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🧠 Beginner Psychology Guide – Harini’s Notes 📝
Chapters 1–10: Foundation of Human Psychology
Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Chapter 2: Main Branches of Psychology
Chapter 3: The Human Mind - Basics
Chapter 4: Nature vs Nurture
Chapter 5: How habits are formed (and broken) using psychology
Chapter 6: Understanding emotions and emotional intelligence
Chapter 7: Psychology of relationships (friends, crushes, family)
Chapter 8: Confidence, self-esteem, and how to build it
Chapter 9: Psychology tricks to focus better, beat procrastination
Chapter 10: Introduction to the teenage brain
Chapter 1: What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind, thoughts, emotions, and
behavior.
It answers questions like:
● Why do we think/feel/act a certain way?
● How can we grow, heal, and understand others?
🔍 Key Goals of Psychology:
● Understand human behavior
● Predict future actions
● Change/Improve habits and mindset
🧩 Branches of Psychology:
● Clinical (mental health)
● Cognitive (thinking, memory)
● Developmental (growth over life)
● Social (how people affect each other)
● Educational, Health, and more...
Chapter 2: Famous Psychologists & Their Theories
1. Sigmund Freud – The unconscious mind, childhood affects adult life
2. Carl Jung – Introvert vs Extrovert, Shadow self
3. B.F. Skinner – Behavior = shaped by reward/punishment
4. Ivan Pavlov – Classical conditioning (Pavlov's dog)
5. Jean Piaget – How children learn in stages
6. Carl Rogers – Everyone can grow with love & support
7. Abraham Maslow – Human needs in a pyramid (survival → purpose)
Chapter 3: Psychology in Real Life
Psychology is everywhere:
● 📚 School (focus, learning)
● 🧠 Mental health (emotions, anxiety)
● 💬 Relationships (communication, trust)
● 💪 Goals (motivation, habits)
● 🌙 Dreams, fears, motivation
🔑 Example:
You scroll endlessly → You feel guilty → You procrastinate more
= This is psychology (habit loops, emotional guilt, lack of impulse control)
Chapter 4: Mental Health 101
🧠 Mental health = Emotional well-being, clarity, balance.
It affects how we think, feel, and act.
⚠️ Signs something’s wrong:
● Mood swings
● Exhaustion
● Isolation
● Overthinking
● Body pain (psychosomatic)
💡 Take care by:
● Talking to someone
● Journaling thoughts
● Practicing mindfulness
● Creating calm routines
● Asking for help
Chapter 5: Habits & Behavior Change
💡 Your brain runs on habits (automatic behaviors)
Habit Loop:
Cue → Routine → Reward
Example:
Phone buzzes → You scroll → Brain gets dopamine → It repeats.
🔄 How to build good habits:
1. Make it obvious (cue: water bottle on desk)
2. Make it easy (2-min start rule)
3. Make it rewarding (track it, celebrate)
4. Be consistent, not perfect
Chapter 6: Emotions & Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
😢😡 Emotions are not weaknesses. They are data.
🔎 Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is:
● Knowing how you feel
● Controlling emotions
● Understanding others
● Using feelings wisely
🧠 EQ Skills:
1. Self-awareness – “What am I feeling & why?”
2. Self-regulation – Controlling reactions
3. Motivation – Inner drive
4. Empathy – Feeling what others feel
5. Social skills – Communicating kindly
Chapter 7: Relationships & Psychology
All relationships involve psychological needs like love, trust, attention, space.
💞 Attachment Styles:
● Secure (safe, balanced)
● Anxious (clingy, fear of loss)
● Avoidant (distant, cold)
● Fearful (both clingy + avoidant)
🧠 Knowing your style = Healthier bonds
🔐 Psychological Tips:
● Communicate directly
● Set boundaries
● Avoid toxic patterns
● Heal inner wounds first
Chapter 8: Self-Esteem, Confidence & Self-Worth
🪞 Self-esteem = How you see yourself
💪 Confidence = Believing in your abilities
🧡 Self-worth = Knowing you deserve good things
💥 How to Build It Psychologically:
● Affirm yourself daily (not just looks, but values)
● Track wins (even small ones)
● Practice self-compassion, not self-judgment
● Spend time with growth-minded people
● Stop comparing constantly
Chapter 9: Focus, Distractions & Motivation
🧠 Focus is a skill. Motivation is a spark — but not always reliable.
⚠️ Common Distractions:
● Phone (dopamine addiction)
● Multitasking (kills memory)
● Boredom
● Inner self-doubt
🔧 Tools to stay focused:
● Pomodoro (25 mins work, 5 mins break)
● 5-Second Rule (act before your brain stops you)
● Set clear goals
● Use music, timers, and checklists
● Avoid “fake dopamine” (doomscrolling, bingeing)
Chapter 10: The Teenage Brain
🧠 Teenage brains are still developing — especially decision-making areas.
🧩 Two key parts:
● Amygdala = Emotions (super active in teens)
● Prefrontal Cortex = Logic & control (still developing)
That’s why teens:
● Feel emotions intensely
● Struggle with overthinking, impulse, identity
🧠 Psychology Hacks:
● Name your feelings (“I feel overwhelmed”)
● Pause before reacting (let logic catch up)
● Mindfulness = Emotional balance
● Identity work: Define who you want to be
