What went wrong when the king rode under the arch?

It was too low and knocked off his crown

How does the chain of blame unfold in the poem?

Each accused person blames another, ending with the king's own changes

How is psychology formally defined?

It is the science that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts by using methods of the biological and social sciences to obtain data systematically.

What is the difference between overt and covert behaviour?

Overt behaviour can be outwardly seen or sensed by an observer (e.g. running), while covert behaviour is internal (e.g. a muscle twitch while thinking of a chess move).

Why is psychology considered both a natural and a social science?

As a natural science it uses the hypothetico-deductive method and controlled study of cause and effect; as a social science it studies behaviour within its socio-cultural context where each phenomenon has multiple causes.

Who founded the first psychology laboratory and when?

Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in 1879, marking the formal beginning of modern psychology.

What is the focus of the cognitive approach?

Cognition is the process of knowing; the cognitive approach studies thinking, perceiving, memorising and problem solving, sometimes viewing the mind as an information-processing system like a computer.

How did psychology develop in India?

The first psychology laboratory was set up at Calcutta University in 1915 and the first Department of Psychology in 1916, influenced by N.N. Sengupta and G. Bose, growing through phases ending in indigenisation.

Why is common-sense knowledge of behaviour unreliable?

Common sense is based on hindsight and explains behaviour only after it occurs, whereas psychology looks for patterns that can be predicted and verified scientifically.

Name four branches of psychology and what they study.

Cognitive psychology (mental processes), developmental psychology (changes across the lifespan), clinical and counselling psychology (psychological disorders) and sports psychology (improving performance).

How is a clinical psychologist different from a psychiatrist?

A clinical psychologist has a degree in psychology with training in treating disorders, while a psychiatrist has a medical degree and can prescribe medication and electroshock treatment.

How is psychology useful in everyday life?

It helps people understand themselves and others, develop good study habits, improve learning and memory, make decisions and cope with stress such as examination anxiety.

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Chapter 1: What is Psychology? — Class 11 Psychology

Psychology · 8 chapters

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Chapter 1: What is Psychology?

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The word "psychology" is derived from the Greek words psyche and logos, meaning:

Summary

Psychology is formally defined as the science that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts, using methods drawn from both the biological and social sciences. The word comes from the Greek psyche (soul) and logos (study), reflecting its origin in philosophy as a study of the soul or mind, before it became a scientific discipline. Mental processes such as remembering, perceiving, thinking and feeling are internal but interdependent with brain activity, although mind is not identical to brain. Experiences are subjective and embedded in awareness, while behaviours are overt or covert responses linked to stimuli. Psychology runs as two parallel streams: a natural science following the hypothetico-deductive model and an evolutionary approach, and a social science studying behaviour in socio-cultural contexts. Modern psychology formally began in 1879 when Wundt set up the first laboratory in Leipzig, leading to schools such as structuralism, functionalism (James), Gestalt psychology, behaviourism (Watson, Skinner), psychoanalysis (Freud), humanistic (Rogers, Maslow) and cognitive approaches. In India it grew from Calcutta University after 1916. The discipline has many branches including cognitive, biological, developmental, social, clinical and counselling, and sports psychology, and links closely with philosophy, medicine, computer science, law and the arts. Psychology is personally and socially relevant in everyday life.

What is Psychology?Psychology as a DisciplinePsychology as a Natural SciencePsychology as a Social ScienceUnderstanding Mind and BehaviourPopular Notions about PsychologyEvolution of PsychologyDevelopment of Psychology in IndiaBranches of PsychologyPsychology in Everyday Life

Key terms

Psychology

The science that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts using systematic methods.

Behaviour

Responses or reactions an organism makes; behaviour may be overt (observable) or covert (internal).

Introspection

A method in which trained subjects describe in detail their own conscious mental experiences.

Structuralism

Wundt's school that analysed the structure of the mind into its basic building blocks through introspection.

Functionalism

William James' approach concerned with what the mind does and how behaviour helps people adapt to the environment.

Behaviourism

Watson's view that psychology should study only observable, measurable behaviour rather than mind or consciousness.

Gestalt psychology

A school holding that perceptual experience is more than the sum of its parts and is organised as a whole.

Important questions

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The science that studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts using systematic methods.

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