What is Psychology?

Psychology is a systematic and scientific study of mental processes, experiences, and behaviors – both overt and covert. It is derived from two Greek words:

Psyche: spirit or soul
Logos: discourse or study

What Does Psychology Study?

*Figure 1.1 breaks down what Psychology studies*

Psychology’s Biggest Question: Nature vs. Nurture

Nature:

Traits are inherited and some ideas are inborn. Darwin’s theory of evolution supports this view.
Supporters of this viewpoint: Plato, Socrates, René Descartes, Charles Darwin

Nurture:

Traits develop through experiences and external world interactions. Locke’s “tabula rasa” concept.
Supporters of this viewpoint: Aristotle, John Locke

Nature endows us with capacities; nurture shapes how these capacities develop.

Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis

Of everything you will learn, the most important thing to know about psychology is that it is made up of three very important approaches biopsychosocial approach,

*Figure 1.2 the biopsychosocial approach*

*Table 1.1 breaks down the biopsychosocial approach*

*Figure 1.3 breaks Depression down through the biopsychosocial approach*

Let’s break down more of psychology’s approaches:

Major Approaches in Psychology

*Table 1.2 briefly covers the main approaches in psychology*

Psychology’s Subfields

Psychology is a cluster of many subfields making it a science. Some psychologists conduct basic research that builds psychology’s knowledge base.

*Table 1.3 discusses the subfields in Psychology*

Academic aspect of Psychology aside, there is also a part of Psychology that is devoted to improve aspects of life through:

*Figure 1.4 breaks down the jobs in Psychology*

Let’s take an example.

Sigmund is having a very difficult time at school. He’s performing poorly in class, picking fights, and not focusing when he needs to. So, his concerned teacher sends him to the counselor. The counselor sits him down, talks to him, and tries to figure out how they can help Sigmund. The counselor then realizes that Sigmund might need professional help so they refer them to a Clinical Psychologist – or what we might also know as a therapist. The therapist specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and tries to do work with Sigmund and assesses him and diagnoses him with depression. Time goes on the therapist finds no matter how much work is done, it isn’t working so the therapist recommends Sigmund goes to a Psychiatrist. The Psychiatrist assesses the situation and asks Sigmund to do a round of blood tests, and once he understands Sigmund’s case he recommends an Anti-Depressant while also continuing the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Before all of this, of course, we had some major schools in Psychology, and they are

*Table 1.4 shows the major historic schools in Psychology*

Major Views in Psychology

What is Psychology?

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