"Psychology is the science of human behavior" - W. B. Kolesnik
I was staring at the ceiling one day, wondering why I always overthink things before going to the bed. Why do I replay conversations in my head? Why do I feel anxious in crowds? And that’s when I asked: what is really going on inside my mind? 🤔
- What is Psychology?
- History of Psychology
- Disciplines of Psychology
- Why do we learn Psychology?
- Approaches to psychology
- Branches of Psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior in both humans and animals [1]. Now, it is considered a part of social science rather than an exact science because it cannot derive exact or universal solutions, but it can give general solutions based on observations.
Something you need to know:
- Exact science (natural science): universal laws which can be tested under controlled conditions. For example, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry
- Social science (abstract science or behavioral science): general laws which cannot be tested in laboratories. For example, Psychology, Sociology, Economics
Psychology explores the complexities of human thoughts, emotions, and actions. As human behavior tends to change from person to person, the psychology of each human being changes from person to person.
History of Psychology
- Wilhelm Wundt founded the first experimental psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany [2]. Hence, he is called the "Father of Psychology". His work is inspired by the rigorous methods of experiments which led to the emergence of structuralism (breaking down mental processes into the basic components).
- William James is the first educator in the psychology field, and he contributed to it by founding the school of functionalism. Hence, is known as the "Father of American Psychology". His theories were influenced by two schools of thought: pragmatism (the truth of an idea can never be proven) and functionalism (understanding the purpose and function of human thoughts and subsequent behaviors).
- Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician proposed the theory of Psychoanalysis (influence of the unconscious mind on behavior) in the early 1890s. Hence, he is known as 'the Father of Psychoanalysis'.
Disciplines of Psychology
Structuralism is a theory of consciousness that seeks to understand the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into their most basic components. It aims to discover sensations, images and feelings. But is knowing each part enough to understand the whole person?Pragmatism is more like a workshop than a lab. Here, people are actually testing ideas and solving real problems. Pragmatism influenced functionalism, an early school of thought in psychology. It believes that truth is not absolute — it depends on its practical impact and ideas must be tested by their outcomes — not just discussed.
Functionalism focuses on the purpose and functions of mental processes and not just structure. It helps to answer ‘how do mental processes help us adapt and survive?’ This laid the foundation of applied psychology, behaviorism and educational psychology.
Psychoanalysis says our personalities are shaped by mental processes we are not aware of. They focused on the importance of early experiences in shaping unconsciousness and how that process affects our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and personalities.
These contributions were the groundwork for major psychological theories and practices.
Why do we learn Psychology?
- We humans are peculiarly curious about ourselves and the processes going on in our minds.
- To understand the motivations and underlying factors that cause humans to behave in a particular manner.
- To understand the risk factors and early signs of mental health issues.
- Learning different methods to manage and overcome complex psychological disorders, if possible.
- Increasing self-awareness for better communication and enhancing our ability to express ourselves clearly, listen effectively, and reduce misunderstandings and conflicts.
- To reduce superstitious beliefs and promote understanding of mental health issues by encouraging individuals to seek help when needed.
Approaches to psychology: The six different lenses psychologists use to see you 👓
Biological approach: a perspective which considers thoughts, feelings, and evolution as a cause of human behavior because humans are viewed as biological beings. This behavior can be linked to our brain (neurotransmitters and genetics). It studies from a biological and physical point of view such as the brain, immune system and nervous system. On the genetic basis, we inherit our physical characteristics from our biological parents like eye color, shape of our nose, height etc. The same idea applies to psychological characteristics like intelligence, personality and mental illness. For example, depression is caused due to low levels of serotonin.Cognitive approach: a perspective which emphasizes the study of mental processes such as thinking, perception, attention, problem solving and memory. It focuses on how we think, learn, remember and solve problems. For example, depression is caused due to a person's negative thinking pattern.
The big problem with inferences is that they are guesses and guesses can be mistaken. This is the reason cognitive psychology, despite their highly controlled lab conditions, are not as scientific as behaviorists or biological psychologists.
Behavioral approach: a perspective which states all behaviors are learned through conditioned interaction with the environment. It does not focus on thoughts, it focuses on learning, observing and interaction with the environment to understand human behavior. For example, depression is a cause of learned helplessness i.e. learned from repeated failures or punishments.
Psychodynamic approach: a perspective which emphasizes unconscious processes and unresolved past conflicts as influences on behavior. “Not everything is visible. Much of your behavior is controlled by your unconscious mind.” It studies unconscious desires and early childhood experiences that shape our behavior (Sigmund Freud). For example, depression could be suppressed grief or an unresolved inner conflict.
Humanistic approach: a perspective which emphasizes unique experiences and potential for personal growth of the individual. It focuses on free will, self-growth and the importance of a supportive environment for psychological well-being.
Evolutionary approach: a perspective which claims every trait, from jealousy to problem-solving, is seen as an evolutionary tool passed down because it helped someone survive.
Why do you fear snakes more than cars? Because your ancestors did. Your brain evolved for a different world.
Branches of Psychology
Abnormal Psychology: This branch studies mental disorders, how they interfere with life, and how to differentiate temporary struggles from diagnosable conditions.Clinical Psychology: one of the most popular areas concerned with assessing and treating complex mental and behavioral problems.
Cognitive Psychology: study of internal processes like perception, decision making, problem solving, memory reasoning that influence the behavior. It emphasizes how people think and learn. But, it relies on laboratory experiments under controlled environments which may not accurately reflect real world situations.
Counseling Psychology: uses a broad range of practices to understand and help people improve their well-being and function better in their lives. People are talking about career stress, relationships, grief, identity.
Cross-cultural Psychology: a study which understands the influence of culture on human behavior. It shows how people from different cultures perform similar or different psychological processes.
Experimental Psychology: use of scientific methods to know about the human mind and behavior such as perception, cognition, and learning. By observing outcomes, this area helps to establish cause-and-effect relationships in human behavior. [3]
Personality Psychology: unique patterns of thinking, reacting and feelings which distinguishes one person from another. It helps us learn how personality (attitude, opinions) develops due to genetics and environment both.
Social Psychology: explores how people get influenced and change behavior or influence other people in groups, relationships and peer pressure.
Behavioral Psychology: focuses on learning and observable behavior which are learned through interaction with the environment. It also teaches how to predict and control behavior based on observable phenomena.
Biopsychology: also known as behavioral neuroscience and is the study of how the brain and biological causes influence behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
Conclusion
Every theory, every approach, every field of psychology we explored was trying to answer one powerful question:
“Why do we think, feel, and behave the way we do?”
Whether it's examining the brain's role in emotions, exploring how culture shapes our identity, or learning how behavior is influenced by past experiences — each branch of psychology contributes to a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
Psychology provides valuable insights that can make a real difference.
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Resources:
[2] Structuralism and Functionalism in Psychology: Definition and Influence
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