• ISBN13: 9788126941827
• Binding: Paperback
• Subject: Education & Psychology
• Publisher: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Ltd
• Publisher Imprint: Atlantic
• Publication Date: June 30, 2025
• Pages: 348
• Original Price: INR 695.0
• Language: English
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 420 grams
• BISAC Subject(s): Physiological Psychology, Experimental Psychology, and Cognitive Psychology & Cognition

Experimental psychology has been instrumental in grounding psychology as a scientific discipline, and its methods are now integral to research and analysis. As a result, it forms a core component of undergraduate psychology programs in India and around the world. Experimental Psychology offers a comprehensive introduction to key experimental approaches, covering areas such as physiological psychology, nervous system, cognitive processes and various aspects of human behaviour. It presents a clear and concise overview of essential concepts guided by a pragmatic approach, and meticulously aligns with current academic trends and university examination patterns. Written in lucid, jargon-free language, this book is an ideal companion for students seeking a sound foundation in the theory and application of experimental psychology.

Dr Ram Nath Sharma, MA, DPhil, DLitt, is a distinguished scholar with extensive contributions to education and psychology. With over two decades of experience as the Head of Postgraduate Studies and Research at Meerut College, and having mentored more than two dozen PhD scholars, his expertise is unparalleled. A former President of the U.P. Philosophers Association and Director at Sri Aurobindo Research Institute, he has held influential roles in several national philosophical associations, including LMI of the Indian Philosophical Association and Darshan Parishad. He is also the Chief Editor of the Research Journal of Philosophy and Social Science. A prolific author, he has published over 100 books and research papers, shaping academic thought in psychology and education.

Dr Rachana Sharma, MA, PhD, is a seasoned psychologist specialising in special education and mental health. She has worked as a clinical psychologist and counsellor in Delhi, supporting children with special needs and their families. Since 2000, she has been associated with the Department of Education in the UK, offering guidance to students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her acclaimed doctoral work, Hindu Techniques of Mental Health, bridges Eastern wisdom with modern psychological practice. She brings a unique blend of theoretical insight and practical experience to this book.

• Preface iii
1.Introductory 1
• Meaning of Experimental Psychology — Its Nature, Scope and Value. Experimental Method: Steps, Limits and Control— Questions for Exercise.
2.Pioneers of Experimental Psychology 10
• Wilhelm Wundt — Herman Von Helmholtz — J. McKeen Cattel — Questions for Exercise.
3.Psycho-Physical Method 18
• Method of Limits — Method of Right and Wrong Cases —Method of Mean or Average Error — Errors of Psycho-Physical Methods — Questions for Exercises.
4.Sample Investigation 23
• Meaning, characteristics, defects, scope, essentials —Method of Sample Investigation Question for Exercise.
5. Psychological Testing 31
• Importance of Psychological Tests — Meaning of Psychological Tests — Classification of Psychological Tests— Characteristics of Good Tests, Validity — Reliability —Intelligence Tests — Measurement of Personality —Measurement of Special Abilities — Question for Exercise.
6.Individual Differences 56
• Meaning and Types of Individual Differences — Question for Exercise.
7.Psycho-Physics and Weber-Fechner Function 60
• E.H. Weber Experimental Studies, Fechner’s Experiments, Johnnes Muller — Questions for Exercise.
8.Psysiological Psychology and Nervous System 72
• Meaning and Scope — Psychology and Physiology —Definition of Physiological Psychology — Its Problems —Metabolism of Cells — Intermediary Metabolism—Metabolism of Genes, Vitamins and Enzymes —Homeostasis — The Response Mechanism — Cell and its Functions — Primitive Response Mechanism — Neurons —Receptors — Effectors — The Nervous System — Endocrine Glands — Types — Hypo and Hyper Secretion, Influence on Behaviour and Personality — Nerve Physiology —Potentials in Neurons — Membrane Theory of Conduction— Measurement of conduction — Sensory and Motor nervous pathways — Peripheral Nervous System — Questions for Exercise.
9.Sensation and Sense Organs 114
• Nature of sensation — Attributes and types — visual receptor cells — visual sensation — Characteristics of colour — Visual constancy — Theories of colour vision. Young-Helmholtz’s theory — Hering’s theory — Ladd Frankin’s theory — Parkinje Phenomena — Auditory sensation — Theories of Audition— Aesthesiometric Index — Questions for Exercise.
10.Nervous System 140
• Spinal Cord: Structure and Functions — Brain — Structure and Divisions — Medulla Oblongata — Structure and Functions. The Metencephalon, Cerebellum — Mid Brain— Fore Brain — Thalamus and Hypothalamus — Cerebral Cortex — Functional Areas — Associative Areas — Inner Structure of the Brain, Grey and White matter — Localisation of brain functions: methods, localisation and types of combining areas — Sympathetic and Parasympathetic—Autonomic Nervous System — Questions for Exercise.
11.Perceptual Processes 167
• Meaning and Nature of Perception — Perception and Sensation — Characteristics of Perception, Perceptual Grouping — Laws of Organisation — Laws Determining Figure and Background — Illusion: Nature Types and Causes, Hallucination — Perception of Space — Questions for Exercise.
12.Attention and Distraction 181
• Determinants of Attention — Kinds of Attention — Distraction— Fluctuation of Attention — Attention and Interest —Questions for Exercise.
13.Studies of Action: Motivation 192
• Meaning and Categories of Motives — Less Specific Needs— General Needs — Other Innate Motives — Acquired Motives, Homeostasis, Hunger — Sex — Sleep — Measurement of Needs— Questions for Exercise.
14.Frustration and Conflict 219
• Meaning and Nature of Frustration — Causes of Frustration— Conflict — Questions for Exercise.
15.Reaction Time 226
• Nature and Importance — Kinds, Causes and Factors —Measurement — Questions for Exercise.
16.Feeling and Emotion 232
• Nature of Emotion, Emotion and Feeling, Physical Changes in Emotion: Inner and External, Theories of Emotion; James-Lange Theory, Cannon Theory — Motivational Theory— Activation Theory — Questions for Exercise.
17.Learning 243
• Meaning and Nature of Learning — Learning and Maturation — Conditioned Response Learning — Trial and Error — Insight — Problems of Neuro-physiology of Learning— Experiments on Brain — Experiments on Discriminative Learning — Study of Problem Solving Behaviour — Questions for Exercise.
18.Attention and Interest 254
• Meaning and Conditions of Attention — Determinants of Attention — Kinds of Attention — Distraction: Nature, Forms— and Means of Removing, Span of Attention — Division of Attention — Questions for Exercise.
19.Memory and Forgetting 265
• Nature of Memory, Constituents of Memory, Learning, Retention: Nature, Levels and Favourable Conditions, Favourable Conditions in Recognition, how to memorise, Forgetting: Nature and Causes — Questions for Exercise.
20.Association 280
• Experiments by Ebbinghaus — Kinds of Association —Free Association — Constrained Association — Questions for Exercise.
• 21.Imagery 293
• Methods of Studying Imagery — Methods of Studying Imagination — Questions for Exercise.
22.Thinking 297
• Nature — Forms — Instruments of Thinking — Concept Formation: Nature and Activities — Studies by Wurzburg— Theories of Thinking — Imageless Thinking — Set in Thinking — Question for Exercise.
23.Intelligence and Intelligence Tests 313
• Definition of Intelligence — Theories of Intelligence —Types of Intelligence Tests — Questions for Exercise.
24.Personality 317
• Meaning of Personality — Factors Effecting Personality —Questions for Exercise.
25.Work and Fatigue 325
• What is Work — Kinds of Work — Muscular Work — Mental Work — Work Curve— Factors Influencing Production —Fatigue: What is fatigue; its kinds — Questions for Exercise.