The ancient Greek philosophers inquired into how human
beings know the world This is known as epistemology (Greek words episteme means
knowledge and logos means discourse). If we trace the history of psychology, we
find that psychology emerged from merging of physiology, a branch of biology
(natural science) and the branch of philosophy, known as epistemology, or the
theory of knowledge. Thus, the conceptual foundations of psychology are found
in philosophy, but the creation of an independent science of psychology came
from biology. The early psychologists believed that psychology could be
developed through a systematic framework by conducting research in experimental
laboratories. Contribution by Darwin (theory of evolution), Newton
(conceptualization of physical laws), and Mendeleev (Periodic Table of
Elements) strengthened the systematic approach towards psychological research.
Thus, in the beginning, psychology was a synthesis of physics, physiology and
mental philosophy and the psychological research was restricted to
mind-body-physical relationships. Later, with the growth in the discipline,
social, cultural and interpersonal problems of human behavior were included. It
may be added here that the theoretical leanings of the psychologists, for
example physiological psychologists (focus of study is nervous and glandular
system) or social psychologists (concerned with social aspects of human
behaviour), is most important în understanding behaviour. There have been
different views as to whether psychology should a part of natural sciences or
social sciences. For psychology to be considered as a natural science, the main
assumptions are, natural monism (also known as reductionism.
where a theory or a phenomenon is reduced or
simplified to its simplest part), operationism (validity of the finding depends
on the validity of the procedures employed in arriving at that finding), and
determinism (all actions are subject to natural laws and must be explained in
terms of causative factors in individual's heredity and environment). For
psychology to be considered as a social science, the researcher uses
experiments, follows all precautions of scientific observation and control, and
interprets the results with the help of quantitative or statistical techniques.
Though, there are no assumptions in designing experiments or studies as well as
in interpreting data.
Psychology thus, studies human and animal behavior
very carefully, in a systematic manner. It is as objective in its evaluation as
any other field of science. It has an empirical approach. It gathers
information or data by doing experiments and observations, analyses, and
interprets data within a framework that maybe replicated and verified, rather
than relying on others opinions, beliefs or discussions.
The experiments that are conducted, have certain
variables that are controlled and are designed in such a way that if someone
else wants to repeat the study, they can do so. The data is collected very
systematically and quantified in order to understand the order of the events
that take place. Nowadays, qualitative approach has also gained importance. The
results obtained thus, contribute in developing certain theories that help to
predict behavior. Sometimes, theory also guides the research endeavor.
Nomothetic and Idiographic approach
It is an approach to describe the aims, procedures,
and theoretical orientation of psychologists. Psychologists with nomothetic
approach seek to establish general laws and principles governing mental and
behavioural processes, ignoring the individual. In this approach, a number of
participants are selected as being a representative sample of the population.
After data collection and analysis, inferences and generalizations are
carefully done from the experiment.
The idiographic approach is concerned with the
understanding of a particular individual or event. The inquiry is focused on
the person because this approach emphasizes that each individual is unique and
must be understood in terms of his or her psychosocial environment.
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