Introduction to the

Psychology
By
Zartash Naqvi
Lecturer Psychology
FAST CFD

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Origin Of Psychology

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 Origin Of Psychology
While psychology did not emerge as a separate discipline until
the late 1800s, its earliest history can be traced back to the
time of the early Greeks. During the 17th-century, the
French philosopher Rene Descartes introduced the idea of
dualism, which asserted that the mind and body were two
entities that interact to form the human experience.

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 Origin Of Psychology
Physiology also contributed to psychology’s eventual
emergence as a scientific discipline.
By the 1870s a small number of scholars in both fields were
actively exploring questions about the mind. How are bodily
sensations turned into a mental awareness of the out-side
world? Are our perceptions of the world accurate reflections
of reality? How do mind and body interact? The philosophers
and physiologists who were interested in the mind viewed
such questions as fascinating issues within their respective
fields.

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 Origin Of Psychology
Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894) asked his participants to
push a button when they felt a touch. When a thigh was
touched, participants reacted faster than when a toe was
touched. Because the toe is farther from the brain than the
thigh, signals from the toe required more time to reach the
brain. These types of discoveries about the physical aspects
of mind convinced scientists that the mind was not
supernatural and could be studied scientifically.

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 Definition of Psychology

In order to become a scientific discipline, it’s most acceptable definition has been
achieved after the critical evaluation of the following definitions:
i. Psychology as a science of soul.
ii. Psychology as a science of mind.
iii. Psychology as a science of consciousness.
iv. Psychology as a science of behaviour.

In conclusion, the most accepted and well-known definition of psychology is:

“Psychology is the scientific study of Mental

processes )and behaviour”
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 Definition of Psychology

• The word psychology comes from Greek roots meaning the study
of soul or spirit’’.
• The combination of two Greek letters ‘’Psych’’ and ‘’Logus’’ make
the term psychology.
• Psych= Self, mind or soul
• Logus= knowledge
• The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes and how
they are affected by an organism’s physical state, mental state,
and external environment.
• Psychology is the science of the activities of the individual in
relation to its environment.
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 Defining Psychology
What is Mental Process?
• The term “mental processes” refers to
the private thoughts, emotions, feelings,
and motives that others cannot directly
observe.
What is behaviour?
• The term “behaviour” refers to all of a
person’s overt actions that others can
directly observe.

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Defining Psychology

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 Defining Psychology
What is behaviour?
• Includes anything a person or animal does;
that can be observed in some way.
• behaviour can be :

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Overt Behavior Obviously manifested action,
activities and behavior.
The word “Overt” is an adjective which refers
to something which is clearly apparent.
Overt behavior can be defined as observable
behavior or responses depicted in the forms
of actions

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Overt Behavior Example
• Behaviors such as speaking, walking, running,
working etc are termed under observable
behavior.
• When a man is walking, walking is the overt
behavior since it can be observed

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Covert Behavior
• The word “Covert” refers to something which is
not openly acknowledged or displayed.
• Covert behavior can be defined as unobservable
behavior which leads to certain actions.
Covert Behavior example
• Behaviors such as thinking, dreaming, reasoning
etc are termed as unobservable behavior.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Conscious Behaviour
Acts within the level of one’s awareness.
Your conscious experiences are constantly shifting
and changing. For example, in one moment you may
be focused on reading this article. Your
consciousness may then shift to the memory of a
conversation you had earlier with a co-worker.
Next, you might notice how uncomfortable your
chair is, or maybe you are mentally planning dinner.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Unconscious Behaviour
The unconscious mind is the repository for
thoughts, feelings, and memories of which a
person is not consciously aware.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Unconscious Behaviour examples
Events include suppressed feelings, auto reactions,
complexes, and concealed phobias. Historically,
feelings, thoughts, and responses that are outside
of a human’s consciousness were attributed to a
divine’s role in dictating a motive or action.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Simple Behavior
That involves only few neurons.
Simple Behavior Example
Different assignments of one course

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Complex Behaviour
• Complicated and involves more number of
neurons.
Complex Behaviour Example
Different assignment of different courses.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Rational Behavior
• Exercised with sanity or reason.
• Rational behavior is the underlying
assumption that individuals make decisions
that provide the highest amount of benefit
and satisfaction. An individual who exhibits
rational behavior uses all available
information, evaluates each information by
its costs and benefits, and takes sufficient
time to make a utility-maximizing decision.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Rational Behavior Example
• John is invited by his company to attend a
Christmas party. However, he is introverted
and is reluctant to attend for fear of acting or
saying the wrong things in front of his co-
workers in a social setting. Despite not wanting
to go, John ultimately decides to attend.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Irrational Behavior
Committed for no apparent reason or explanation.
Irrational Behavior Example
Irrational behaviors of individuals include taking
offense or becoming angry about a situation that
has not yet occurred, expressing emotions
exaggeratedly (such as crying hysterically),
maintaining unrealistic expectations, engaging in
irresponsible conduct such as problem
intoxication, disorganization, and falling.

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Voluntary Behavior
Done with full volition, will and control
Voluntary movements are those movements
that are potentially under conscious control.
Voluntary Behavior Example
Hobbies and interest

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Defining Psychology

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 Defining Psychology
Classification of Behavior
Involuntary Behavior
Involuntary Processes within our body that go even while we asleep or
awake without our control and manipulation.
Involuntary Behavior Example
Breathing, Digestion, Heart beating
 Books for Reading
• Cacioppo, J. T., Freberg, L., & Cacioppo, S. (2021). Discovering
psychology: The science of mind. Cengage learning.
• Weiner, I. B., & Freedheim, D. K. (2003). Handbook of psychology:
volume 1 History of psychology.
• Rathus, S. A. (2016). PSYCH 5, Introductory Psychology. Cengage
Learning.

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