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📘 Unit 1 – Introduction to Psychology

Welcome, explorer of the mind 🧠!
This first unit sets the stage for everything else. Let’s walk through the roots, goals, and methods of psychology like detectives uncovering the secrets of behavior.

🌱 Meaning & Definition​

Psychology = scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

  • “Psyche” = soul/mind, “Logos” = study.
  • First psychology lab: Wilhelm Wundt, 1879, Leipzig (Germany).
Quick Hindi Recap

Psychology = vyavhar aur mansik prakriyaon ka vigyaan.
1879 mein Wilhelm Wundt ne Leipzig (Germany) mein pehli lab sthapit ki.

🏛 Origins​

  • Greek roots: Psyche + Logos.
  • Early psychology = mind; modern psychology = mind + behavior.
  • Wundt (1879) = “Father of modern psychology.”

📖 Key Definitions​

AuthorDefinition
Morgan (1986)Science of human & animal behavior
Feldman (1996)Study of behavior and mental processes
Baron (1999)Science of behavior & cognitive processes

🎯 Four Major Goals​

🔬 Psychology as a Science

Core features of science:

Objectivity – no bias.

Experimentation – controlled testing.

Replicability – repeatable results.

Verifiability – results can be checked.

🧑‍🔬 Steps in Scientific Method

✨ Unit I Recap

Psychology = study of behavior & mental processes.

Wundt founded first psychology lab in 1879.

Goals = Description, Explanation, Prediction, Control.

Psychology is a science → Objectivity, Experimentation, Replicability, Verifiability.

Scientific Method = Question → Hypothesis → Test → Conclusion → Report.

Think of psychology as a compass 🧭 — it helps us describe, explain, predict, and sometimes even control human behavior.