What is Psychology?

-It is defined as the scientific study of behavior. Psychologist study both man and animals behavior but
with primary focus on human behavior. Behavior refers to all the actions and responses of an individual
that can be directly or indirectly observed.
 Overt behavior – a behavior that is directly observable, such as a girl singing or a man driving a
car.
 Covert behavior – a behavior that cannot be directly observed like what somebody is thinking or
feeling, stomach movement, glandular secretions etc.
-Psychology as a science means that psychologists adopt an objective attitude and use organized and
systematic procedures in studying psychological processes. They base their analysis of behavior on facts
and not on mere opinions or superstitions. The general steps of the scientific methods are
1)identification of the problem; 2)formulation of hypothesis; 3) collection of data; 4)analysis and
interpretation of data; and 5) conclusion or generalization.

Goals of Psychology
As a field of study, psychology seeks to
1. Describe what a behavior entails and the situations in which it occurs.
2. Explain why a behavior occurs.
3. Predict behavior based on past observations.
4. To change the behavior so that it would be more appropriate.

Importance of Psychology
It is important to all students enrolled in any course for the following reasons:
1. Helps the student understand himself and other people. It is acknowledged that self-
understanding enhances understanding of other people hence, paving the way towards better
interpersonal relationships.
2. Helps the student determine and understand the factors that influence his growth and
development as a person.
3. Helps the student cope and adjust to his difficulties by developing an objective and scientific
approach in understanding and solving his problems.

Brief History of Psychology

Psychology as a science has its roots in the establishment of the first psychological laboratory in 1879 by
Wilhelm Wundt in Leipzig, Germany. Wundt conducted experiments on human reactions when exposed
to varied stimulus or conditions from the environment. This event marked the beginning of psychology
as a scientific discipline. For his contributions, Wilhelm Wundt is regarded as the father of modern
psychology. The works of Wundt provided a springboard in the establishment of different school of
thoughts during the 19th and early 20th century.
1. Structuralism. Edward Bradford Titchener, a student of Wundt, popularized structuralism as a
school of thought. Proponents of structuralism postulated that the mind can be studied by
means of analyzing its three components or structures which are sensations, feelings, and
images. These components can be studied by the process of introspection which involves
analyzing one’s own feelings and reactions.
 2. Functionalism. This school of thought emerged as a reaction to structuralism. William James, its
main proponent asserted that it is not the components of mind that are important but how it
functions to help man adapt to his environment. To study how the mind that are important but
how it functions to help man adapt to his environment. To study how the mind works, it is
important to use not only the method of introspection but also the observation of behavior-
what a person does and how he responds to conditions from the environment.

3. Behaviorism. In the early years of the 20 th century, John Watson, introduced a new force in
psychology known as behaviorism. Behaviorism stressed on the study of observable behavior
rather than hidden mental processes. Watson believed that psychological data must be open to
public inspection like the data of any other science ( The and Macapagal, 1999).

4. Gestalt Psychology. At about the same time that Watson established behaviorism in America,
Max Wertheimer started Gestalt psychology as a school of thought in Germany. Gestalt
psychology focused on understanding the nature of human perception and learning. According
to the Gestalt psychologists, “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” In other words, we
perceive objects in terms of well-organized whole structures rather than in separated, isolated
parts.
Current Perspectives in Psychology
The early schools of psychology have brought about an influx of other approaches or perspectives in the
study of behavior. Each approach has its own viewpoint as to the nature of behavior and how it should
be studied and understood.
1. Behavioral Perspective. This is based on the basic tenets of behaviorism. It demands a precise
definition of psychological concepts and objective measurement of observable responses or
behavior. This view explains behavior in terms of its environmental determinants that is,
behavior is dependent on how we respond to stimulations from the environment. It is the
environment that determines who we are and what we will become.
2. Psychoanalytic Perspective. This perspective holds that behavior is influenced by unconscious
forces. Sigmund Freud, its main proponent, claimed that the unconscious contains thoughts,
memories, and desires that are below the surface of conscious awareness but nonetheless
exert influence on behavior. Furthermore, childhood experience are believed to have a very
strong influence on the development of adult personality (Weiten 1992).
3. Cognitive Perspective. This approach focuses on unobservable mental processes involved in
learning, perceiving and thinking. Cognitive psychologists seek to explain how we process
information and how our ways of thinking about the world influence our behavior. They believe
that behavior can be explained in terms of the complicated processes of thinking and
perception rather than mere observation or analyzing inner conflicts.
A modern version of cognitive psychology is the Information Processing Perspective. This
approach studies how we attend to information, how we perceive it, how we store it, how we
think about it, and how we retrieve it for further use. Computers were a prominent influence in
the development of this perspective (Siegler, 1983, Santrock, 1988).
4. Humanistic Perspective. The main proponents of this perspective are Carl Rogers and Abraham
Maslow. The humanistic viewpoint gives emphasis on the positive aspects of man: that man is
capable of caring for other people; has enormous potential for growth, and can establish
meaningful and productive life. Man is also claimed to be the master of his own fate as he is
given the free will or the freedom to make choices in his life. Man has the ability to make his
own decisions without being controlled by external factors like the environment and
unconscious processes.
5. Neurobiological Perspective. This approach focuses on the functioning on the human body as
determinant of behavior. The organization of the nerve cells, the brain, genetic make-up of the
person, and the activities of the hormones are only some of the important aspects about the
body that could be of help in understanding behavior.
6. Socio-cultural perspective. This emphasizes the role of social forces in determining behavior.
Behavior is shaped not only by forces within the person but by the historical, cultural, and
situational forces that surround the person. To understand behavior, the social context in which
it occurs must be examined (Sugar, et. al, 1990).
The different approaches should not confuse the student in his desire to understand behavior
better. No single approach is exactly correct or wrong as all of them provide sensible explanation on
the nature of human behavior. It is up to the student to draw out what he thinks is best applicable
for him to understand behavior. An eclectic approach can also be resorted to, that is, one considers
all viewpoints as important in order to have a better understanding of human behavior.

Fields of Psychology
Psychology is a very broad field with many branches. The following are the more commonly
mentioned fields including some of the emerging ones.
1. Experimental Psychology studies the fundamental causes of behavior. The experimental
psychologist conducts studies focusing on psychological processes such as perception, learning,
memory, thinking, language, motivation, and emotion.
2. Physiological Psychology studies how the different parts and functions of the human body affect
behavior. The physiological psychologist examines how genetic factors, the brain, and other
biological processes affect behavior.
3. Developmental psychology studies how behavior develops from the moment of conception to
old age. The center of study deals on cognitive, motor, emotional and moral development.
4. Social Psychology studies how group interaction influences individual behavior. Social
psychologists study attitude formation, interpersonal attraction, leadership and conformity, and
altruistic behavior.
5. Educational psychology deals with the application of psychological principles in the teaching-
learning process. Educational psychologists are especially concerned with increasing the
efficiency of learning in school through the application of psychological knowledge about
learning and motivation.
6. Personality Psychology deals with the unique qualities of an individual. It studies individual
differences and the enduring traits of people.
7. Abnormal Psychology studies mental and behavioral disorders. This is otherwise known as
psychopathology.
8. Psychometric Psychology deals with the construction and development of tests and other
devices for measuring human abilities and personality traits. An expert in this field is called
psychometrician whereas the one responsible in giving and scoring tests is called a
psychometrist.
9. Clinical Psychology deals with the diagnosis, care, and treatment of people with mental and
behavioral disorders. Drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental subnormalities are some of the
concerns of the clinical psychologist.
10. Counseling Psychology is concerned with the assessment and treatment of less severe
behavioral or personal problems. Some counseling psychologists provide marriage or career
counseling, others work as guidance counselors in educational institutions.
11. School Psychology is concerned with enhancing the effectiveness of educational institutions.
School psychologists may also conduct testing and guidance services that may be useful in the
diagnosis and disposition of behavior difficulties of school children.
12. Industrial- Organization Psychology focuses on human behavior in business and industry.
Industrial psychologists hire and train employees and conduct researchers and plan programs
for improving work productivity, moral, job satisfaction, and consumer attitude.
13. Engineering Psychology is concerned with the development of man-machine systems, that is,
fitting man and machine together so both can function effectively. Engineering psychologists
help design space capsules and artificial limbs.
14. Forensic Psychology focuses on the application of psychological principles in the legal and
probation systems. Forensic psychologists help in the determination of guilt of the accused and
reliability of testimony in the courtroom. They also help in crime detection and rehabilitation of
inmates.
15. Health Psychology explores the relationship between psychological factors and physical ailments
or diseases. Health psychologists study how prolonged stress can affect physical health.
16. Cross-cultural Psychology investigates the similarities and differences in psychological
functioning in various cultures and ethnic groups.
17. Environmental Psychology studies the relationship between people and their physical
environment. It is concerned with how environmental problems like pollution and overcrowding
influence behavior.
18. Sports Psychology is an emerging field that investigates the application of psychology to
athlethic activity and exercise. It deals with the motivation, social aspects of sports, and impact
of training on muscle development.