What is Psychology? (Chapter 1) Psychology is derived from 2 Greek words Psyche (soul) and logos (science/study). Psychology is defined formally as a science which studies mental processes, experiences and behaviour in different contexts. Internal experiences refer to states of consciousness or awareness or mental processes. Experiences are influenced by internal and external conditions of the experiences. Behaviours are responses or reactions that are activities we engage in. Behaviour may be simple or complex, short or enduring, overt, sensed by observer, internal or covered. Psychology as a Discipline Psychology studies behaviour, experience and mental processes. In Indian tradition, self-reflection and analysis of our conscious experiences, is major source of psychological understanding. Western psychologists begun to emphasis the role of self-reflection and self-knowledge in understanding human behaviour and experience. First laboratory of psychology in 1879 i