Midterm Exam Flashcards
Historiography:
Historiography is the study and writing of history. It involves looking at how history has been recorded and interpreted over time, examining primary and secondary sources, and understanding the perspectives of those who wrote history. It is essentially the “doing of history.”
Presentism
the practice of interpreting historical events and figures through the lens of present-day values and knowledge. This can lead to misjudgments or unfair critiques of historical figures.
Historicism
understanding historical events and figures within the context of their own time. It encourages considering the cultural, social, and political environment of the past without imposing modern values.
Internal history
focuses on the specific person, event, or development being studied, without much consideration of the broader context.
External history
looks at the broader context in which an event occurred, including social, cultural, and historical factors.
The Process of Researching the History of Psychology
Identify Material: Determine what historical materials (diaries, research papers, interviews, etc.) are needed.
Access Material: Confirm if the materials are accessible through archives, libraries, or digital repositories.
Request Material: Submit formal requests to view or obtain access to archival documents.
Analyze Data: Examine and interpret the content while considering its historical context.
The Challenges of Researching the History of Psychology
Availability: The materials may not exist or may be difficult to access.
Condition: Historical documents may be damaged or deteriorated.
Language: Some documents may be in a language the researcher does not understand.
Access Restrictions: Some files may require special permission to access.
Rules and Regulations: Archival locations may have strict guidelines regarding viewing, photographing, or handling documents.
Credible Sources
Primary Sources: Created during the time of the event, such as diaries, research notes, interviews, or original experiments.
Secondary Sources: Interpret or analyze primary sources, such as textbooks, journal articles, or historical reviews.
Archival Records: Documents preserved in museums, libraries, or digital repositories with verified authenticity.
Non-Credible Sources
Unverified Websites: Blogs, opinion articles, or sources without credible references.
Biased Interpretations: Materials that promote personal opinions or misinformation without evidence.
Outdated Materials: Sources that do not reflect current historical understanding or lack proper citations.
Why study the History of
Understand the present by recognizing patterns from the past.
Avoid repetitive mistakes by learning from historical errors.
Track changes over time in psychological theories, methods, and practices.
Unify the field by understanding its evolution and connecting different branches of psychology.
Improve critical thinking by evaluating sources and considering multiple perspectives.
Contribution of Rationalism
Rationalism (René Descartes):
Believed in Cartesian Dualism – Descartes viewed the soul (mind) as separate from the body (nature).
Innate ideas – Descartes believed that humans are born with knowledge (given by God), emphasizing the soul’s divine origin.
Implication: Descartes’ separation of mind and body maintained the belief that humans were not entirely part of nature but contained a divine element (soul).
Contribution of Empiricism
British Empiricism (John Locke):
Rejected innate ideas – Locke argued that humans are born as a tabula rasa (blank slate), meaning all knowledge comes from experience, not from God or reason.
Knowledge through sensory experience – Humans learn through their senses and reflect on those experiences.
Implication: Locke’s emphasis on experience and observation suggested that humans were entirely shaped by natural processes, supporting the idea that humans are part of nature.
How Physiological Developments Challenged Cartesian Dualism
Cartesian Dualism (Descartes):
Claimed that the soul (mind) and body were separate entities.
Believed the body operated like a machine, but the soul was divine and separate.
*These physiological discoveries showed that mental processes could be explained through the brain, undermining Cartesian Dualism.
How Physiological Developments Supported Humans as Part of Nature
Physiological Developments:
Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519): Dissected bodies and drew accurate images of the brain, showing the physical connection between the brain and behavior.
Andreas Vesalius (1514-1564): Created detailed anatomical textbooks, proving the brain controls physical functions.
Paul Broca (1824-1880): Discovered Broca’s area, showing damage to a specific part of the brain affects speech, proving a direct link between the brain (body) and mental processes.
Phineas Gage (1823-1860): Suffered brain damage that changed his personality, demonstrating that the mind is not separate from the body.
*It placed humans within the realm of nature, as mental functions were now seen as biological rather than divine.
Localization of Funtion Debate
Franz Joseph Gall (Localization of Function):
Believed different brain areas control different functions.
Practiced phrenology – measuring skull bumps to predict personality.
Suggested the brain controls the mind, supporting the view of humans as part of nature.
M.J.P. Flourens (Holism):
Disagreed with Gall and believed the brain worked as a whole (holism).
Conducted animal experiments, showing that removing parts of the brain did not localize functions.
Maintained the belief in a unified brain.
Lamarck’s Theories of Evolution
Mechanism of Change: acquired traits during a lifetime are passed to offspring
Role of Environment: directly influences physical change within an organism’s lifetime
View of Nature: Organisms have an internal drive to change based on needs.
His theory kept some elements of divine influence.
Darwin’s Theories of Evolution
Mechanism of change: random variations occur, traits are naturally selected and passed on.
Role of Environment: Influences which traits are favourable for survival
View of Nature: nature selects beneficial traits that increase survival
How Evolutionary Theory by Natural Selection Positioned Humans as Part of Nature
Darwin’s theory of natural selection was a major turning point in viewing humans as entirely part of nature, rejecting the belief that humans were separate or superior due to divine influence.
-comparative psychology (studying animals to understand human behaviour)
Emergence of Focus on One’s Interior Life (17th - 19th Centuries)
During the 17th to 19th centuries, significant social, religious, and technological changes encouraged individuals to focus more on their interior life — their thoughts, emotions, and sense of self. T
his shift laid the foundation for the development of Psychology as a field that studies human behavior, emotions, and internal processes.
Key Factors Contributing to the Focus on Interior Life:
- Protestant Reformation
- Emergence of Technologies (improved mirrors, letter writting, novels)
- Rise in Self-Relfection (sense of self)
Societal Changes from the Industrial Revolution, Capitalism, and the Rise of Commercial Society
1) Industrial Revolution:
Shift from agrarian to industrial economies: People moved to cities, working in factories under harsh conditions.
2) Capitalism and Commercial Society:
Society began to define people based on their economic value — what they produced, sold, or consumed.
3) Resulting Social Changes:
Shift in family life: People spent less time at home due to factory work, shifting familial roles.
