PPT: What is Psychology? | Psychology Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


What is Psychology?
Page 2


What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and 
behavior.
Originally conceptualized as the study of the soul, 
it has evolved into a discipline that examines 
human experiences, mental processes, and 
behaviors.
As a science, psychology uses methods from 
both biological and social sciences to 
systematically observe, measure, and understand 
the factors that influence human behavior.
Page 3


What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and 
behavior.
Originally conceptualized as the study of the soul, 
it has evolved into a discipline that examines 
human experiences, mental processes, and 
behaviors.
As a science, psychology uses methods from 
both biological and social sciences to 
systematically observe, measure, and understand 
the factors that influence human behavior.
Mental processes are internal states of 
consciousness distinct from yet connected to 
brain activities. 
Experiences are subjective phenomena within an 
individual's consciousness, shaped by both 
internal and external factors.
Behaviors include responses and actions 
triggered by internal or external stimuli, with 
psychologists studying the stimulus-response 
relationship.
Mental Processes
Psychologists study learning, memory, 
perception, and emotions to enhance 
mental capabilities and applications.
Experiences
Studied experiences range from pain 
and grief to positive encounters and 
altered states of consciousness from 
meditation or substances.
Behavior
Analysis examines overt and covert 
actions, connecting them to 
environmental stimuli and internal 
processes that drive responses.
Page 4


What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and 
behavior.
Originally conceptualized as the study of the soul, 
it has evolved into a discipline that examines 
human experiences, mental processes, and 
behaviors.
As a science, psychology uses methods from 
both biological and social sciences to 
systematically observe, measure, and understand 
the factors that influence human behavior.
Mental processes are internal states of 
consciousness distinct from yet connected to 
brain activities. 
Experiences are subjective phenomena within an 
individual's consciousness, shaped by both 
internal and external factors.
Behaviors include responses and actions 
triggered by internal or external stimuli, with 
psychologists studying the stimulus-response 
relationship.
Mental Processes
Psychologists study learning, memory, 
perception, and emotions to enhance 
mental capabilities and applications.
Experiences
Studied experiences range from pain 
and grief to positive encounters and 
altered states of consciousness from 
meditation or substances.
Behavior
Analysis examines overt and covert 
actions, connecting them to 
environmental stimuli and internal 
processes that drive responses.
Psychology as a Discipline
Focus of Study
Psychology studies behavior, 
experience, and mental 
processes to understand how 
the mind works and how 
different mental processes lead 
to various behaviors.
Approaches
Psychologists aim to minimize 
biases in explanations by 
employing scientific and 
objective analysis or by 
emphasizing subjective 
experiences as essential to 
human understanding.
Indian Tradition
In the Indian tradition, self-
reflection and conscious 
experience analysis are seen as 
significant for psychological 
insights, a view increasingly 
echoed by Western 
psychologists.
Despite diverse approaches, psychologists seek systematic and verifiable understanding of behavior, mental 
processes, and experiences. Psychology, while an ancient field, is a relatively young science, dating back to 
the establishment of the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig.
Page 5


What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and 
behavior.
Originally conceptualized as the study of the soul, 
it has evolved into a discipline that examines 
human experiences, mental processes, and 
behaviors.
As a science, psychology uses methods from 
both biological and social sciences to 
systematically observe, measure, and understand 
the factors that influence human behavior.
Mental processes are internal states of 
consciousness distinct from yet connected to 
brain activities. 
Experiences are subjective phenomena within an 
individual's consciousness, shaped by both 
internal and external factors.
Behaviors include responses and actions 
triggered by internal or external stimuli, with 
psychologists studying the stimulus-response 
relationship.
Mental Processes
Psychologists study learning, memory, 
perception, and emotions to enhance 
mental capabilities and applications.
Experiences
Studied experiences range from pain 
and grief to positive encounters and 
altered states of consciousness from 
meditation or substances.
Behavior
Analysis examines overt and covert 
actions, connecting them to 
environmental stimuli and internal 
processes that drive responses.
Psychology as a Discipline
Focus of Study
Psychology studies behavior, 
experience, and mental 
processes to understand how 
the mind works and how 
different mental processes lead 
to various behaviors.
Approaches
Psychologists aim to minimize 
biases in explanations by 
employing scientific and 
objective analysis or by 
emphasizing subjective 
experiences as essential to 
human understanding.
Indian Tradition
In the Indian tradition, self-
reflection and conscious 
experience analysis are seen as 
significant for psychological 
insights, a view increasingly 
echoed by Western 
psychologists.
Despite diverse approaches, psychologists seek systematic and verifiable understanding of behavior, mental 
processes, and experiences. Psychology, while an ancient field, is a relatively young science, dating back to 
the establishment of the first psychology laboratory in 1879 in Leipzig.
Fields like Neuroscience and Computer Science heavily draw from 
psychology, with brain imaging technologies and cognitive psychology 
being pivotal for advancements in various disciplines.
Two Main Streams
Psychology today 
encompasses two main 
streams: one rooted in physical 
and biological sciences and the 
other in social and cultural 
sciences, often intersecting and 
diverging in their approaches.
Biological Approach
Psychology focusing on 
biological principles seeks 
causal explanations for 
behavior, aiming to predict and 
control behavior based on 
identified cause-and-effect 
relationships.
Social Science Approach
Conversely, psychology as a 
social science emphasizes 
explaining behavior through 
person-sociocultural context 
interactions, assuming multiple 
causes for behavioral 
phenomena.