What is Psychology

What is Psychology, from Class 11 Psychology, Psychology, and the NCERT curriculum, introduces students to psychology as the scientific study of mental processes, experiences, and behaviour. The chapter explains how psychology seeks to understand human thoughts, feelings, actions, and consciousness while examining the relationship between the mind, brain, and behaviour. Students learn that psychology is both a natural science and a social science, using scientific methods to study individuals within biological, social, and cultural contexts.
 

The chapter traces the evolution of psychology from philosophical roots to modern scientific approaches. It explores major schools of thought including structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, behaviourism, psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology, and cognitive psychology. Students also learn about important psychologists such as Wilhelm Wundt, William James, Sigmund Freud, John Watson, B.F. Skinner, Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow, Jean Piaget, and Lev Vygotsky. The development of psychology in India, its indigenous traditions, and its growth as a modern discipline are also discussed.
 

This chapter further introduces the major branches of psychology, including cognitive, biological, developmental, social, clinical, counselling, educational, health, environmental, industrial-organisational, and sports psychology. It highlights psychology’s connections with philosophy, medicine, sociology, economics, law, computer science, education, and communication while demonstrating its practical value in everyday life. By studying this chapter, learners develop self-awareness, critical thinking, decision-making, interpersonal understanding, and an appreciation of how psychological principles contribute to personal well-being and social development.