The word «psychology» is derived from the Greek word meaning «study of
the soul». Psychology as a science studies mental activity and human behaviour.
Psychologists study basic functions such as learning, memory, language,
thinking, emotions and motives. They are involved in mental and physical
health care.
Psychology is closely connected with many sciences such as sociology and biology.
There are three stages of
developing psychology: prescientific, philosophical and scientific. Psychology achieved scientific status when it became experimental.
The formal launching of psychology as a separate science occurred in
1879 when Wilhelm Wundt opened his Psychological Institute at the University of
Leipzig. Scientific psychology at first employed methods of research of natural
sciences. Very soon, however, psychologists found new problems and devised
procedures of their own.
There are a lot of fields in modern psychology. Modern society is
turning more and more to psychology to deal with serious human problems.
Psychologists can be found in labs doing research, in schools, in
organizations, advertising, government and law enforcement agencies and just
about any place one can think of. Psychologists work with business executives,
performers, and athletes to reduce stress and improve performance.
