Man has been studying himself since the beginning of time. Curiosity was transformed into research, research turned into science. Physiology allows us to explain how this one functions in the opposite mirror. Anatomy shows what all these organisms fluttering in the waves of life consist of. However, these two sciences with one magnifier consider not only people, but also all living organisms. Would you like something unique, only for the most beautiful creatures of nature? Well, pleas were heard, and today on our lookout table is science, of which only you are important - psychology.
Psychology
Our mind, feelings and emotions remain a big mystery to scientists to this day. The goal of psychology is to dispel this fog and use clarity for good. After all, both chemical processes occurring every second in the body, and signals between neurons in the brain invariably accompany every instant of our life. On the issue of bulkiness and complexity, psychology is in no way inferior to its "colleagues" - anatomy and physiology. In this regard, it is reasonable to begin the analysis in detail, indicating the subject, purpose and objectives of psychology.
Subject of psychology
What are we talking about when using the concept of "psychology"? In general terms, it is clear, but I would like a little specificity. Yes, I would like, and not only to us, but also to scientists of different eras. The fact is that at different times different things were considered the global subject of the study of psychology. Not always "psychologists" were unanimous, but most went in a specific direction. The goal of the subject of psychology is to determine the specific path of research. Let's see how these items have changed over time.
Psychology development
Researchers until the 18th century considered the subject of study of the soul. Now it sounds strange, because the presence of a soul is confirmed only by dubious weighings. And how then can one study what may or may not be? Well, then there was little doubt about having a soul. All strange and incomprehensible phenomena of the human mind could be attributed to the soul. This is convenient, you do not have to strain with the classification.
Then the natural sciences develop, and the term "soul" begins to callus eyes. In its place comes "consciousness." This is the ability to think, to experience emotions. Such a term is now widely used. However, make it clear among psychologists that you are “studying consciousness” and try to dodge the object flying in you.
Closer to us, at the beginning of the 20th century, behavior becomes the subject of psychology. The scientific approach shines in the light of spotlights. No mythical “soul” or difficult to study “consciousness”. Only behavior, human reaction to external events. Psychology has become somewhat "squat", some romanticism has been lost. We can say that the circle narrowed and narrowed.
And so we come to the present time. Explanations of the principles of work and the mechanisms of the psyche appear. And thus, the psyche becomes a new subject of research. It is a broader topic than "consciousness", and includes more specifics, and of all the others it seems closest to modern science. And it is here that other animals, in addition to humans, truly become the object of research.
Object of psychology
Under the gaze of psychology our whole life appears, or rather, its sensual, shadow side. What do we feel at a certain point in time? Why do we feel this? How do we behave in a team and alone with ourselves? These issues are studied by psychology. However, this is not limited to, implying answers to this kind of "riddle" only as a tool. The goal of psychology in this aspect is the use of this tool for various needs. After all, let’s say, if you answer the question about the features of behavior in the team, it becomes possible to better and more efficiently organize the work of a group of people.
The slow progress of psychology is explained precisely by its object of research. Everyone’s heart beats according to one principle and does not depend on many circumstances. Yes, of course, there are congenital diseases, excitement, and other causes of variability in heart function. However, the principle remains unchanged. If we talk about human psychology, about the internal work of the mind, then it is different for each individual and depends on an infinite number of life situations.
One of the objects that we are most familiar with now is depression. Psychology studies this phenomenon thoroughly, and many theories are generated on this subject. But is the goal only to study depression? Of course no. The main goal of psychology is to prevent this condition, and this is possible only through thorough study.
Psychology Objectives
In a global sense, the goal in psychology is cognition of the psyche. The result itself is used for practical application. More often to organize the right conditions for a human hostel or work. Even if you recall the books from the category "Get rich by paying for this book." This is a psychology, albeit a popular one. The tasks set for psychology directly depend on the subject of research.
When the soul was considered the subject of psychology, then tasks were set based on this. Namely, it was necessary to study the issue of spiritual ascension and at the same time try not to anger the gods. The tasks covered such a vast area of ​​existence that it was impossible to draw any boundaries.
In the "era of consciousness" tasks have become more narrowly focused. It was precisely the sensuality of man that was studied. That is, what a person hears, feels, remembers, thinks about, and so on. Such phenomena are much easier to consider, because you can monitor, experiment and analyze them. With a soul, such "tricks", of course, will not work.
The task of psychology in the context of behavior explains itself. Draw conclusions based on observations of human actions. Moreover, it was taken into account the behavior that can be tracked, and the motives were not important. That is, it does not matter that you are rude to the old woman because you are upset by the imperfection of the world. Only the fact is important: you are rude.
Mental research sets the task of the most complete consideration of the causal relationship of human behavior. This takes into account the motives, and the actions themselves, and the characteristics of a particular representative. The dubious principles of the distant past are completely discarded as unnecessary and impossibility of rational explanation.
Psychology Methods
To solve the problems of psychology , a certain sequence of general methods is used. The purpose of the methods of psychology is to clearly outline the research process, thereby simplifying the subsequent analysis.
To begin with, the necessary information is collected, the object of study is analyzed. This, for example, direct observation, studying documents, conducting tests and the like. Further, these data are processed in a certain way, experiments are conducted. Based on these findings, a psychological picture is drawn up.
Generally speaking, it is necessary to divide psychology into general and applied. So, we will attribute to the general one: self-observation, observation, interrogation, conversation, testing. Practical methods: suggestion, consultation (often the border is very blurred).
Methods are subject to study. For example, “consciousness”, like “behavior”, is studied mainly through observation, self-observation and analysis of facts.
General psychology
General psychology is a theoretical and practical research. Considers the human psyche, regardless of extraneous factors. It is general psychology that studies methods and objects, generalizes concepts and involves experiments. In other words, this is the psychology over which scientists "puzzle" from ancient times to the present day. And we are talking about it in the vast majority of cases.
So, for example, we are talking specifically about the psychology of a person’s goal, and not about how to use this goal in life. That is, it implies general things that do not find specifics in the form of certain areas of life.
Applied Psychology
Applied Psychology is used to apply the principles and theories of general psychology in various areas of life. Education, marketing, military affairs and so on. Obviously, only the practical part is assumed. That is, the psychology of human goals and activities is used to organize life in a certain area. Most often, in order to improve the quality of functioning of this sphere itself.
As an example, various opinion polls can be presented, on the basis of which the purchasing power and popularity of a particular segment of goods are often calculated. Or, for example, you are sitting at an interview. Opposite you is an attentive and too curious HR manager. Does he follow every movement and writes something all the time? Be aware, such signs may indicate that he is an "applied psychologist."
Psychology and Philosophy
Philosophy is closely connected with general psychology. In fact, psychology was only a branch of philosophy until the mid-19th century. And even now there are questions that are being studied by one and the other discipline. For example, the purpose of life, moral values ​​and views on life are studied from two sides.
While psychology is more scientifically accurate, philosophy takes the most powerful blows. There are questions that cannot be answered experimentally or by research. This is where philosophy enters the scene. What is a sense of life? Is there life after death? What does it mean to be spiritual? How is it worth living? Wrap a couple, philosophy will do this, giving psychology additional space for maneuver. In general, they complement each other perfectly.