HOW DID PSYCHOLOGY ORIGINATE? – A HISTORICAL JOURNEY OF THE HUMAN MIND

I. INTRODUCTION – THE PATH FROM DARKNESS TO THE HUMAN MIND Since the dawn of humanity, people have tried to understand not only the outer world but also their inner universe. Why do we fear? Why do we love? Why do we cry? Or why do we sometimes feel sad for no apparent reason? These are not merely personal concerns, but psychological mysteries that have fascinated humanity for millennia.

In fact, psychology emerged as a natural need alongside human existence. But it took millennia for it to gain scientific status. In this article, we will trace psychology’s roots in philosophy, its development in science, and its future in technology. We will also explore the scholars who left golden marks on this field, their ideas, and the turning points they created.

II. ANCIENT ROOTS OF PSYCHOLOGY – EXPLAINING THE SOUL

1. The Concept of the “Soul” in Ancient Egyptian and Indian Thought In Ancient Egypt, human behavior was explained through the "soul," "heart," and "will of the gods." In Indian philosophy, concepts like "atman" and "karma" were associated with psychological states. These were the first signs of meaningful approaches to inner life.

2. Greek Philosophy: Contributions of Plato and Aristotle Plato divided the soul into three parts: reason, will, and desire. He laid the foundations of moral psychology. Aristotle was more realistic — his work "De Anima" (On the Soul) is considered the first psychological treatise. He explained feelings, memory, intellect, and emotions.

III. THE MIDDLE AGES – PSYCHOLOGY IN THE HANDS OF HEALERS

1. The Role of Islamic Scholars In the Middle Ages, especially in the Islamic world, scholars like Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi, and Al-Ghazali gave deep answers to psychological questions. Ibn Sina’s thoughts on the "nafs" (soul) laid the foundations for modern psychosomatic approaches. They also practiced early forms of psychotherapy.

2. The Christian World: The Psychology of Sin and the Soul In Europe, behavior and the soul were explained through religious context. The psychology of sin, suffering, and conscience developed. However, this model often emphasized obedience over inquiry.

IV. THE MODERN AGE – PSYCHOLOGY GAINS A SCIENTIFIC STANDING

1. René Descartes and Dualism René Descartes (1596–1650) saw humans as both “body” and “mind.” His idea “I think, therefore I am” affirmed the central role of reason in the future of psychology.

2. The First Experimental Approaches Wilhelm Wundt – the man who made psychology a separate science. In 1879, he established the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany.

He applied introspection (self-observation) and transformed psychology into a science.

According to him, psychology should no longer study the soul but the mind.

3. William James – The Father of American Psychology William James (1842–1910) was the founder of functionalism. He analyzed human behavior in terms of environmental adaptation. His book “The Principles of Psychology” became a cornerstone of the field.

V. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL BOOM OF THE 20TH CENTURY

1. Psychoanalysis – Freud’s Theory That Changed the World Sigmund Freud revolutionized psychology. According to him:

Much of human behavior is driven by unconscious impulses. He developed the concepts of id, ego, and superego. With his theory of psychosexual development and dream analysis, he opened new paths in the human psyche.

2. Behaviorism John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner sought to explain behavior only through observable indicators.

This school claimed: “Consciousness cannot be measured — only behavior is real.”

They conducted experiments on animals to study human learning habits and conditioning.

3. Humanistic Psychology Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow created a psychology based on free will, love, and potential for growth.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is still used in motivation research today.

They said: “A human being is not just a mechanical reactor, but a living being that strives to grow.”

VI. MODERN PSYCHOLOGY – AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE BRAIN AND TECHNOLOGY

1. The Cognitive Revolution In the 1950s, psychology returned to the mind:

Jean Piaget proposed a stage-based model of child development. Albert Bandura introduced the theory of social learning.

Psychology began to study memory, attention, perception, and decision-making using scientific methods.

2. Neuropsychology and Brain Mapping Thanks to brain imaging technologies (fMRI, EEG), psychology became more precise.

This field explains the link between brain injuries, illnesses, and behaviors.

Psychology is moving from subjectivity toward objectivity.

3. Positive Psychology Over the past 20 years, under the leadership of Martin Seligman, psychology has turned its attention not just to disorders, but to happiness, inner strength, and optimism.

This approach helps bring out a person’s full potential.

VII. PSYCHOLOGY IN AZERBAIJAN In Azerbaijan, psychology began to develop gradually in the mid-20th century.

Baku State University was the first to train psychologists in this field.

In recent years, psychological centers, counseling platforms, podcasts, and blogs have become widespread.

However, stigma and a lack of professionals still exist.

VIII. THE FUTURE OF PSYCHOLOGY – INNER WORLDS ENHANCED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial intelligence is already conducting psychological tests and making diagnoses.

Therapy is now being delivered through chatbots.

But the most important part — in the future, psychology will not only explain the human but also guide them.

IX. CONCLUSION – PSYCHOLOGY WAS BORN FROM THE DESIRE TO UNDERSTAND HUMANITY Psychology has traveled from Plato’s dark cave to Wundt’s laboratory, from Freud’s couch to Maslow’s peak, and now to the screens of artificial intelligence. Yet its goal remains the same: to understand the human being.

In this article, we presented the long and fascinating journey of psychology — its key figures, theories, schools, and future directions.

YOUR QUESTIONS AND OPINIONS MATTER TO US Which theory do you think explains human nature better? Freud’s unconscious theory, or Maslow’s self-actualization model? Or perhaps your own life experience aligns better with a different approach?

Share your thoughts with us! Leave a comment below and let us know which psychological perspective resonates most with you.