General Psychology

Definition of Psychology and Importance of It

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Introduction

What is Psychology?
Psychology is derived from the Greek words Psyche and logos, meaning soul
and study. To Greeks, Psychology is simply a study of the soul.
Different authors define Psychology in different ways but in 1990, Feldman
defines Psychology as the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.
Scientific because it uses the steps in a scientific method in its quest to understand why
a person behaves in a certain manner. It is systematic and empirical and it is dependent
upon measurements. A scientific method generally follows the ff. steps:
1.) Identification of the Problem
2.) Formulation of Hypothesis
3.) Gathering of Data
4.) Interpretation and Analysis of Data
5: Generalization of Conclusion
Behavior includes everything that we do thinking, feeling, writing, reading,
imagining, etc.
Kinds of Behavior
a. Overt -> behavior that is observable by others and can be seen readily (ex. Laughing,
shouting, talking, etc.)

b. Covert -> behavior that is internal therefore not observable and cannot be seen. This
comes in the forms of feelings, thoughts, and motives (ex. Happy, angry, imaginations, etc.)
Sigmund Freud, a Psychoanalyst classified behavior according to a persons
awareness of his behavior, to wit:
a. Conscious Behavior -> any behavior that the person is aware of (ex. walking, eating,
etc.)
b. Unconscious Behavior -> any behavior that the person is not aware of (ex.
mannerisms, shaking of the legs while sitting, biting your fingers, playing, with your pen
while listening to your teachers discussion, etc.)
According to Freud, our unconscious is bigger than the conscious. Dreams and
slip of the tongue phenomenon are some ways of releasing the unconscious.
October 31, 2008 Posted by menardparas2000 | Psychology As A Behavioral Science | 1990,
Behavior, Conscious Behavior, Covert, Feldman, Kinds of Behavior, logos, Overt, psyche,
psyche and logos, Psychology, scientific method, Sigmund Freud, Unconscious Behavior | 1
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Kinds of Motives or Drives

1. Physiological Drives or Motives
These drives ar inborn and present at birth. They are essential to life.

Hunger Drive -> a feeling of hunger will motivate a person to look for food

Thirst Drive -> a feeling of thirst will motivate a person to look for water/liquid to
maintain water level in the body

Elimination Drive -> this drive dictates the body to release body waste or else the person
will be poisoned

Oxygen need or air-hunger -> no body would survive without oxygen

Fatigue -> prolonged tensions, problems, frustrations, worry and boredom can cause
fatigue. People has to find time to rest, relax and recreate.

Rest and Sleep -> after a long day of chores, we get tired so our body needs this in order
to regain energy and strength

Avoidance of pain -> every normal person like to avoid pain

sex drive ->this sex drive is not essential to life but vital for the preservation of the
human species

maternal drive -> every mammal including human mothers manifest the maternal drive in
taking care of thier young.

warmth and cold -> this is important for the maintenance of normal body temperature.

2. Psychological and Social Drives

Parent-Child motives. Human infants need their parents to care for them and to provide
for their needs, Parents perform these functions. In effect, the child becomes attached to
them.

Peer-group relations - affiliation motives. As children grow up, their environment also
broadens, they establish relationships with their friends, classmates, etc. The social
adjustment will depend on the extent to which these motives are satisfied.

motives related to competence and self. The first and foremost of these motives is
achievement motivation or the desire to accomplish something. All of us want to have the
feeling of having achieved something.

December 17, 2008 Posted by menardparas2000 | Motivation | Drives, Kinds of Motives or

Drives, motives | Leave a comment