Meaning and Scope of Psychology
1. Introduction
Psychology is one of the most important branches of social science. It helps us understand human behaviour, thoughts, emotions, and actions in different situations. In modern times, psychology plays a vital role in education, health, industry, counselling, and social life.
2. Meaning of Psychology
Etymological Meaning
The word Psychology is derived from two Greek words:
Psyche – meaning soul or mind
Logos – meaning study or science
Thus, psychology originally meant the study of the soul.
Modern Definitions of Psychology
Over time, the meaning of psychology has evolved:
Psychology as the study of the soul
Old philosophical view
Not scientific and could not be tested
Psychology as the study of the mind
Focused on mental processes like thinking and imagination
Mind could not be directly observed
Psychology as the study of consciousness
Studied awareness, feelings, and experiences
Used introspection method
Psychology as the study of behaviour (Modern View)
Behaviour includes all activities of an individualCan be observed and measured scientifically.
Most Accepted Definition
“Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes.”
This definition includes:
Behaviour – observable actions (walking, talking, working)
Mental processes – thinking, learning, memory, emotions
3. Nature of Psychology
Psychology Is a scientific discipline
Studies human and animal behaviour
Uses systematic methods like observation, experimentation, and testing
Is both a theoretical and applied science
4. Scope of Psychology
The scope of psychology refers to the areas and fields where psychological principles are applied. It is very wide and growing continuously.
A. Major Branches of Psychology
1. General Psychology
Deals with basic psychological processes
Includes learning, memory, perception, motivation, and emotions
Forms the foundation of other branches
2. Educational Psychology
Applies psychology to education and teaching
Studies learning processes, intelligence, and individual differences
Helps teachers improve teaching methods
3. Child Psychology
Studies behaviour and development of children
Focuses on physical, emotional, social, and mental growth
Useful for parents and teachers
4. Developmental Psychology
Studies human development from birth to old age
Covers childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and ageing
Helps understand life-span changes
5. Social Psychology
Studies behaviour of individuals in social situations
Includes attitudes, group behaviour, leadership, and social influence
Useful in understanding society and social problems
6. Abnormal Psychology
Studies abnormal behaviour and mental disorders
Deals with causes, symptoms, and treatment of mental illness
Forms the basis of clinical psychology
7. Clinical Psychology
Diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders
Uses therapy, counselling, and psychological tests
Works in hospitals and clinics
8. Counselling Psychology
Helps individuals deal with personal, emotional, and career problems
Focuses on adjustment, stress, anxiety, and relationships
9. Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Studies behaviour of workers in industries
Improves productivity, job satisfaction, and work environment
Used in human resource management
10. Health Psychology
Studies relationship between psychological factors and health
Deals with stress, lifestyle, and illness prevention
Promotes mental and physical well-being
11. Educational & Guidance Psychology
Helps students in career guidance and vocational choices
Assists in educational planning and adjustment
B. Scope of Psychology in Different Fields
1. Psychology in Education
Helps understand learners’ needs
Improves teaching-learning process
Deals with motivation and discipline
2. Psychology in Medicine
Helps doctors understand patient behaviour
Useful in mental health and psychosomatic diseases
3. Psychology in Industry
Selection and training of employees
Improves efficiency and work satisfaction
4. Psychology in Social Life
Helps solve social problems like crime, addiction, and violence
Improves interpersonal relationships
5. Psychology in Sports
Improves performance, confidence, and motivation of athletes
Helps manage stress and anxiety
5. Importance of Psychology
Helps understand self and others
Improves mental health
Helps in problem-solving and decision-making
Enhances personal and professional life
Contributes to social harmony
6. Conclusion
Psychology is a scientific and practical discipline with a wide scope. It not only studies behaviour and mental processes but also applies its principles to improve human life. With growing complexities of modern life, the importance and scope of psychology are increasing day by day.
Psychology is derived from which language?
A. Latin
B. Greek
C. French
D. German
Answer: B
The word Psyche means
A. Study
B. Behaviour
C. Soul or mind
D. Knowledge
Answer: C
Logos means
A. Soul
B. Behaviour
C. Study or science
D. Thought
Answer: C
Psychology was first defined as the study of
A. Behaviour
B. Mind
C. Consciousness
D. Soul
Answer: D
Modern psychology is the study of
A. Soul
B. Mind
C. Behaviour and mental processes
D. Consciousness
Answer: C
Which of the following is an observable behaviour?
A. Thinking
B. Feeling
C. Walking
D. Remembering
Answer: C
Psychology is considered a science because it uses
A. Beliefs
B. Superstitions
C. Scientific methods
D. Opinions
Answer: C
Behaviour includes
A. Only internal activities
B. Only external activities
C. Both internal and external activities
D. Only emotions
Answer: C
Psychology studies
A. Only animals
B. Only humans
C. Both humans and animals
D. Only children
Answer: C
Which branch studies basic mental processes?
A. Social psychology
B. Clinical psychology
C. General psychology
D. Educational psychology
Answer: C
Educational psychology is related to
A. Industry
B. Teaching and learning
C. Crime
D. Mental illness
Answer: B
Child psychology studies
A. Adult behaviour
B. Worker behaviour
C. Child development
D. Old age
Answer: C
Developmental psychology studies
A. Childhood only
B. Adolescence only
C. Life-span development
D. Old age only
Answer: C
Social psychology studies
A. Individual learning
B. Group behaviour
C. Intelligence
D. Mental illness
Answer: B
Abnormal psychology deals with
A. Normal behaviour
B. Learning
C. Mental disorders
D. Teaching methods
Answer: C
Clinical psychology is concerned with
A. Teaching
B. Diagnosis and treatment
C. Industry
D. Research only
Answer: B
Counselling psychology helps people with
A. Physical injuries
B. Emotional and personal problems
C. Crime detection
D. Machine operation
Answer: B
Industrial psychology studies
A. Child growth
B. Worker behaviour
C. Animal behaviour
D. Social life
Answer: B
Health psychology focuses on
A. Mental illness only
B. Physical illness only
C. Mental and physical well-being
D. Superstitions
Answer: C
Sports psychology helps to improve
A. Age
B. Diet
C. Mental strength and performance
D. Height
Answer: C
Psychology in education helps to
A. Increase punishment
B. Understand learners
C. Reduce teaching
D. Avoid students
Answer: B
Psychology in medicine helps doctors understand
A. Diseases only
B. Patient behaviour
C. Surgical tools
D. Medicines
Answer: B
Psychology in industry improves
A. Machinery
B. Productivity and job satisfaction
C. Buildings
D. Raw materials
Answer: B
Psychology helps individuals to understand
A. Nature
B. Machines
C. Self and others
D. Animals only
Answer: C
Psychology contributes to
A. Social harmony
B. Social conflict
C. Isolation
D. Ignorance
Answer: A
Career guidance is mainly related to
A. Abnormal psychology
B. Counselling psychology
C. Clinical psychology
D. Experimental psychology
Answer: B
Psychology helps in solving
A. Mathematical problems
B. Mechanical problems
C. Personal and social problems
D. Chemical problems
Answer: C
The scope of psychology is
A. Narrow
B. Fixed
C. Wide and expanding
D. Declining
Answer: C
Psychology studies individual differences in
A. Machines
B. Intelligence and personality
C. Buildings
D. Weather
Answer: B
Psychology is both
A. Philosophy and art
B. Science and philosophy
C. Science and applied discipline
D. Theory only
Answer: C
Mental processes include
A. Walking
B. Running
C. Thinking and memory
D. Writing
Answer: C
Psychology uses experiments to
A. Prove beliefs
B. Test hypotheses
C. Spread opinions
D. Entertain people
Answer: B
Psychology is important in social life to
A. Increase conflict
B. Solve social problems
C. Promote isolation
D. Create fear
Answer: B
Which branch helps in employee selection?
A. Child psychology
B. Social psychology
C. Industrial psychology
D. Clinical psychology
Answer: C
Psychology helps improve
A. Communication skills
B. Human relations
C. Adjustment
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Behaviour can be defined as
A. Only thinking
B. Only emotions
C. Any response to stimuli
D. Only reflex actions
Answer: C
Psychology aims to
A. Control nature
B. Understand behaviour
C. Predict weather
D. Study history
Answer: B
Psychology helps teachers to
A. Punish students
B. Understand learning difficulties
C. Ignore differences
D. Increase workload
Answer: B
Psychology contributes to mental health by
A. Increasing stress
B. Understanding emotions
C. Creating fear
D. Avoiding therapy
Answer: B
Psychology applies its principles in
A. Education
B. Industry
C. Health
D. All of the above
Answer: D
The scientific nature of psychology means it is
A. Philosophical
B. Religious
C. Systematic and objective
D. Imaginative
Answer: C
Which branch focuses on human adjustment?
A. Counselling psychology
B. Animal psychology
C. Experimental psychology
D. Social psychology
Answer: A
Psychology helps in decision-making by
A. Guessing
B. Emotional reactions
C. Understanding behaviour
D. Ignoring facts
Answer: C
Psychology is useful in improving
A. Memory
B. Learning
C. Motivation
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Psychology studies behaviour in relation to
A. Environment
B. Heredity
C. Situation
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Psychology is important for understanding
A. Machines
B. Human relationships
C. Weather
D. History
Answer: B
The ultimate aim of psychology is to
A. Control people
B. Understand and improve human life
C. Replace medicine
D. Eliminate emotions
Answer: B
Which branch studies behaviour across different age groups?
A. Child psychology
B. Developmental psychology
C. Social psychology
D. Clinical psychology
Answer: B
Psychology helps society by
A. Creating problems
B. Ignoring issues
C. Solving social problems
D. Increasing conflict
Answer: C
Psychology can best be described as
A. A philosophical subject
B. A scientific study of behaviour
C. A religious study
D. A historical subject
Answer: B
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