Diagram to illustrate the place of psychology among the sciences and humanities

Each of the subjects listed in the four groups has its own relationship with psychology. For example, knowledge of physics and chemistry is necessary to provide a scientific basis for experimental psychology. Psychology is also closely linked to sociology. But whereas sociologists direct their attention to groups, group processes, and social forces, social psychologists focus on group and social influences on individuals. Psychology and biology are also closely connected. Physiological psychologists investigate the role of the brain and the nervous system in such functions as memory, language, sleep, attention, movement, perception, hunger, anger and joy. On the other hand, psychologists took much from the theory of knowledge, logic and philosophy of science. Besides, psychology separated from philosophy.

The word «psychology» is derived from the Greek word meaning «study of the mind or soul». So in the definition of psychology there are three basic words: «science», «behaviour», «mental processes».«Science» means rational investigationof processes and phenomena. By «behaviour» psychologists mean everything that people and animals do: actions, emotions, ways of communication, developmental processes. «Mentalprocesses» characterize the work of the mind and the nervous system.

2. Study this table:

3. Answer the following questions:

1.What basic functions do psychologists study?

2. What position does psychology occupy among the sciences and humanities?

3.What basic words are there in the definition of psychology? What do they mean?

4. Why is there a great number of different specialists in the field of psychology?

5. Which group of psychology experts is the largest?

4. Give English equivalents for:

Память; мышление; естественные науки; гуманитарные науки; внимание; восприятие; определение; общение; лечить; оценивать; окружающая среда.

5.Give all possible derivatives of the following words:

psychology science relate

human perceive observe

6. Discuss the following questions:

1. Who or what influenced on your decision to take up psychology?

2. What psychology specialist would you like to be and why?

7. Develop the following situations making up dialogues:

1. You are going to enter the Psychology Faculty but your parents object. You

are trying to persuade them that psychology is one of the basic fields of knowledge.

2. Ask you friend if they know the differences in the specialities of a

psychologist, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst. If they don’t enlighten them.

3. You are interviewing a famous psychologist. What possible questions could

you ask about the development of psychology as a separate discipline.

8. Translate into English:

Слово «психология» образовано из двух греческих: “psyche”- душа и “Logos” – слово, учение. Оно имеет два значения: психология как наука и психология как совокупность особенностей характера, внутренний мир человека. Именно во втором смысле мы говорим о психологии того или иного человека, группы людей, даже животных, особенно наших домашних кошек и собак.

Такое понимание легло в основу житейской психологии, которая обобщает и закрепляет опыт многих поколений людей, наш собственный жизненный опыт. Она лежит в основе нашего представления об окружающих нас людях, о самих себе, о причине поступков, мотивах поведения, успехах и неудачах. Всякий человек, даже никогда специально не изучавший психологию, постоянно объясняет свои собственные поступки, слова и поведение других людей. И эти объяснения основываются на его представлениях о мотивах поведения, мыслях, чувствах, ощущениях, эмоциях. Без этого нормальная жизнь людей невозможна.

9. Speak on the following topic: “Psychology is my future profession.” Don’t forget to give information about yourself and your character. Say what or who influenced on your decision to become psychologist and what field of psychology you are going to major in.

UNIT 2

Не нашли, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском: