W2- Dissecting Psychology's philosphical roots Flashcards
Which ancient civilisations form the philosophical roots of psychology?
Egypt, Greece, China, and India
Philosophical interest in mind and behaviour
What is the acronym WEIRD?
Refers to how psychology is based on knowledge from Western Educated Industrialised Rich Democratic nations
Who are considered the three father of western psychology?
Socrates- 470-399 BCE
Plato- 428-348 BCE
Aristotle- 384-322 BCE
What were Socrates’ main contributions to psychology?
founder of western philosophy
unexamine life not worth living
‘Socratic method’- used to discuss and investigate truth to opinions
What were Plato’s main contributions to psychology?
taught by Socrates
emphasis on role of psyche (soul) in dictating actions, emotion, and thinking
What were Aristotle’s main contributions to psychology?
Taught by Plato
Father of Ancient Psychology
Thought to have published first book on psychology- De anima
What are the main teaching of Confucianism?
emphasis on morality and virtues
Five virtues for moral life- humanity, duty to others, sensitivity to other’s feelings, wisdom, truthfulness
remains influential in East Asia and underpins many aspects of Chinese/East Asian culture
What are the main contributions of Confucianism to psychology?
contemporary moral psychology
Confucian psychology- “aspirations for bettering condition of humanity through character development and greater awareness of the situation to realise the endowment of moral mind”
What is Taoism?
Chinese philosophy
harmony with nature and society
emphasis on balance in life between two opposing forces- yin and yang
What are the main contributions of Taoism to psychology?
Minfulness-based therapies- Mindfulness, acceptance, non-attachment
Holistic wellbeing
effortless action
What is Buddhism?
life = suffering as a result of endless desires and wishes
goal of achieving Nirvana- state in which there is no more suffering
virtues- love, compassion, joy, equanimity
What are the main contributions of Buddhism to psychology?
Mindfulness-based practices
Compassion, non-attachment, self awareness
What is Hinduism?
aatman- purity of one’s soul
karma- actions in current life, both good and bad deeds which together determine outcome in afterlife and reincarnation
karma determines aatman
What are main contributions of Hinduism to psychology?
meditation, yoga, self-realisation- therapeutic techniques
karma, darma, interconnectedness- contribute to holistic models of psychological wellbeing
Why is there less focus on Eastern Philosphies?
advances in education and colonialsiation
white men’s burden- white people feel responsibility to educate the rest of the world about they way they see things
theft and appropriation of philosphies
research advanced faster in west than east- easier for west to present ideas to world
What other minority groups are excluded?
Females
Neurodivergent people
Disabled people
LGBTQIA+ people
low-income/working class
prisoners and incarcerated people
What are the main causes of WEIRD roots of psychology?
Cultural bias
Ethnocentrism
Colonial legacy
Lack of representation
Issues with access
Dominance of western perspective and participants in research
How were cultural perspectives ignored in early history of Australian psychology?
Australia relied on psychological info developed in Europe and North America and these theories and frameworks (eg from Freud) were used to inform mental health health policies and practices. These theories were considered universal and applied to the Indigenous Australian population as well
How was psychology used as a tool for marginalisation?
Psychiatry and psychology was used to classify those from non-Western cultures as ‘Other’ and pathologise cultural differences
DSM IV 1994 first to recognise cultural differences in what is considered psych disorder-‘culture-bound syndromes’
What is the issue with classifying psych disorders considered as such in non-Western cultures as ‘culture-bound syndromes’?
still ethno-centric
Western is normal/default
DSM-5 improve- ‘cultural idioms of distress’- introduce importance of cultural context- still fails to address diverse cultural safety needs- further guidance for practioners needed on applying understanding of cultural differences
What are non-Western knowledge systems?
understandings, skills and philosphies developed by societies that have lived with close interaction with the environment for a long time
knowledge is more holistic, including language, systems of classification, resource use practices, social interactions, ritual, spirituality
How do Indigenous people use the western world?
social media used to inform others
research conferences
What are some areas where non-western knowledge systems are mentioned?
Acknowledgement or Welcome to country
place-based learning
fire burning practices
bush foods
healing techniques
yarning circles
relatedness and connection
How are healthcare spaces becoming more culturally safe?
more humanities perspective
taking into account broader contexts
considering who is left behind
cultural protocol- naming countries, statement regarding deceased persons, privileging voice, adhering to consent
