Psychology is often defined as the science of human behaviour. Yet such a definition is very limited. For the experiences of a human being continue to take place (through thoughts, feelings and other subjective states of awareness) even when there is no discernible behaviour as in sleep (dream), trance and unconsciousness. Besides, as simple experience of human dealings teaches us, the same outer behaviour can result from a variety of inner reasons, some even totally contradictory in nature. The behavioural approach, in its search for objectivity, discredits the subjective dimension by subordinating it to external observable behaviour. Thus it loses immensely valuable data from man’s inner life, so indispensable to understanding human nature in its totality. Some of the highest states of subjective awareness cannot necessarily be reproduced in outer action. The dreamer is not unique but exists in all. For example a man barely able to earn two square meals through hard physical labour, may dream of an ideal world. So if we merely observe and infer data from his daily life, subject to the routine of external compulsions and outer necessities, we will remain unaware of his inner world. Much human effort is needed to bridge the gulf between fact (outer) and fantasy, between fiction and reality. The common labourer may conceal a rare and noble aspiration behind his daily routine, not easily visible in his outer actions. Equally, a ‘recognised nobleman’ may shield vile and ugly thoughts behind a facade of charity and goodness.
Psychology, to be truly useful, must expand itself to include not only the study of outer behaviour but the whole inner life and existence of man. This is not easy though. The difficulty is present because in the inner world we find ourselves on unsteady and unsure ground. There are no simple markers, no predictable signs, no readily repeated states and no measurable variables. But this is precisely what makes psychology so fascinating and interesting. Even animals observe external behaviour and derive fairly reasonable inferences at their own level. But man has something more. He not only observes and infers, he studies and understands. And for this, his own mind is a field of experience. He can observe, experiment, combine, dissolve and re-combine a number of psycho-logical states and forces inside himself that otherwise escape the scrutiny of the eye and statistical analysis of behaviour. The study of psychology has to move from the laboratory outside to the one within. A power and gift of introspection has been given to mankind. As experience accumulates, psychologists can record and share their observations with others. And, we are free to accept, reject or even research their findings within the scope of our own life and its practical necessities.
