Introduction to Psychology

We are naturally inclined to think and ask ourselves: why do we study psychology? What importance does it hold for life? Does it help make crucial life decisions and solve complex problems? Will it give rise to better human beings and citizens? And last but not the least, are we able to improve moral standards and purify our souls?

To answer these questions, we are required to focus attention on principles leading to human actions, thoughts, feelings, emotions, attitudes, etc. A study of psychology takes us directly into the realm of these ingredients of human behavior and provides a rational basis for understanding others and ourselves. In fact, psychology is much more than mere understanding of human behavior. Psychology develops the ability to apply its principles on others and ourselves in the day to day dealings with them.

In addition to the behavior of others, we need to understand and even to influence, our own behavior. From time to time, all of us behave in an unexpected and even harmful way. We may waste time, we may work too hard to injure all round development, and we may even develop the symptoms of emotional disturbance.

Of course, we may also behave admirably. We may work hard and achieve worthwhile goal, or we may spend time and energy in helping a good cause. At time, we may be truly outstanding in what we do and receive the praise of others. One of our problems is the understanding why we behave the way we do.

Finally, it must be noted that some of our interest in understanding the actions of human beings comes from curiosity and not from the possible usefulness of such knowledge. Thus, it is easy to understand why interest in psychology has been increasing. Psychology shares some of the popularity of modern science; it helps satisfy our curiosity about why people behave as they do, and it supplies us with valuable information for dealing with our follows and us.