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V. Read the text “What is psychology?” and answer this question. What is psychology?

Scientific study is a particular form of analysis. It is the search for regularity, form and order in nature. The focus of the science of psychology is the human being. A human being is at once a biological organism, a social organism, and an organism with a mind. (The word psychology comes from the Greek root psyche, meaning breath, soul and mind). The first two elements – biological and social – are measurable; but the third element, the mind is not. The mind is precisely what makes psychology unique and problematical. Psychologists today take the mind seriously.

Some psychologists have tried to avoid speaking about the mind or any internal states or events (thoughts and feelings). They have thought that it is more scientific to investigate only that which can be externally observed and measured. The mysterious mind does not satisfy this requirement. However, such an extreme position is less common now than it once was. That is because psychology today is much more convinced that inner states are important and essential subjects of study.

Psychology attempts to explain, predict and control what may appear inexplicable and unpredictable. Taken together, the varied questions, potential answers, problems, levels and points of view about human nature and about the nature of scientific inquiry, make up psychology – a rich, diverse, fascinating and surprisingly young field. The modern scientists define psychology as the scientific study of mental processes and behavior.

VI. Finish the sentences.

1. Scientific study is a particular form of …

a) mind b) analysis c) inner state.

2. The focus of the science of psychology is the…

a) animals b) machines and tools c) human beings.

3. Some psychologists have tried to avoid speaking about the…

a) soul b) body c) mind.

4. Psychology attempts to explain, predict and … what may appear inexplicable and unpredictable.

a) control b) measure c) estimate.

5. Psychology is defined as the scientific study of …

a) mental processes b) behavior c) mind.

VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements.

1. Scientific study is the search for regularity, form and order in nature.

2. A human being is only a biological organism.

3. The word psychology comes from Roman root psyche.

4. The biological and social elements in the human being are not measurable.

5. The mind is what makes psychology unique and problematical.

6. Psychology today is much more convinced that inner states are not important and essential subjects of study.

7. Psychology is a poor, boring and an old field of study.

8. Psychology is defined as the scientific study of mental processes only.

VII. Answer the following questions.

1. What is psychology?

2. What is a scientific study?

3. What is the focus of the science of psychology?

4. Is a human being a biological or a social organism?

5. What makes psychology unique?

6. Why have psychologists tried to avoid speaking about any internal states?