Nature of Psychology

To understand any person it is necessary to understand his nature.  To understand the subject, it is necessary to understand the nature of psychology. Form means how any subject studies its subject matter. What method is used for this? It is important to understand all this. Thus it is necessary to understand the nature of psychology as much as it is necessary to understand the person.

Each of the sciences and sciences can be divided into two divisions depending on the point of view used in their subject of study. Some scriptures use the word “should” to introduce their rules and principles. While other scriptures express their principles using the word “am” as their rules. Such sciences or sciences are known as natural or real sciences. In this sense, psychology has the form of a “real” science. Further clarification is given by the explanation of the following points.

(1) Psychology as “Science” :

Science means systematic knowledge.  Psychology is called a science because it collects objective facts about human behavior and systematically studies it through scientific methods like experiments and observation.  The laws that are formulated in psychology, as seen above, are not the result of self-centered thinking or whimsical ideas after the 16th century but have been tested on experimental studies and observational methods initiated by Wundt in the 19th century.  Each science collects data through a specific method and formulates rules. 

There are five steps to the methodology used in psychology.

1. Observation or experiment
2. Theorizing
3. Collection of data
4. Classification
5. Generalization and verification. 

The laws or principles of psychology go through these steps.  Generalizations about learning, memory, objectification, personality, intelligence, etc. are established based on scientific research.

(2) Psychology as a natural science:

As discussed above, the sciences can be divided into two main parts – (1) normative and (2) natural.

Idealistic sciences have ideals, ideals, or theories about how things should be presented.  Whereas the natural sciences describe how things “are”.  Natural sciences are descriptive. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc. are natural sciences. Their subject is not the codes or ideals of how human behavior “should be”. The ideals or principles of “how should behavior” is expressed in ethics. 

 Since psychology is a natural science, it deals with the factual study of “how human behavior is”. It deals with the actual study of various mental actions and behaviors of human beings. For example, psychology studies the mental and physical effects of alcohol.  Shouldn’t” That question does not touch psychology.

Although psychology is a natural science, its laws are not as precise as other natural sciences like physics, chemistry, etc.

(3) Psychology as a biological science:

Psychology is the science of behavior. The basic principle of behavior is biological. A complete knowledge or understanding of behavior is not possible without understanding the biological basis of behavior. 

A human being as a living being has certain anatomical, and physiological needs. His behavior and actions are within the limits of his anatomy and motivated by biological motivations. Our behavior is motivated by different needs. Those needs like hunger, thirst, sexuality, sleep, rest, etc. are universal in humans as well as animals. These essential needs for sustaining life and species are rooted in our biological roles. 

 Recognizing the importance of biological forces in human and animal behavior, John B.  The likes of Watson insisted on explaining psychology in terms of purely biological-physiological changes. Although Watson’s finalist point of view is not entirely acceptable, its importance is that biological bases cannot be neglected in the explanation of human behavior. Since psychology studies the biological basis of behavior, it is considered a biological science.

(4) Psychology as a Social Science:

Human behavior is not only based on biological factors. Like the fact that a human being is a living body, human beings are also a part of social order. We need to keep that in mind as well. As human beings, we live in certain types of social groups, social structures, institutions, and cultures.  It is as clear as a lamp that our behavior and practices are influenced by the impact of these social contexts. That is why we define man as saying, “Man is a social animal”, and “Man is a creation of social conditions.”  Since man develops in society, every aspect of his behavior is influenced by society, eg, hunger is motivated by biological means, but hunger is satisfied by social means And social factors affect it. Hence it is considered a biological social science.

Sociology, political science, ethics, anthropology, etc. are social sciences. As psychology is a science of human behavior it is a social science, But the field of psychology is much wider than social sciences.

(5) Psychology as an empirical science:

After rejecting the foundation of philosophy, modern experimental psychology has no place for wavelet imaginations or speculations. Since psychology is based on facts, it is called an empirical science. The field of psychology does not include anything beyond experience. All theories of psychology are based on human experience and facts. Facts about human behavior are obtained through observation and experimentation. Psychology makes generalizations based on it.

(6) Psychology as an experimental science:

Because psychology uses the experimental method, it gained its independent status as a science after Wundt’s efforts.  Not only this, modern psychology is considered an experimental science in modern countries as it relies on experimental research and other experimental methods. In the study of psychology, experiments are done on various subjects.  E.g.  Learning, memory, consideration, sensation, realization. A lot of experimental research has been done on problem-solving etc.

Statistical methods are widely used to interpret and analyze results in modern psychology experiments. The use of statistical methods and measurement methods is characteristic of modern psychology.

(7) Psychology as an individualistic science:

Among the various sciences that study human life and human behavior, psychology has a somewhat special place.  The main study subject of psychology is human behavior. Every person has some hidden characteristics. Such personality traits influence a person’s behavior.  A true explanation of human behavior is achieved only when the individual differences in each individual are taken into account.  Characteristics in a person can be known through various measuring tests. So psychology can also be known as subjective psychology.