Psychology, its principles and meanings

2. Meanings of psychologyThe word psychology derives from Greek roots meaning study of the psyche, or soul (ψυχήpsukhē, "breath, spirit, soul" and -λογία-logia, "study of" or "research"). The Latin word psychologia was first used by the Croatian humanist and Latinist Marko Marulić in his book, Psichiologia de rationeanimaehumanae in the late 15th century or early 16th century. The earliest known reference to the word psychology in English was by Steven Blankaart in 1694 in The Physical Dictionary which refers to "Anatomy, which treats the Body, and Psychology, which treats of the Soul." In 1890, William James defined psychology as "the science of mental life, both of its phenomena and their conditions". This definition enjoyed widespread currency for decades. However, this meaning was contested, notably by radical behaviorists such as John Watson, who in his 1913 manifesto defined the discipline of psychology as the acquisition of information useful to the control of behavior. Also since James defined it, the term more strongly connotes techniques of scientific experimentation.ConclusionWhile psychological knowledge is often applied to the assessment and treatment of mental health problems, it is also directed towards understanding and solving problems in several spheres of human activity. By many accounts psychology ultimately aims to benefit society. The majority of psychologists are involved in some kind of therapeutic role, practicing in clinical, counseling, or school settings. Many do scientific research on a wide range of topics related to mental processes and behavior, and typically work in university psychology departments or teach in other academic settings (e.g., medical schools, hospitals). Some are employed in industrial and organizational settings, or in other areas such as human development and aging, sports, health, and the media, as well as in forensic investigation and other aspects of law.GlossaryPsychology is the study of mind and behavior. It is an academic discipline and an applied science which seeks to understand individuals and groups by establishing general principles and researching specific cases.Principles of psychology are the starting positions defining understanding of an essence and sources of human mentality, features of its formation, development, mechanisms of functioning and forms of manifestations, ways of approach to its studying and changing.ReferencesBoume, Lyle E.;Ekstrand, Bruce R. Psychology its Principles and Meanings. –NC: Holt McDougal, 1998.Hockenbury,Don H. & Hockenbury, Sandra E. Psychology. - Worth Publishers, 2010. Weiner, Irving B. Handbook of Psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2003.