Psychology is a significant scientific discipline that studies the mind, behavior, and internal mental processes of humans and animals. The term “psychology” derives from the Greek words psyche, meaning soul or mind, and logos, meaning study or science, thus signifying the scientific study of human mental and cognitive functions. This discipline focuses on a broad range of topics including both overt and covert human behaviors, emotions, attention, memory, perception, and patterns of social interaction. Psychological knowledge is not only confined to academic research but also widely applied in everyday life. It plays an essential role in diverse fields such as education, employment, family life, and psychological issues, including stress and depression, where psychological theories and methodologies are utilized to better understand and address these challenges.

Today, psychology has evolved into specialized subfields such as developmental psychology, sports psychology, organizational and occupational psychology, health psychology, psychological assessment, psychometrics, and comparative psychology. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus (460–370 BCE) regarded mental phenomena as natural material entities composed of specific atoms. In contrast, Plato and Aristotle defined human intellect and emotions as the “soul,” an intellectual essence. These early perspectives laid the foundational concepts and philosophical groundwork for psychology, forming the basis for the development of modern psychological science.

  Researcher B. Oyunchimeg has suggested that psychology, before developing as an independent science, progressed through several distinct historical stages. These stages can be classified as follows:

1. Ancient Period (1st–8th Century BCE):During this period, foundational concepts concerning the mind and consciousness began to emerge. Prominent Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle proposed some of the earliest theories on the nature of human intellect and psyche, which later served as the foundational basis for modern psychology.
2. Medieval Period (8th–15th Century):In this era, psychological concepts and theories developed in conjunction with philosophy and religious doctrine. The human mind and soul were often interpreted through divine and spiritual frameworks. The ideas of Aristotle were revived and continued to influence thought during this period.
3. Renaissance Period (16th–17th Century): A more scientific approach to understanding human cognition and consciousness began to take shape. The French philosopher René Descartes famously declared, “I think, therefore I am,” marking an early philosophical focus on human consciousness. Russian scientist I.M. Sechenov and German philosopher G. Leibniz also contributed by attempting to explain mental processes through physiology, logic, and experimentation.
4. Modern Psychology (18th–19th Century): Psychology became increasingly specialized and began developing empirical research methodologies based on experimentation. Scholars such as David Hartley (England), Wilhelm Dilthey (Germany), and Charles Darwin sought to explain human behavior from biological and evolutionary perspectives. E.B. Titchener laid the groundwork for the development of American psychology during this period.
5. Contemporary Trends (Mid-20th Century–Present): Psychology has evolved into an independent scientific discipline with numerous branches, including behavioral psychology, experimental psychology, cognitive psychology, humanistic psychology, and biological psychology. This period also saw significant growth in diagnostic methodology and psychological counseling practices (Oyunchimeg B., 2005).

  One of the primary methods used in psychological research is observation. Observation can take many forms, each with its own advantages and limitations. Selecting the appropriate type of observation based on the specific context, objectives, and available resources is essential for conducting effective and meaningful research.
(Batsaikhan B. & Dorjjav D., 2009)

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