Ever wonder why some people behave abnormally and others don’t? Why do some people think negatively and others don’t? Or what a criminal might be thinking before and after committing a crime? Psychology, the scientific study of human behaviour, provides invaluable insights through which we can decode the mysteries of human behaviour.
In this fast-paced world understanding self and others has become significantly important. Psychology provides a strong foundation for understanding behaviour, thoughts and emotions of self and others, helping to navigate through the challenges of life. Psychology, as a discipline, is challenging to define due to its continuous evolution. It is not only a scientific study but also extends into various aspects of daily life, including personal growth, social interactions, and professional success.
What is Psychology?
Textbooks and literature provide a complex definition of psychology, “Psychology is the natural and social science of human behaviour and cognitive processes” (Baron, R. 2001). These definitions provide a foundational understanding of the field but it does not capture its full essence, let’s try to understand psychology from the S.O.R (stimulus organism response) rule:
- Stimulus: Stimulus refers to any external factor that triggers a reaction or response from an organism. It can be a specific event, situation, object, or even a thought that prompts a psychological response.
- Organism: Organism refers to the individual or the person who perceives and interacts with the stimulus. It includes biological, psychological, and social factors that influence how the individual interprets and responds to stimuli.
- Response: Response is the behavioural, emotional, or cognitive reaction of the organism to the stimulus. It reflects how the individual processes and acts upon the stimulus based on their current state, experiences, and temperament.
Example: A student receives an excellent grade on an important exam (stimulus). The student encompasses their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours (organism). The student’s response could involve several possible reactions:
- Behavioural Response: The student might start studying harder for similar future experiences.
- Emotional Response: The student might feel happy, excited, or motivated.
- Cognitive Response: The student might start to think more positively towards their academic performance, and become more confident.
Why you should Study Psychology?
1. Growing Need for the Mental Health Care Workers
Severe mental health problems like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia require psychiatric medication and hospitalization support, a medical doctor plays a key role in the intervention and treatment. But what about less severe problems or problems that are part of the daily life of an individual?
People deal with many problems in day-to-day life such as trauma, stress, internal and interpersonal conflict, anxiety, aggression, and phobias which cannot be categorized as severe mental health problems but are affecting social, personal and occupational functioning. There is a growing need for healthcare workers like psychiatric social workers, psychiatric nurses, psychologists, counsellors and rehabilitation professionals to support people with mental health and related concerns.
2. Individual Differences and Personality Types
While studying Psychology, people learn all about the diversity of human experience. We will learn the different types of personalities, like people who are more dominant and those who are submissive. This knowledge will help understand different perspectives and build empathy and compassion. Not everyone thinks and feels the same way, and there are so many opinions, indicating the temperament and belief system of the individual. Psychologists believe that different personality traits can exist to different degrees in an individual. In this sense, each one of us is a unique combination of various traits.
3. The Study of the Unconscious Mind
It was Sigmund Freud who introduced the concept of unconsciousness in the world of psychology. Freud’s theory focused on the sources and consequences of emotional conflicts. Freud visualizes the human mind in three levels of consciousness:
- The first level is conscious, which includes mental activity like thoughts, feelings and actions of which people are aware.
- The second level is subconscious, which includes feelings, thoughts and actions, which people may become aware of only if they attend to them closely.
Example: Every time your mother reminds you of how nicely you performed the role of Ramji in your school’s annual function, you may have a hard time remembering the event but after looking at the images, you were able to recall the event.
- The third level is unconscious, which includes feelings, thoughts and actions that people are unaware of.
According to Freud, the unconscious stores all ideas and desires that are removed from conscious awareness, because they lead to internal and interpersonal conflicts. Most of these ideas and desires are about sex and related fantasies that cannot be expressed openly and therefore are suppressed. People constantly struggle to find either some socially acceptable ways to express unconscious desires, or to keep those impulses away from being expressed as it can lead to conflict and judgment. Studying psychology can provide us with a deeper understanding of our conscious and unconscious selves.
4. Impact on Society
Studying psychology can have a positive impact on society by fostering a deeper understanding of the human mind and behaviour. This understanding can lead to improved mental health services, effective educational methods, and better training practices.
Psychologists often address societal issues like child sexual abuse, discrimination against groups and communities, and crimes by applying different principles of psychology to ensure well-being. Also, mental health care workers create awareness which can significantly reduce stigma and promote a more empathetic and supportive community.
5. Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills
Studying psychology enhances the problem-solving and critical thinking skills of an individual. It teaches us to critically analyze complex situations, look into multiple perspectives, and develop solutions. These skills are effective both personally and career-wise, making people effective decision-makers.
6. Interpersonal Skills
Studying subjects such as listening and empathy, life skills, human values and community outreach can improve interpersonal communication skills. By learning more about these things, people can gain a greater understanding of other people’s emotions, feelings, negative thoughts etc.
Diverse Branches of Psychology
A. Social Psychology:
Social psychology focuses on how people’s thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced in social situations. It helps in understanding concepts like why we conform to group norms, prejudice, and how social relationships work. For example, it explains why people might change their behaviour when they’re out compared to when they’re at home. understanding these concepts can provide us with an overview of how psychology gives insights into social behaviour.
B. Clinical Psychology:
Clinical psychology focuses on diagnosing and treating psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and even addictions. Clinical psychologists use therapeutic and counselling techniques to help people manage their symptoms. Clinical psychologists increasingly work to reduce the stigma around psychiatric illness and mental health.
C. Counselling Psychology:
Counselling psychology is designed to help people with everyday life issues, such as stress, relationships and career decisions. Counsellors use the strategy of active listening about their troubles and then they offer some ways or techniques that will help them manage, and handle the disruption of daily life. They often work in schools, clinics and private practices alike providing support to guide people through difficult times.
D. Criminal Psychology and Forensic Psychology:
Criminal psychology investigates why people commit crimes and the way their minds work, working closely with another discipline, Forensic psychology is the interpretation of how psychological insights can be used in a legal context, such as for evaluating an accused person’s mental health and aiding decide what type of jury ought to help with adjudication. The fields help ensure that justice is fair and how crime can be prevented in the communities.
E. School Psychology:
Psychologists help students grow academically and emotionally in school. They work with educators and parents to establish a positive atmosphere for students to learn and grow in schools. They may spot learning issues and behavioural problems early enough for learners to get the assistance they need to succeed in school.
F. Educational Psychology:
Educational psychology studies how people learn best. Researchers in this field develop teaching methods that help students understand and remember information. They also study how to create classrooms where every student can thrive, no matter their background or learning style.
G. Developmental Psychology:
Developmental psychology looks at how people change and grow from birth to old age. It studies things like how children learn language, how teenagers develop their identities, and how adults age gracefully. Understanding these changes helps parents, teachers, and healthcare providers support people at every stage of life.
H. Cognitive Psychology:
Cognitive psychology explores how our brains process information, solve problems and make decisions. Researchers in this field study memory, attention, and creativity to understand how people learn new skills and solve everyday problems. Their findings help improve technology, education, and healthcare practices.
I. Neuropsychology and Biopsychology:
Neuropsychology studies how brain injuries and diseases affect behaviour and thinking. Biopsychology explores how biological factors like genes and hormones influence our thoughts and feelings. These fields help us understand conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia and develop treatments to improve people’s lives.
J. Health Psychology:
Health psychology focuses on how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness. It explores how behaviours like diet, exercise, and stress management impact overall well-being. Health psychologists work to promote healthy habits and prevent illness by studying factors like motivation, adherence to medical treatments, and the mind-body connection. They collaborate with healthcare providers to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
K. Rehabilitation Psychology:
Rehabilitation psychology helps individuals with disabilities and chronic illnesses adapt to life changes and achieve their full potential. Psychologists in this field assess patients’ strengths and challenges, develop personalized treatment plans, and provide counselling and support. They focus on enhancing independence, coping skills, and overall quality of life through rehabilitation programs and community resources.
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