Psychology as a discipline
A discipline is a field of study with its own questions, methods and theories. Psychology is the discipline that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour of people in different situations.
- Mental processes: activities of the mind such as attention, remembering, thinking and problem solving.
- Experiences: what we feel inside, known only to us, like joy or fear. They are coloured by our needs and the situation.
- Behaviour: responses we make to a stimulus (something that starts a response). It may be simple (blinking) or complex (planning a trip).
Overt and covert behaviour
Overt behaviour can be seen by others (writing, running). Covert behaviour is hidden (heartbeat rising, muscles tightening). Both are studied.
Psychology as a natural science and a social science
As a natural science: psychology began in laboratories. It uses the scientific method: make a hypothesis, test it with experiments, check the result. It studies the brain, nerves and hormones, just like biology studies the body.
As a social science: people live in families, schools, groups and cultures. Psychology studies how society and culture shape our thinking and behaviour, like sociology and anthropology do.
So psychology stands on both sides. Newer areas (such as evolutionary psychology on one side and cultural psychology on the other) show both roots.
Mind and behaviour
For a long time people argued whether mind and body are separate. Today psychologists agree that the mind (our awareness, thoughts and feelings) and the brain (the organ) are closely linked but are not the same word.
- Brain imaging shows different brain areas become active when we think, remember or feel.
- The mind can change the body: calm thoughts and slow breathing lower heart rate and blood pressure. Worry raises them.
- Ideas like positive health and mind-body healing come from this link.
Because the mind cannot be seen, psychologists study it through behaviour and through what people report.
Popular notions about psychology
Everyone is an "everyday psychologist": we guess why friends act the way they do. But common-sense ideas are often wrong or contradict each other (for example "absence makes the heart grow fonder" versus "out of sight, out of mind").
- Myth: psychologists can read minds. Fact: they infer from tests, interviews and behaviour.
- Myth: psychology is only about mental illness. Fact: it studies learning, memory, work, sport, children and well-being of healthy people too.
- Myth: psychology is just common sense. Fact: it checks ideas with systematic evidence; some findings surprise common sense.
Try it at home
For one day, write three things you did (overt behaviour), one thing your body did that nobody saw (covert behaviour) and one feeling (experience). Then, in the 3D free-play step, test five popular beliefs.
Key formulas and definitions
- Psychology = science of mental processes + experience + behaviour
- Overt behaviour: can be seen by others; covert behaviour: hidden inside
- Stimulus → response (behaviour)
- Natural science side: brain, experiments; social science side: society, culture
Worked examples
1. Classify: (a) Riya smiles at a friend, (b) Riya's palms sweat before a speech, (c) Riya remembers a poem.
(a) Overt behaviour, seen by others. (b) Covert behaviour, a hidden body change. (c) A mental process (memory), inferred when she recites.
2. Why is psychology called a natural science?
It uses the scientific method (hypothesis, experiment, checking), and it studies the brain, nervous system and hormones like biology does.
3. Your uncle says "Psychology is just common sense." How will you answer?
Common-sense sayings often contradict each other, and they are not tested. Psychology tests ideas with careful data, and sometimes finds that common sense is wrong.
4. Give one example that shows the mind can change the body.
When a student practises slow breathing and calm thinking before an exam, the heart rate and blood pressure go down.
Common mistakes
- Defining psychology as only "the study of the mind". It studies mental processes, experience and behaviour.
- Thinking behaviour means only visible actions. Covert behaviour (heartbeat, muscle tension) also counts.
- Saying psychology is only a natural science or only a social science. It is both.
- Believing psychologists can read minds or only treat mental illness.