M1 - Nature of Psychology - 1583047440

Module 1: Nature of Psychology
The interest in psychology dates back to the times of the great Greek philosophers,
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. In fact, psychology originated from two Greek words,
psyche meaning soul or mind and logos meaning study. During those times, Psychology
was simply the study of the soul or mind. Different authors define Psychology in different
ways but in 1990, Feldman defined Psychology as the scientific study of human
behavior and mental processes. Psychologists study the behavior of both man and
animals but with primary focus on human behavior.
Behavior refers to all the actions or responses of an individual that can be directly or
indirectly observed.
 Overt behavior - a behavior that is directly observable, such as a boy crying or a

secretary typing
 Covert behavior - a behavior that cannot be directly observed such as mental
processes (like thoughts, feelings) and physiological reactions (like glandular
secretions, stomach movements, and heartbeats)
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) and sometimes, to change the behavior so that it
would be more appropriate.
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 schools 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 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 20th 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 Mcapagal, 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. 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 experiences are believed to have a very strong
influence on the development of adult personality (Weiten, 1992).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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).
Methods of Psychological Research
The psychologist uses varied methods in conducting studies or researches about

behavior.
1. Archival Research. This method entails the gathering and analysis of data based on
existing records or documents such as school and health records, newspapers, diaries,
paintings, books, movies, letters, and the like. Archival research is a relatively an
inexpensive means of solving a problem and testing hypothesis, since the data are
already available. One of the drawbacks of this method however is that the information
may be incomplete, or it may have been collected haphazardly (Stewart & Kamins,
1993; Feldman, 1996).
2. Survey Method. This method seeks to determine the behavior, thoughts, or attitudes
of a particular population by investigating a representative sample (Wortman, 1992).
Well-prepared questionnaires, interviews, and standardized or psychometric tests are
used to gather psychological data or information. Surveys may be used for descriptive,
explanatory, and exploratory studies. They are chiefly used in studies that have
individual people as the units of analysis (Babbie and Rubin, 1989).
3. Naturalistic Observation. This method entails systematic recording and analysis of a

psychological event or phenomenon as it occurs naturally. It is observation without the
intervention of the researcher. The important point to remember about naturalistic
observation is that the researcher is passive and simply records what occurs (Feldman,
1996).
4. Correlation Method. This method allows psychologists to determine the extent to

which two or more variables are related. The degree and direction of relationship
between the variables is indicated by a numerical value called correlation coefficient.
A positive correlation means that a high incidence of one variable tend to be
accompanied by a high incidence of the other, while a negative correlation tends to
be accompanied by a low incidence of the other (Wortman and Loftus,1992). It must
be noted however that correlation does not mean causation.
5. Case Study. This is an in-depth investigation of all the important aspects of a single
unit of study. The unit of study can be an individual or a group of individuals. By using
varied methods like psychological testing, interview, observation, and documentary
analysis, the psychologist can provide a detailed picture of a person’s or a group’s
behavior and development.
6. Experimental Method. The experimental method is regarded as the most scientific

and accurate research method because it determines cause-and-effect relationship.
Experiments allow researchers to manipulate and control conditions to find out the
factors or variables that significantly affect behavior.
Fields of Psychology
Psychology is a very broad field with many branches. The following are just some of the
more commonly mentioned fields.
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 a 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 people
with less severe behavioral or personal problems. Some counseling psychologists
provide marriage or career counseling others work as guidance counselors in
educational institution.
11. Industrial-Organizational Psychology focuses on human behavior in business and

industry. I-O psychologists hire and train employees and conduct researchers and plan
programs for improving work productivity, moral, job satisfaction, and consumer
attitude.
12. 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.
13. Sports Psychology is an emerging field that investigates the application of

psychology to athletic activity and exercise. It deals with motivation, social aspects of
sports, and impact of training on muscle development.
Major Themes in Psychology (Weiten, 1998) In studying psychology, themes can be

derived.
1. Psychology is empirical. This premise indicates that knowledge about behavior

should be acquired through observation.
2. Psychology is theoretically diverse. This means that the study of behavior is based
from varied theoretical viewpoints. No single theory can adequately explain everything
that is known about behavior.
3. Psychology evolves in a socio-historical context. Psychology is influenced by what

happens in society at large. Trends, issues, and values in society influence psychology’s
evolution. Similarly, progress in psychology affects trends, issues and values in society.
Behavior is determined by multiple causes. In general, psychologists find that behavior is
governed by a complex network of interacting forces, an idea referred to as the
multifactorial causation of behavior.
4. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior. Psychologists agree that

behavior is a result of the interaction of genetic endowments and environmental
conditions.
5. Our experience of the world is highly subjective. This means that our perception,
interpretation, and understanding of events rely on our personal motives and value
judgments. We actively process incoming information, selectively focusing on some
aspects of that information while ignoring others. For example, we have the tendency
to see what we want or expect to see.

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Module 1: Nature of Psychology

 Overt behavior - a behavior that is directly observable, such as a boy crying or a

Brief History of Psychology

1. Structuralism. Edward Bradford Titchener, a student of Wundt, popularized

Current Perspectives in Psychology

1. Psychoanalytic Perspective. This perspective holds that behavior is influenced by

Methods of Psychological Research

The psychologist uses varied methods in conducting studies or researches about

3. Naturalistic Observation. This method entails systematic recording and analysis of a

4. Correlation Method. This method allows psychologists to determine the extent to

6. Experimental Method. The experimental method is regarded as the most scientific

1. Experimental Psychology studies the fundamental causes of behavior. The

3. Developmental Psychology studies how behavior develops from the moment of

4. Social Psychology studies how group interaction influences individual behavior.

5. Educational psychology deals with the application of psychological principles in the

6. Personality psychology deals with the unique qualities of an individual. It studies

7. Abnormal Psychology studies mental and behavioral disorders. This is otherwise

11. Industrial-Organizational Psychology focuses on human behavior in business and

13. Sports Psychology is an emerging field that investigates the application of

Major Themes in Psychology (Weiten, 1998) In studying psychology, themes can be

1. Psychology is empirical. This premise indicates that knowledge about behavior

3. Psychology evolves in a socio-historical context. Psychology is influenced by what

4. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior. Psychologists agree that

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