This document discusses the definition and evolution of psychology. It provides several definitions of psychology from different perspectives over time: 1) Originally, psychology was defined as the science of the soul by Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. 2) In the 18th-19th centuries, psychology was defined as the science of the mind, with thinkers like Descartes and Kant substituting "mind" for "soul". 3) In the late 19th century, psychologists like William James defined it as the science of consciousness, focusing on sensory experiences. 4) In the early 20th century, with theorists like Watson and Skinner, psychology became defined as the science of observable human behavior.

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Psychology – Meaning and
Definition
Suresh Babu G
Assistant Professor

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Psychology
• The word Psychology was used
for the first time in 1950 by
Rudolf Gockel, the German
scholastic philosopher.
• Etymologically the term has its
origin from two Greek words –
Psyche (Soul) and Logos
(science).
• Thus psychology means
science of soul.

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Meaning of Psychology
• The Oxford Dictionary defines psychology as the
study of the mind and how it works.
• The scientific Encyclopedia describes the term
psychology as the science dealing with the mind
and mental process, feelings, emotions, desires
and personality traits.

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Definitions of Psychology
• According to Crow and Crow, psychology is the
study of human behaviour and human
relationships.
• Skinner Considers psychology as the science of
behaviour and experience.
• According to Woodworth and Marquis,
Psychology is the scientific study of the activities
of the individual in relation to his environment.

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Evolution of the Concept
of Psychology
Four distinct phases can be seen in the evolution of
the concept of psychology.
• Phase I – Psychology as the science of soul :
Greek philosophers like Democritus, Plato and
Aristotle interpreted psychology as the study of
soul. According to them the function of
psychology was to study the nature, origin and
destiny of the human soul.
• But it was rejected by later psychologists because
they failed to establish the existence of soul due
to its metaphysical nature

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• Phase II – Psychology as the science of mind:
At 18th and the beginning of 19th century,
Descartes, Kant, Locke, Hobbes etc substituted
soul with mind and psychology was called as a
science of mind.
• The nature of the mind was taken in different
ways by different psychologists and this led to
confusion and hence this definition was also
rejected.
Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

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• Phase III – Psychology as the science of
Consciousness : In later 19th century,
Psychologists like William James, Wilhelm
Wundt. etc become aware of the importance of
sensory experiences in mental activities and
defined psychology as the science of
Consciousness.
• This definition was also rejected because
consciousness is only a negligible portion of
total personality , not considering subconscious
and unconscious activities of mind.
Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

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• Phase IV – Psychology as the
Science of Behaviour : In the
beginning of the 20th century
psychologists like Watson,
Skinner, Tolman etc give
importance to studies man’s
observable actions (behaviour) in
psychological , so stated
psychology as the science of
human behaviour.
Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

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• The first definition of psychology in terms of
behaviour was given by Pillsbury who defined
psychology as the science of human behaviour.
• To sum up Woodworth stated that First
psychology lost its soul, then its mind, then lost
its consciousness. It still has behaviour of a sort.
Evolution of the Concept of Psychology

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Nature of Psychology
• Psychology is scientific
• It is a experimental science
• Its method is scientific
• It is factual
• It has a theoretical base
• It is positive science

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• It is not a perfect science
• It has functional aspects in form
of various branches
• It emphasizes the search for truth
• The laws of psychology are
universal
Nature of Psychology

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Functions of Psychology
• To understand human behaviour
• To identify factors that in influence behaviour
• To understand individual difference
• To understand the causes of crimes and their
cures
• To treat mental illness
• To provide effective education
• To understand oneself and others

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