5-MINUTES of Psychology

 BY: MIYINGO Ivan, MPhil, B. Pharm, MPS,

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EXPLAIN PSYCHOLOGY TO A 5-YEAR OLD

Of course, Atiah Miyingo is four, but I will do that. It will be fun. 

The Universe creates you, then Mother Nature does the nurturing. The nurturing then shapes your behaviour. The scientific study of your behaviour is called Psychology. Behaviour comprises of What You Think (Cognition), What You Feel (Emotions), and What You Do (Action).

Psychology also includes the study of the behaviour of other organisms. Donkeys, monkeys, pigeons, parrots, dolphins, and rats. You can go on and on. Traditionally, psychology has focused on human behaviour, with other organisms coming in at experimental trials to understand the human behaviour better.

The Greeks, as usual, used the word 'Psyche' to mean soul. The ancient philosophers then coined psychology as the "study of the soul". Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates being the usual suspects. These mega-thinkers initially doubted the fact that animals have souls. Thence, for centuries, psychology's attention was given to human beings. 

Philosophers of the ancient time asserted that the soul is the seat of consciousness. And consciousness is the seat of our mental capabilities. For this reason, psychology is often thought of as the science of the mind.

One Harvard psychologist defined psychology as the study of mental life. William James was his name. He believed that the purpose of psychology should be to study mental processes such as thinking, memory, and perception.

The meaning of psychology has therefore evolved from being the study of the soul and the mind, to being the study of the behaviour of organisms, with emphasis on human behaviour.

Homework: Explore the links and kinks among psychology, philosophy, physiology, and psychiatry.

Ⓒ 2026

5-Minutes Club

Email: imquintus1995@gmail.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ivan Miyingo Quintus is Atiah Miyingo's Father, a Ugandan writer, commentator, pharmacist, digital content creator, and investigative storyteller whose work explores society, culture, public affairs, health, and the human condition. With a voice rooted in observation and critical reflection, he writes to inform, provoke thought, and inspire meaningful conversation.

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