Making you think

Unit 1. What is psychology?

The study of every discipline, psychology being no exception, begins with identifying its subject matter and its place in the system of related disciplines. Having studied psychology for quite a while now, you must be able to give answers to the following questions.

Task 1. [in groups of 3-4]

Read and translate into Russian the following definitions of psychology which are taken from different textbooks and dictionaries of psychology. As soon as you make sure you understand all the definitions discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each definition. Complete the appropriate columns of the chart below.

A	a) Psychology is the study of the mind. b) Psychology is the study of behaviour. c) Psychology is the science dealing with the mind and mental processes. d) Psychology is the science of human and animal behaviour. e) Psychology is the sum of a person’s actions, traits, attitudes, thoughts, etc. f) Psychology is the study of the nature, functions, and phenomena of behaviour and mental experience. g) Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviours and mental processes. h) Psychology is the science that studies behaviours and the cognitive and physiological processes that underlie behaviours. i) Psychology is a profession that applies the knowledge of human behaviours to practical problems.
	Strengths	Weaknesses
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)

Using the chart you have completed choose the best definition. Present it to the other groups, accounting for your choice.

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