Chapter 11: American Psychology and Functionalism Flashcards
Stages of early American Psychology
Stage One: Moral and Mental Philosophy (1640-1776)
Stage Two: Intellectual Philosophy (1776-1886)
Stage Three: The U.S. Renaissance (1886-1896)
Stage Four: U.S. Functionalism (1896 and Beyond)
Stage One: Moral and Mental Philosophy (1640-1776)
Psychology was integrated with religious indoctrination, heavily influenced by British universities.
American Enlightenment started in 1714 with the widespread
Stage Two: Intellectual Philosophy (1776-1886)
Psychology emerged as a separate discipline influenced by Scottish common sense philosophy.
Notable figures such as Thomas Reid contributed to the acceptance of sensory information and self-examination.
Stage Three: The U.S. Renaissance (1886-1896)
Marked by a shift towards individual differences, adaptation to the environment, and practicality, aligning with evolutionary theories.
Saw the rise of various practices like physiognomy, phrenology, mesmerism, and spiritualism.
Stage Four: U.S. Functionalism (1896 and Beyond)
Represented the convergence of science, practicality, individualism, and evolutionary theory in functionalism, characterized by the work of John Dewey and Edward Titchener.
Eight Characteristics of functionalist psychology
Opposed structuralism and emphasized understanding the function of the mind rather than just its static contents.
Focused on the practical application of psychological findings in various domains of life.
Advocated for a broadened scope of psychology, including research on animals, children, and individuals with psychological disorders.
Utilized an eclectic methodology ranging from mazes to mental tests.
Emphasized the importance of understanding motivation and how it drives behavior.
Recognized both mental processes and behavior as valid subjects of study.
Displayed a greater interest in the uniqueness of individuals rather than their commonalities.
Directly or indirectly influenced by the ideas of William James.
James Rowland Angell
A prominent psychologist known for his significant contributions to functional psychology, with a focus on animal behavior and mental processes. He emphasized the importance of behavior as a means to understand psychological phenomena. He was instrumental in advancing the comparative study of psychology and the exploration of mental processes in animals
James Mark Baldwin
Noted for his work in social and child psychology, Baldwin contributed to the understanding of child cognitive development, which later influenced the work of Jean Piaget. He also proposed the Baldwin Effect, which postulated a connection between learning and evolution, although it remains a controversial concept
Mary Whiton Calkins
A distinguished psychologist recognized for her work on self-psychology and the paired-associate technique. Calkins was the first woman to become president of the American Psychological Association (APA) and contributed significantly to the early development of psychology as a discipline
Harvey Carr
Known for his work in the field of animal psychology, Carr contributed to the understanding of animal behavior and learning processes. He played a role in the development of behaviorism, emphasizing the importance of objective observation and measurement in psychological research
James McKeen Cattell
A renowned psychologist recognized for his significant contributions to applied psychology and mental testing. Cattell was influential in the establishment of psychological testing as a fundamental tool for measuring intelligence and cognitive abilities
Kenneth Bancroft Clark
Noted for his groundbreaking research on racial segregation and the psychological effects of discrimination, Clark was instrumental in shaping the understanding of the impact of racial prejudice on children’s self-perception and identity development
John Dewey
A prominent philosopher and psychologist, Dewey was a key figure in the development of functional psychology and instrumental in the advancement of progressive education. He emphasized the importance of experiential learning and the practical application of knowledge
Granville Stanley Hall
Known as the father of the child study movement, Hall made significant contributions to developmental psychology and the understanding of child behavior. He established the first psychology research laboratory in the United States and played a crucial role in the early development of psychology as a scientific discipline
William James
A highly influential philosopher and psychologist, James is recognized for his contributions to the field of functionalism and his emphasis on the pragmatic aspects of psychology. He laid the groundwork for the study of consciousness and the relationship between the mind and body
Conwy Lloyd Morgan
Known for his work in comparative psychology, Morgan introduced the principle known as Morgan’s canon, which cautioned against anthropomorphizing animal behavior. He played a significant role in establishing a more objective approach to the study of animal intelligence
Hugo Münsterberg
Noted for his contributions to applied psychology and the development of forensic psychology, Münsterberg emphasized the practical applications of psychological principles in various real-world contexts, including industry, law, and education
Francis Cecil Sumner
Recognized as the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology, Sumner made significant contributions to the understanding of race and culture in psychology. He played a pivotal role in advocating for the inclusion of diverse perspectives in psychological research and education
Edward Lee Thorndike
Known for his pioneering work in the field of animal learning and behavior, Thorndike developed the puzzle box as an experimental tool to study trial-and-error learning. His research laid the foundation for the principles of connectionism and the laws of exercise and effect in learning theory
Margaret Floy Washburn
A prominent psychologist known for her work in comparative psychology and animal behavior, Washburn was the first woman to receive a PhD in psychology. She made significant contributions to the understanding of consciousness in animals and the role of behavior in psychological research
Robert Sessions Woodworth
Noted for his work in dynamic psychology, Woodworth emphasized the importance of understanding the dynamic interactions between the individual and the environment. He contributed to the development of the field of psychodynamics and played a crucial role in advancing the understanding of human behavior and motivation
Adaptive set (Carr)
Carr’s term for a unit of behavior with three characteristics: a need, an environmental setting, and a response that satisfies the need
Connectionism
The term often used to describe Thorndike’s theory of learning because of its concern with the neural bonds or connections that associate sense impressions and impulses to action
Dynamic psychology
The brand of psychology suggested by Woodworth that stressed the internal variables that motivate organisms to act
