Psychology' as the scientific study of activities of organism in relation to its Environment is defined by?

SJH Nursing Officer - 2019

Applied Psychology

Easy

Appeared in: SJH Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

Robert S. Woodworth, along with Marquis, defined psychology as 'the scientific study of activities of the individual in relation to his environment.'.
This definition uniquely emphasizes the 'activities of the organism,' which includes both overt behaviors and covert mental processes (like thinking and feeling).
His perspective is often summarized as the S-O-R (Stimulus-Organism-Response) model, highlighting that the organism's internal state is a critical factor in how it responds to environmental stimuli.
This view provided a bridge between strict behaviorism (which ignored the mind) and earlier mentalistic approaches (which focused only on consciousness).

Option A: J.B. Watson, a key figure in behaviorism, insisted that psychology should only study observable behavior and rejected any focus on internal mental states or 'activities of the organism.'.
Option B: Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalysis. His work centered on the influence of the unconscious mind, dreams, and repressed conflicts on human behavior, not on the organism's activities in relation to the environment.
Option D: William James, a leading functionalist, defined psychology as 'the science of mental life.' He was primarily interested in the purpose and adaptive functions of consciousness (how the mind helps us adapt), which is a different emphasis from Woodworth's focus on the organism's total activity.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Definitions of Psychology by Key Theorists as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding different psychological perspectives helps nurses appreciate the diverse factors (biological, behavioral, cognitive, environmental) that influence a patient's health behaviors and mental state.
For example, a behavioral approach (Watson) might be used in patient education for habit formation, while a cognitive approach (related to Woodworth's 'organism' activities) is central to cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
What if? If a nurse is helping a patient quit smoking, a purely behavioral approach might focus on stimulus control (avoiding triggers), whereas an S-O-R approach would also explore the patient's thoughts and feelings ('O') about smoking and quitting.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the definition provided in the question: 'activities of organism' and 'in relation to its environment.'
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the historical definitions of psychology.
Consider the main focus of each psychologist listed in the options.
J.B. Watson is synonymous with 'behaviorism' (observable actions).
Sigmund Freud is linked to the 'unconscious mind.'
William James is associated with 'functionalism' and the 'function of mental life.'

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Definitions of Psychology by Key Theorists
Stem keywords: Psychology, scientific study, activities of organism, Environment, defined by
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

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