Psychology Notes

1.
Definition of psychology:
Psychology is a study of mind, consciousness and behaviour. “Psychology
is a science which aims to give us better understanding and control of the
behaviour of the organism as a whole.” – William McDoughall.
2.FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY:
1. Clinical Psychology - This treatment-oriented branch of psychology

deals with scientific ways of handling psychological problems also called
counseling psychology.
2. Biopsychology - This branch of psychology looks at the role the brain

and neurotransmitters play in influencing our thoughts, feelings and
behaviours.
3. Educational Psychology - Educational psychology is the

scientific study of human behaviour in an educational setting and, as such, it
deals with issues such as learning disorders, adolescence behaviours, and so
on.
4. Cognitive Psychology - The branch of psychology that deals with

mental processes, such as thoughts, memory and problem solving, is called
cognitive psychology. In essence, it is concerned with the perception and
problem-solving capability of the brain.
5. Forensic Psychology - The application of psychology to law

making, law enforcement, the examination of witnesses, and the treatment of the
criminal is the job of the forensic psychologist. Also known as legal psychology,
this branch of psychology is not dissimilar to cognitive and clinical psychology,
but involves a thorough understanding of the law.
6. Social Psychology - Focussed on the psychological aspects of

individuals within a community environment, community psychology explores
characteristics such as interdependence, adaptation, diplomacy, empowerment,
social justice, and so on. It is also referred to as critical psychology.
7. Industrial Psychology - This branch of psychology addresses

practical problems in the workplace through the application of psychological
principles. Industrial psychologists, also called organisational psychologists,
are employed by companies to administer tests which measure employee
aptitudes or skills in hiring and placement programmes.
8. Health Psychology - This branch of psychology observes how

behaviour, biology and social context influence illness and health. Health
psychologists generally work alongside other medical professionals in clinical
settings.
9. Experimental Psychology - Experimental psychologists work to
understand the underlying causes of behaviour by studying humans and
animals. They work mainly in a laboratory environment, exploring how different
species interrelate and investigating the evolutionary significance of certain
behaviours.
10. Developmental Psychology - Developmental psychology is a

branch of psychology that attempts to explain the development of humans over
time, both in the micro sense, as they develop from babies to mature adults, and
in the macro sense, as the culture itself evolves through the years and decades.
3.DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF BEHAVIOUR:
Behavior can be defined as the actions or reactions of a person in response to

external or internal stimulus situation.
According to Crowder “Behavior is any activity which can be observed, recorded
and measured, this includes first what living beings or organisms do- that is their
movement in space”.
Classification of Human Behavior
To analyze and measure the behavior psychologists have divided behavior into
different classes. Classification of human behavior given below-
Human behavior classification
1. Molecular and Moral Behavior:

Molecular behavior: The sudden behavior what occurs without thinking
something is called molecular behavior.
Example: Abul hits a stick on Kuddus eyes and Kuddus closes his eyes at once.
This is molecular behavior. Unpredictable situation whereas Kuddus has not any
preparation to his eyes or face situation.
Moler Behavior: Moler behavior is the opposite of molecular behavior. When
human behavior occurs with a thinking process is called moler behavior.
Example: counter attract.
2. Overt & Covert Behavior:
Overt behavior: The behavior that is visible and what occurs outside of human
being is called overt behavior.
Example: Playing football, eating something is overt behavior.
Covert behavior: The behavior that is not visible and what occurs inside of
human being is called covert behavior
Example: thinking.
3. Voluntary and Involuntary Behavior:
Voluntary behavior: The behavior what depend on human want is called
voluntary behavior. Human beings always have control on voluntary behavior.
Example: Speaking, walking, writing etc.
Involuntary behavior: Behavior what occurs naturally is called involuntary
behavior.
Example: Movement of heart, taking oxygen and giving up carbon dioxide.
Characteristics of Human Behavior
A. Social rules and regulations
B. Language and understanding
C. Education and knowledge
D. Adaptability
E. Capacity to learn knowledge
F. Drive\aim
G. Human being is great in behavior and knowledge.

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1.

1. Clinical Psychology - This treatment-oriented branch of psychology

2. Biopsychology - This branch of psychology looks at the role the brain

3. Educational Psychology - Educational psychology is the

4. Cognitive Psychology - The branch of psychology that deals with

5. Forensic Psychology - The application of psychology to law

6. Social Psychology - Focussed on the psychological aspects of

7. Industrial Psychology - This branch of psychology addresses

8. Health Psychology - This branch of psychology observes how

10. Developmental Psychology - Developmental psychology is a

Behavior can be defined as the actions or reactions of a person in response to

Human behavior classification

1. Molecular and Moral Behavior:

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