General notion of psychology as a science

Psychology is assigned to a special part in the system of sciences.

First, it is assumed that the psychology studies the most complicated field of science known to the mankind, since psychics is the virtues of a highly integral matter. Aristotelian also considered that the priority should be given to the study of the human soul among researches “in the other fields of knowledge”. Since it is the knowledge about the high elevation and amazement of the human souls. “About the soul” is the name of his treatise.

Second, the science of Psychology occupies a special place since it merges the subject and the object. Before the human reflection was preoccupied with the cognition of the universe but now it is reversed to the inner world of the human being. The human being with the help of the cognition begins to study the reflections of souls.

Third, besides, there is a special feature in the psychology which presents unique practical means of application. To learn how to control your own psycho effects, functions, abilities is the task which is more grandiosity than the navigations in the space. It is noted that while the human being is studying his soul, the human being will be transforming his own being.

The science of psychology is not only the science which studies the human being, but it also participates in construction and creation of the mentality of human beings.

Psychology is rather young science. Psychology as science became established more than 100 years ago.

In 1879 Mr. Wundt, German psychologist opened the center laboratory which was the first scientific establishment in the field of experimental psychology.

 

MODERN PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is the science of mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand behavior and mental processes by researching and establishing both general principles and specific cases. For many practitioners, one goal of applied psychology is to benefit society. In this field, a professional practitioner or researcher is called a psychologist, and can be classified as a social scientist, behavioral scientist, or cognitive scientist. Psychologists attempt to understand the role of mental functions in individual and social behavior, while also exploring the physiological and neurobiological processes that underlie certain functions and behaviors.

Psychologists explore such concepts as perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology, motivation, brain functioning, personality, behavior, and interpersonal relationships. Some, especially depth psychologists, also consider the unconscious mind. Psychologists employ empirical methods to infer causal and correlational relationships between psychosocial variables. In addition, or in opposition, to employing empirical and deductive methods, some – especially clinical and counseling psychologists – at times rely upon symbolic interpretation and other inductive techniques. Psychology incorporates research from the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities, such as philosophy.

While psychological knowledge is typically applied to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, it is also applied to understanding and solving problems in many different spheres of human activity. Although the majority of psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role (clinical, counseling, and school positions); many do scientific research on a wide range of topics related to mental processes and social behavior (typically in university psychology departments) and/or teach such knowledge in academic settings; and some are employed in industrial and organizational settings, and in other areas such as human development and aging, sports, health, the media, law, and forensics.

 

Exercises

1. Answer the following questions.

1. What does psychology study?

2. How did Aristotelian consider the science?

3. What is the second notion of psychology?

4. What is the third one?

5. What else does psychology study?

6. Psychology is rather young science, isn’t it? When did it appear?

7. Who opened the first psychological laboratory?

8. How can you describe modern psychology?

9. What famous psychologists do you know?

 

2. Find the definitions to the following terms:

psychology, behavior, perception, cognition, attention, emotion, phenomenology, motivation, brain functioning, personality, interpersonal relationships.

 

3. Translate the following sentences into Russian.

1. Backwardness is not usual and normal process.

2. Prophylactics is an action, serving to protect from disease.

3. Experiment is a test, carried out carefully in order to study what happens and gain new knowledge.

4. Soul is non-material part of a person, believed to exist for ever.

5. Apathy is absence of sympathy or interest.

6. Neurology is the branch of medical science that is concerned with nerves.

7. Brain is the mass of soft grey matter in the head.

8. Conduct is the manner of directing affairs.

 

4. Match the words from column A with the words from column B:

1) Madness	a) observing or being observed
2) Perception	b) power of keeping facts in the mind and of being able to call them back at will
3) Observation	c) power of the mind to imagine
4) Memory	d) being less tense
5) Imagination	e) sadness, low spirits
6) Relaxation	f) process by which we become aware of changes
7) Melancholy	h) the state of being mad

UNIT 13. ABOUT MY INSTITUTE

OUR INSTITUTE

Hello again! This is Sveta Smirnova and this time I’ll tell you about my Institute and my studies.

I am very happy that I study here. It is one of the finest Republic’s higher educational institutions. Many famous people have graduated from my Institute, and not only teachers or scientists, but many outstanding writers, actors, and politicians. Studying at our Institute gives a solid background in all spheres of knowledge and prepares for practical work.

Our Institute is quite large but not very old, compare to other national institutions. It was founded in the middle of the 20^th century. It was established in 1962 and ten years later it was named after a famous Mordovian scientist M.E. Evsevyev. It became the largest Institute in the region and it gave birth to various specialities. Nowadays it is a large school where more than 6 000 students are currently enrolled. The majority are full-time students, like me, and the rest are part time-students. There are also a lot of graduate students – aspirants and doctorants. They conduct independent research work and have pedagogical practice.

The course of study at my Institute lasts five years. There are many faculties at my Institute. Here are some of them: the faculty of Physics and Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology, History and Law, Philology and Foreign languages, the Faculty of Physical Education, Pedagogical Faculty and, of course, the faculty of Psychology, where I currently study.

Our Institute is large and we have several buildings. There are many large halls there so that students of 3-4 groups together can fit in there. And that is more than 100 people. The acoustics in such large halls is very good but sometimes it is very noisy when students chat during the lecture.

Each faculty has its own library, several computer classes, gyms, and other facilities. Many students from my group want to do their own research work in the future and these facilities will certainly help them.

There are several cafes at the Institute. My favourite one is situated in our building. The food there is tasty and very affordable.

There are also several dormitories or hostel buildings where students from other cities or countries live. But you know already that I don’t live in a dormitory. I live with my parents.

 

Vocabulary Bank

solid background	твердая база, основание
currently	в настоящее время
to be enrolled	числиться в списках студентов
full-time students	студенты дневного отделения
part-time students	студенты заочного отделения
to conduct	проводить
course of study	курс обучения
to chat	беседовать, болтать
facilities	службы, помещения
research work	исследовательская работа
tasty	вкусный
affordable	доступный
afford	позволять
noisy	шумный

Exercises

1. Describe the following. Be as specific as possible:

a) your secondary school (college);

b) the faculty of your university;

c) your favourite teacher at school.

 

2. Do you know?

1. When was your Institute established?

2. Who was its first rector?

3. Were there any famous a) scientists, engineers b) politicians c) artists among the graduates?

4. How many people are currently enrolled?

5. What is the most popular faculty in your Institute?

 

3. Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

1. Larger schools are better than smaller ones.

2. It is impossible to enter the university if you haven’t attended preparatory courses.

3. The best professors are the oldest ones.

4. It is more fun to live in a dormitory or student hostel than to rent an apartment.

5. Professors always know more than students and teaching instructors.