History Flashcards
Epistemology
Impact of literacy on knowledge is studied by comparing preliterate and literate societies
Preliterate: knowledge is practical, fluid and shared through myths and stories
Literate: written record allows science to exist as knowledge can be accumulates, preserved and analysed (China, Egypt and America = first)
Reading
Easier if there is a transparent relationship between spelling and sound e.g. German, English is more opaque and people often have reading difficulties later in life
Numbers
Knowledge demands in counting and measuring
Timeline to studying the mind
Philosophy Philosophy and medicine Evolution Everyday psychological experience Produced Prenology and physiognomy lead to psychology
Philosophical approach
Descartes and Locke
Descartes
‘I think therefore I am’ suggested the soul (reasoning and divine influence) and body are separate (mechanical and material)
Locke
Focuses on human experience allowing us to gather knowledge (focus on mind rather than soul)
Philosophy and medicine
Focuses on man as part of nature and exploring the functions of the body and brain
Action is voluntary (rational) and physical (mechanical)
Harvey, Whytt, Cullen, Gall and Flourens
Harvey
Describes movement of blood as related to heart
Whytt
Mind responds to stimuli detected by the body - connected, often unconscious
Principle of sentience: preserves life and unity or organism
Stimulated motion: continuum between voluntary and automatic
Cullen
Mental and physical events both have Functions
Sentience produces energy which is measurable e.g. excitation
Suggested nervous system is related to mind
Gall
Suggests brain is an organ of the mind
Birth of prenology (reading bumps on head to determine mental abilities)
Flourens
Removed bits of animal brain to see which functions would be imparted
Darwin
Evolutionary perspective, sees humans as part of nature
Subject to natural selection of attributes and behaviour
The principle of continuity of life is controversial as some behaviours don’t have evolutionary advantage
Studied children
Everyday psychological experience
Sense of self
Commercial society
Family life
Industrial revolution