investigation,
systematic and controlled observation and a
scientific approach.
 Stands for the generalization, verifiability and
modification of the observed results or deduced
phenomena.
 Helps in predicting future developments.
 Is able to turn its theory into practice by having an

13. What kind of science is
Psychology
 Science can be of two types: Positive and
Normative
 Positive science: Physical and life sciences are
termed as positive science. It studies the facts as
they are and has little or no concern with what ought
to be. Psychology in this sense falls in the category
of positive science.
 Normative science: It is a type of information that is
developed, presented, or interpreted based on an
assumed, usually unstated, preference for a
particular policy or class of policies. Subjects like
logic, philosophy and ethics and included in the
category of normative science.

14. What kind of positive science is
Psychology?
 It is a behavioral science which deals with the
behaviour of an organism.
 The behaviour is quite dynamic and unpredictable.
 Methods of its study are also no as absolute and
objective as those adopted by the natural sciences.
 The studies in natural sciences are bound to be more
exact, accurate and objective than the studies of
behaviour in psychology.
 Therefore, we can state that psychology is a
developing positive science of behaviour.

15. Scope of Psychology
 The limits of its operation and applications
 The branches, topics and the subject matter it deals
with.
1. The limits of its operation and application
Psychology studies, describes and explains the
bahaviour of living organisms.
Behaviour- all life activities and experiences: conative,
cognitive, affective, implicit, explicit, conscious,
subconscious or unconscious
Living organism – all living creatures inhabiting the
earth irrespective of species, caste, colour, sex,
age, mental or physical state.

16. 2. Braches and fields of Psychology
Branches: Pure and Applied Psychology
a. Pure Psychology: provides the framework and
theory of the subject. Its concern is to
formulation of Psychological principles and
theories and it also suggests various methods
and techniques for the analysis, assessment,
modification and improvement of behaviour.
b. Applied Psychology: Solving the practical
problems followings the theories and principles
of pure Psychology. It discusses the application
of psychological rules, principles and
techniques with reference to real-life situations.
The influence of Psychology can be found in almost
all disciplines

17. Professional specialties in
Psychology
 Colleges and universities – 28 %
 Hospitals and clinics – 19.4 %
 Private practice – 33.6 %
 Business and government – 6.3%
 elementary and secondary schools – 4.2 %
 Other – 8.5 %

18. Branches of Pure Psychology
 General Psychology : deals with fundamental rules,
principle and theories of Psychology in relation to the
study of bahaviour of normal adult human beings.
 Abnormal Psychology : describes and explains the
behaviour of abnormal people in relation to their
environment. The causes, symptoms and syndromes,
description and treatment of the abnormalities of
behaviour.
 Social Psychology: deals with group behaviour and
inter-relationships of people among themselves. Group
dynamics, likes and dislikes, interest and attitude, social
distance and prejudices of the people in their personal
and social relationship
 Experimental Psychology: describes and explains the
ways and means of carrying out psychological
experiments along scientific lines under controlled or
laboratory situations for the study of mental processes

19.  Psychological Psychology : describes and
explains the biological and physiological basis of
behaviour. The internal environment and
physiological structure of the body, particularly the
brain, nervous system and functioning of the glands
in relation to conative, cognitive and affective
behaviour of human beings.
 Parapsychology : deals with extra-sensory
perception, pre-recognition, cases of claimed
rebirth, telepathy (mind-to mind communication) and
allied (connected) phenomena.
 Geo-psychology: describes and explains the
relation of physical environment, particularly
weather, climate, soil and landscape with behaviour.
 Developmental Psychology : explains the
processes and products of growth and development
in relation to the behaviour of an individual from birth
to old age. Its Sub-branches are: Child, adolescence

20. Branches of applied Psychology
 Educational Psychology: seeks to apply the
psychological principles, theories and techniques to
human behaviour in educational settings. The subject
matters are ways and means of improving all aspects
of the teaching-learning process including the learner,
learning process, materials environment and the
teacher.
 Clinical Psychology: describes and explains the
causes of mental illness of a patient attending a clinic
or hospital and suggests individual or group therapy for
the treatment and effective adjustment of the affected
person in society.
 Industrial Psychology: seeks application of the
psychological principles, theories and techniques for
the study of human bahaviour in relation to the

21.  Legal Psychology: studies the behaviour of
clients, criminals, witnesses, etc. in their
respective surroundings with the application of
psychological principles and techniques. Subject
matter are ways and means of detection of
crimes, identification and apprehension of false
witnesses and other complex issues.
 Military Psychology : concerned with the use of
psychological principles and techniques in the
field of military activities. How to maintain the
morale of the soldiers and citizens during
wartime, how o fight the enemy’s propaganda and
intelligence activities, how to secure recruitment
for the armed forces and how to improve the
fighting capabilities and organizational climate
and leadership in the armed forces.