CHAPTER 1
, ✨THE PSYCHE EXPLORERS ✨
Class XI Notes :
CHAPTER 1
What is Psychology?
Psychology is defined formally as a science which studies mental
processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts.
● Mental Processes refer to our state of consciousness or
awareness when we think or try to solve a problem.
● Experiences are subjective in nature. We cannot directly
observe or know someone else’s experience. Experiences are
embedded in our awareness or consciousness.
● Behaviours are responses or reactions we make or activities we
engage in. For example, when something is hurled at you,
your eyes blink in simple reflex action. Behaviours may be
simple or complex, short or enduring. They are of two types:
overt or covert. Overt behaviours can be seen outwardly while
Covert behaviours are internal.
TO Remember:
1. Father of psychology : Wilhelm Wundt
2. 1879 : 1st laboratory of psychology - Leipzig
● PSYCHOLOGY AS SCIENCE & SOCIAL SCIENCE
“Psychology as a Science and Social Science" explores the dual
nature of psychology — how it uses scientific methods while also
studying human behavior in a social context.
As a science, it uses systematic and objective methods to study
behavior and mental processes. Psychologists form hypotheses,
conduct experiments, and analyze data to understand how the
,mind works. For example, they may study memory or perception
in controlled lab settings to find patterns and causes.
Psychology is a social science because it deals with human thoughts,
emotions, and actions in relation to society. It explores how culture,
environment, relationships, and social influences affect behavior.
For instance, psychologists study topics like peer pressure, group
dynamics, and communication in real-life situations.
● EVOLUTION OF PSYCHOLOGY - Schools of Thought
● Constructivism
Modern cognitive psychology views human beings as actively
constructing their minds through their exploration into the
physical and social world. This view is sometimes called
constructivism. Piaget’s view of child development is considered as
constructivist theory.
, ● BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Cognitive Psychology
investigates mental processes involved in acquisition, storage,
manipulation, and transformation of information received from
the environment along with its use and communication.
2. Biological Psychology
focuses on the relationship between behaviour and the physical
system, including the brain and the rest of the nervous system, the
immune system, and genetics.
3. Developmental Psychology
studies the physical, social and psychological changes that occur at
different ages and stages over a life-span, from conception to old
age. They focus on the biological, socio-cultural and environmental
factors that influence psychological characteristics such as
intelligence, cognition, emotion, temperament, morality, and social
relationship.
, ✨THE PSYCHE EXPLORERS ✨
Class XI Notes :
CHAPTER 1
What is Psychology?
Psychology is defined formally as a science which studies mental
processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts.
● Mental Processes refer to our state of consciousness or
awareness when we think or try to solve a problem.
● Experiences are subjective in nature. We cannot directly
observe or know someone else’s experience. Experiences are
embedded in our awareness or consciousness.
● Behaviours are responses or reactions we make or activities we
engage in. For example, when something is hurled at you,
your eyes blink in simple reflex action. Behaviours may be
simple or complex, short or enduring. They are of two types:
overt or covert. Overt behaviours can be seen outwardly while
Covert behaviours are internal.
TO Remember:
1. Father of psychology : Wilhelm Wundt
2. 1879 : 1st laboratory of psychology - Leipzig
● PSYCHOLOGY AS SCIENCE & SOCIAL SCIENCE
“Psychology as a Science and Social Science" explores the dual
nature of psychology — how it uses scientific methods while also
studying human behavior in a social context.
As a science, it uses systematic and objective methods to study
behavior and mental processes. Psychologists form hypotheses,
conduct experiments, and analyze data to understand how the
,mind works. For example, they may study memory or perception
in controlled lab settings to find patterns and causes.
Psychology is a social science because it deals with human thoughts,
emotions, and actions in relation to society. It explores how culture,
environment, relationships, and social influences affect behavior.
For instance, psychologists study topics like peer pressure, group
dynamics, and communication in real-life situations.
● EVOLUTION OF PSYCHOLOGY - Schools of Thought
● Constructivism
Modern cognitive psychology views human beings as actively
constructing their minds through their exploration into the
physical and social world. This view is sometimes called
constructivism. Piaget’s view of child development is considered as
constructivist theory.
, ● BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY
1. Cognitive Psychology
investigates mental processes involved in acquisition, storage,
manipulation, and transformation of information received from
the environment along with its use and communication.
2. Biological Psychology
focuses on the relationship between behaviour and the physical
system, including the brain and the rest of the nervous system, the
immune system, and genetics.
3. Developmental Psychology
studies the physical, social and psychological changes that occur at
different ages and stages over a life-span, from conception to old
age. They focus on the biological, socio-cultural and environmental
factors that influence psychological characteristics such as
intelligence, cognition, emotion, temperament, morality, and social
relationship.
