1.

Definition of Psychology

The term psychology is etymologically derived from the words, psyche meaning mind and
logus meaning study. Psychology can be defined as, the scientific study of behavour and
mental processes.

2. Psychology is a Science

There are various ways to get knowledge about our world.

(I) Religious Knowledge is believed as a matter of faith.
(II) Traditional Knowledge is passed on from one generation to another generation
(III) Common Sense Knowledge is credited to common Sense
(IV) Literary & Aesthetic Knowledge is taken from works of art, literature, poetry and drama.

Psychology uses the methods of science for the better understanding of its subject matter.
Science may be defined as, an organized body of knowledge gained through application of
scientific methods. Psychology provides information about the behaviors and mental processes.
Scientific methods may be defined as, systematic procedures of discovery that include
observation, description, control and replication. The reliance of Psychology on scientific
methods also qualifies Psychology as a science.

3. Subject Matter of Psychology


(I) Psychology is the study of behavior. By behavior we mean an action of organism that can
be observed and measured.
(II) Psychology is the study of mental process. By mental process, we mean the internal
activities of consciousness, including cognition and affect.

Cognition may be defined as the process of knowing, perceiving, thinking, remembering etc.
Affect is the feeling or mood that accompanies an emotional reaction.