General psychology is a science that is interesting for both a psychologist and a lawyer, a sociologist. Faced with her and representatives of several other professions. She studies the patterns of development of human consciousness, the formation of internal processes, mental states, personality traits and so on. Moreover, as in any other science, the foundations of general psychology include not only theoretical basic knowledge, but also numerous studies by scientists. The existence of this industry is impossible without the study of methods, functions, as well as the basic terminological apparatus.
Subject of science
General and social psychology necessarily have their own subject. So, the main focus is on the following factors:
- mental activity;
- memory;
- character;
- thinking;
- temperament;
- emotions
- perception;
- sensations and so on.
These phenomena are considered in close interconnection not only with human life, but also with the activity of the entire surrounding world. When studying this issue, much attention must be paid to the identity of a person in a particular ethnic group, and to take into account the historical background of its formation. Numerous cognitive processes occurring inside a person are also subject to study. A special area of psychology is interpersonal relationships in social groups of various numbers.
Training course
General psychology is a general theoretical science. It is closely intertwined with pedagogy, sociology, art history, philosophy, linguistics and so on. An introduction to general psychology begins with numerous studies. Thanks to them, this science does not stand still and brings significant benefits to society.
A complete theoretical course includes general psychology. Topics are divided into certain sections: introduction, general concepts, historical perspective, methods, principles, system, special part, foreign experience and so on. A special role in psychology is played by practice, which shows the results of pedagogical and practical psychological work.
General Psychology Methods
In this science, there are a huge number of methods. Each of them is widely used in practice. General psychology is the pinnacle of all psychological branches. The main difference from other areas is that specific methods are used here. For example, as a fundamental base are used:
- Observation.
- Experiment.
- Conversation.
- Questioning and so on.
We will talk about each in more detail later.
General characteristics of the observation method
The author of many textbooks by the name of Maklakov tells in particular about research methods. General psychology includes such a method as observation, which is rightfully considered the most ancient way of cognition. Its simplest and most famous form is worldly life and worldly observation. Even if you pay attention to yourself, you will notice that you are using this psychological method day after day. The following types of observation are distinguished:
- Short-term and long-term, which can occur for several years.
- Selective.
- Solid and special. In the latter case, the observer himself plunges into the atmosphere being studied.
Each observation consists of several stages:
1. Mandatory setting of a specific goal and a number of tasks that help to achieve the expected results.
2. The selection of a specific subject, object of study, situation.
3. Determination of a number of methods that have a minimal effect on the object under study.
4. Determination of the form of consolidation and data processing.
It is believed that external observation has greater objectivity, since the consolidation of the results is carried out by an outsider. This method is also divided into direct and indirect. Separately, such a species as self-observation stands out. This method is effective only in interaction with experiment and conversation.
Conversation as one of the most important scientific methods
General psychology is a multifaceted science. That is why one method has a huge number of different applications in practice.
The most important thing in psychology is conversation. It is a direct or indirect collection of information about the person interviewed. The information received can be recorded both in writing and orally. Due to the subsequent processing of the information received, conclusions are drawn through a thorough analysis.
Conversations are also divided according to the nature of the conversation. So, they single out the collection of information about a person, interviewing, when a person answers a pre-prepared list of questions, a survey and a questionnaire. All of the above types have distinctive features, for example, when questioning, the interlocutor answers in writing.
As practice shows, the most effective method of collecting data is a personal conversation between the researcher and the subject. An atmosphere of trust is created, thanks to which the interlocutors feel comfortable and at ease. In order to collect the maximum amount of information, those who conduct the survey must carefully prepare. First, make a conversation plan and identify all the problems whose solution it is important to find.
A conversation involves not only giving answers in a certain form, but also questions from the person being examined. As practice shows, the most complete information can be obtained as a result of a bilateral conversation.
Experiment as a psychological method
Maklakov tells in detail about this research method, “General Psychology” is one of his most worthy creations, where all the questions and the nuances of conducting are described in detail.
An experiment is called active intervention in the life and activity of the person being examined. Moreover, both the experimenter himself and the person who agreed in advance with him can do this. In the process of the method used, certain conditions are created. The result of the experiment is a certain behavior or actions of the test subject in the created situation.
This method is also divided into several types. The most popular is a laboratory experiment. It proceeds in special, specially created conditions. A prerequisite is the use of specific equipment. All actions are controlled by predetermined regulations. A distinctive feature of this type is that the subject is aware that an experiment is currently underway. Of course, he does not know for what purpose the conditions are being created, but this fact can correct his behavior. And this already noticeably affects the reliability of the data.
Some experiments can be carried out once, others repeatedly. In addition, some are designed to produce results through analysis of the behavior of a particular person, while others are groups of people.
Tests
General psychology talks a lot about tests. The textbook of any author contains information about this type of method. Tests are a certain test, which allows you to establish a specific personality a certain set of qualities and character traits. They are short-term and identical for all tasks. Tests can be collected as soon as the subject is ready, and after a certain period of time. In addition, according to the results of the study, it is concluded that there are certain personal qualities and properties, the level of development of the individual.
Tests are used by psychologists in order to establish a forecast for the future, to predict the behavior of the individual. In addition, thanks to such work, employees of institutions make diagnoses. All tests should be properly designed, as well as reflect the essence of the results. Each question should pursue a specific goal (for example, to find out the level of personality development in the curriculum or to form a criminal psychological portrait of a criminal and so on) and have a scientific justification. Reliability and accuracy are another quality required for testing.
The specificity of the genetic method
The subject of general psychology is inextricably linked with the genetic method and the genetic principle. Its essence lies in the need to study a specific personality in order to determine general scientific laws. The reflection of this method can be traced both during observation and during the experiment.
The object of general psychology
An object is a necessary condition for the existence of every science. It is important to distinguish it from the subject, because this is a certain industry, the scientific aspect, which is to some extent affected by the researcher. As for the subject, it represents more specific areas of activity that are covered in science.
The object of general psychology is the psyche of the whole of humanity as a whole, as well as of a specific person, individual. This concept is considered as one of the forms of interaction of creatures with the outside world. After all, it is the psyche that gives the ability to translate into reality your thoughts, behavior, decisions, motives, and so on. Moreover, any information that is perceived by man is the basis of its functioning. The psyche allows you to get an idea of the mental and physical, of the internal and the external, which is described in detail by general psychology. The textbook on this discipline also gives the concept of the subject of science, which was described earlier.
Types of subject
The scale of the subject of this science provides a basis for dividing it into several types:
- Processes, that is, those phenomena that result in thoughts, feelings and so on.
- States - a certain form of perception of the world: cheerfulness, depression and so on.
- Properties are certain qualities of a person that make him individual in a psychological sense (industriousness, determination, and so on).
- Neoplasms - skills, knowledge that a person acquires as a result of training, experience and so on.
Each of the above areas of the subject cannot be considered separately, since all issues are interconnected.
Social Psychology
Today, the most popular and relevant branch of general psychology is social psychology. This science studies the features of human behavior and the activities of a particular person in society. The origins of science were laid in the second half of the 19th century.
This discipline is a fusion of psychology and sociology. Before she began a separate existence, for many years, data was collected about a person, his psychology and society. The initial sources are in philosophy, anthropology, linguistics, ethnography and so on. Hegel, Feuerbach and other scientists are the most prominent figures in the world of social psychology.