Page 5 - History of Psychology

Chapter

Introduction of 1

Psychology

Human from The Perspective of Psychology

Psychology literally means the study of the soul or mind. Psychology then
developed into a science that studies humans. Various scientific methods were
carried out, such as experimental which was able to show the relationship
between environmental stimuli and behavior. There is also scientific psychology
that tries to determine the biochemical correlation of memory and cognitive
processes. Meanwhile, other scientists are also trying to understand and explore
the origin of human behavior.

Scientifically oriented psychologists assume determinism when studying humans.
Biological determinism emphasizes the importance of physiological conditions or

genetic predispositions in explaining behavior. On the other hand, environmental
determinism emphasizes the importance of environmental stimuli in determining
human behavior. Sociocultural determinism, which is actually included in
environmental determinism, argues that rather than just physical stimuli, they
place more emphasis on cultural or societal rules, customs, rules and beliefs that
govern human behavior. So human behavior is caused by the interaction of
biological, environmental and socio-cultural influences. Although not all behavior
can be identified with certainty. Psychic determinism assumes that belief in free
will naturally leads to a belief in personal responsibility so that humans are
responsible for their actions.

Humans are thought to consist of mind and body. Both interact with what is called
interactionism. This means that the mind affects the body and vice versa the body
affects the mind. Decrates thought that the mind was capable of initiating
behavior. Psychoanalysis Freud argued that many bodily ailments of a

psychogenic nature are caused by mental events such as anxiety, conflict and
frustration. The relationship of mind and body can also be explained through
emergentism, where mental states arise from brain states. Once mental events
arise from brain activity, they can affect brain activity and subsequently behavior.
There is also a view of psychophysical parallelism, which holds that environmental
experiences cause mental events and bodily responses simultaneously. So it can
be concluded that there is interaction and mutual influence in human behavior,
between mind and body.

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