What is Psychology?
Before we dive in, I want to ask you something. Have you ever wondered why you react differently to things than your friends do? Or why you sometimes forget something you were just thinking about?
Why do we feel nervous before a test, even when we’re prepared?“
“These kinds of questions are at the heart of psychology, the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology helps us understand why we think, feel, and act the way we do. And the coolest part? It’s all around us. From how we interact with our friends, to how we learn, to why we feel stressed out sometimes—psychology is a part of our everyday lives.”
“For example, think about social media. Have you noticed how scrolling through Instagram or TikTok makes you feel a certain way—maybe excited, maybe anxious? Psychologists study how things like that affect our emotions and behavior. Why do we compare ourselves to others online? What does that do to our self-esteem?
Definition of Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior. It explores various aspects of human experience, including thoughts, emotions, actions, and social interactions. Different psychologists have defined psychology in unique ways, emphasizing various facets of the discipline. Here are a few notable definitions
Sigmund Freud
“Freud defined psychology as the “science of the mind,” emphasizing the unconscious processes that influence behavior.”
Wilhelm Wundt
Often considered the father of modern psychology, Wundt defined psychology as the “science of experience.” He focused on introspection and the study of consciousness.
Carl Rogers
Rogers described psychology as a means to understand the self and personal growth, emphasizing the importance of subjective experience and human potential.
What are the disciplines of psychology?
- Cognitive Psychology: How we think and learn.
- Developmental Psychology: How we grow and change over our lifespan.
- Social Psychology: How we interact with others.
- Clinical Psychology: Understanding mental health and disorders.
Now, before we get into some of the theories and research that psychologists have developed, let’s try something fun. I’m going to show you an optical illusion. Tell me what you see….
Some of you may see a vase, while others might see two faces. This is an example of how our brain interprets visual information in different ways, which is one of the many things psychologists study. This shows that perception isn’t just about what we see—it’s also about how our mind makes sense of what we see.
Throughout these articles, we’re going to explore fascinating topics like how we learn, how our memories work, what motivates us, and even how psychological disorders affect people’s lives. We’ll study some of the great thinkers like Sigmund Freud, who introduced ideas about the unconscious mind, and B.F. Skinner, who showed us how we learn through rewards and punishments.
But psychology is more than just theories. It’s also a science, therefore we’ll see how psychologists do study to answer issues about behaviour and the mind. We’ll even do some tests ourselves, such as assessing our ability to remember things and perceive time.
I encourage you all to remain curious, ask questions, and think critically about the world around you. Psychology is about discovering what makes us human, and I’m delighted to embark on this journey alongside you.
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