To different disciplines

Application of Psychology
to Different Disciplines
4.2
PSYCHOLOGY AND THE SOCIAL/
BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
Behaviour mostly takes place in the context of social setting and in relation to
other people. Different social/behavioural scientists emphasise on one or the
other aspects of social life. However, psychology extensively studies behaviour.
As you already know, human behaviour is determined by many factors, and one
can explain behaviour from various viewpoints. That is why interest of psychology
overlaps with that of some other social/behavioural sciences. Thus the relevance
of other social/behavioural sciences to psychology is obvious.
Parameswaran & Beena (2002) have described the relationship of psychology
with behavioural sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, medical sciences
as well as, with some other disciplines. Given below is the description of
psychology with some of the disciplines of social sciences.
Anthropology is supposed to be the mother of all social/behavioural sciences. It
is interested in the study of culture, customs, ritual and practices of different
distinct groups of people and understand the variations among them. Many
anthropologists have contributed to our understanding of the various factors which
explain the homogeneity or similarity of behaviour among members of a particular
group and also how such groups differ from each other. Researches in
anthropology have thrown light on why people of a particular community or
even whole nation behave as they do. Psychology is enriched by such findings.
Psychological theories have also contributed to our understanding of the origin
of culture, customs, religious practices etc. Psychoanalysts like Freud, Jung and
others have made notable/significant contributions in this regard. Thus, there is
a reciprocal relationship between anthropology and psychology. In fact,
psychoanalytic anthropology and psychological anthropology attempt to explain
the origin of all customs, cultures and practices on the basis of psychological
factors.
Sociology is another major social science, which is mainly concerned with social
organisations of societies into family groups, kinship groups, caste groups, nation
groups etc. Sociologists study variations in these group formations among
different societies and also try to analyse their roles in social life. It is a well
known fact that these factors influence behaviour.
The structure of the family, caste groups, class groups etc. influence human
behaviour. To this extent, psychologists must understand the roles of these factors
in influencing behaviour. Sociological researches have contributed a lot to the
field of psychology. This is particularly so in understanding the behaviour of
groups of people and organisations and also in understanding the impact of groups,
group standards, group expectations etc., on behaviour.
Social psychology, organisational psychology and group dynamics are branches
of psychology, which are very closely connected with sociology. In fact, the first
book in social psychology was written by a sociologist and a psychologist. The
psychologists, while studying the development of behaviour from infancy
onwards, have to analyze the role of society and social customs on the
development of social behaviour. Sociologists like Durkheim, Parsons, Bales
and others have made important contributions to the development of psychology.

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