Psychology Ncert Book 1 Chapter Notes
Chapter
1
Psy What is Psychology?
After reading this chapter, you would be able to
• • • •
understand the nature and role of psychology in understanding mind and behaviour, state the growth of the discipline, know the different fields of psychology, its relationship with other disciplines, and professions, and appreciate the value of psychology in daily life to help you understand yourself and others better.
Contents
Introduction What is Psychology? Psychology as a Discipline Psychology as a Natural Science Psychology as a Social Science Understanding Mind and Behaviour Popular Notions about the Discipline of Psychology Evolution of Psychology Some Interesting Landmarks in the Evolution of Modern Psychology (Box 1.1) Development of Psychology in India Branches of Psychology Themes of Research and Applications Psychology and Other Disciplines Psychologists at Work Psychology in Everyday Life Key Terms Summary Review Questions Project Ideas
The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways the highest adventure on earth. – Norman Cousins
Introduction
You were, perhaps, asked by your teacher in the first class why you opted for psychology over other subjects. What do you hope to learn? If you were asked this question, what was your response? Generally, the range of responses which surface in class to this question are truly bewildering. Most students give inane responses, like they want to know what others are thinking. But then one also comes across such responses as knowing oneself, knowing others or more specific responses like knowing why people dream, why people go out of their way to help others or beat each other up. All ancient traditions have engaged themselves with questions about human nature. The Indian philosophical traditions, in particular, deal with questions relating to why people behave in the manner in which they do. Why are people generally unhappy? What changes should they bring about in themselves if they desire
1
Psy What is Psychology?
After reading this chapter, you would be able to
• • • •
understand the nature and role of psychology in understanding mind and behaviour, state the growth of the discipline, know the different fields of psychology, its relationship with other disciplines, and professions, and appreciate the value of psychology in daily life to help you understand yourself and others better.
Contents
Introduction What is Psychology? Psychology as a Discipline Psychology as a Natural Science Psychology as a Social Science Understanding Mind and Behaviour Popular Notions about the Discipline of Psychology Evolution of Psychology Some Interesting Landmarks in the Evolution of Modern Psychology (Box 1.1) Development of Psychology in India Branches of Psychology Themes of Research and Applications Psychology and Other Disciplines Psychologists at Work Psychology in Everyday Life Key Terms Summary Review Questions Project Ideas
The growth of the human mind is still high adventure, in many ways the highest adventure on earth. – Norman Cousins
Introduction
You were, perhaps, asked by your teacher in the first class why you opted for psychology over other subjects. What do you hope to learn? If you were asked this question, what was your response? Generally, the range of responses which surface in class to this question are truly bewildering. Most students give inane responses, like they want to know what others are thinking. But then one also comes across such responses as knowing oneself, knowing others or more specific responses like knowing why people dream, why people go out of their way to help others or beat each other up. All ancient traditions have engaged themselves with questions about human nature. The Indian philosophical traditions, in particular, deal with questions relating to why people behave in the manner in which they do. Why are people generally unhappy? What changes should they bring about in themselves if they desire