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The Subject Psychology

ICSE · Class 11 · Psychology

Quick revision notes for The Subject Psychology — ICSE Class 11 Psychology. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

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Key Topics to Revise

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1.1 Definitions of Psychology

  • The word 'Psychology' comes from two Greek words: 'psyche' (soul/mind) and 'logos' (science). So, etymologically, Psychology means 'science of the mind'.
  • Aristotle defined Psychology as the 'science of soul'.
  • Rene Descartes defined it as the 'science of consciousness'.
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1.2 Nature of Psychology

  • Psychology is a scientific body of knowledge that emphasises the search for truth.
  • It uses scientific inquiry, objective and systematic observation and investigation.
  • It believes in cause-and-effect relationships.
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1.3 Historical Development of Psychology

  • Historical development of Psychology is divided into THREE phases: (1) Initial Age of Pre-Scientific Psychology, (2) New Age of Scientific Psychology, (3) Modern Approaches of Contemporary Psychology.
  • PRE-SCIENTIFIC PHASE: Early beliefs attributed behaviour to cosmic forces, supernatural factors, witchcraft and black magic. Greek philosophers (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) shifted focus to the inner
  • Rene Descartes (1596–1650) proposed Dualism – mind and body are separate but interact through the pineal gland.
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1.3.2 Schools of Thought in Scientific Psychology

  • STRUCTURALISM (Wundt and Titchener): First school of thought. Focused on identifying basic structures of mental processes. Used introspection. Wundt established first Psychology lab in 1879. Titchener
  • FUNCTIONALISM (William James and Angell): Focused on functions of consciousness and how the mind helps individuals adapt to the changing world. James said mind is continuously changing and active. Ang
  • GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY (Wertheimer, Koffka, Kohler – 1912): 'Gestalt' means 'form/configuration/organised whole'. Humans perceive objects as a whole, not just a collection of parts. 'The whole is differen

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Key Concepts

The scientific study of behavioral activitiesBehavior includes motor activities (walkingThe first school of psychologyA school of thought that opposedFounded by Max Wertheimer

Frequently Asked Questions

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