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Historical Development of Psychological Thought

This text explores the influence of philosophical perspectives on the development of psychology, starting from ancient Egyptian beliefs to the emergence of structuralism and functionalism in modern psychology. It discusses key figures such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and John Locke, and their contributions to the field.

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Historical Development of Psychological Thought

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  1. 9/9/12 Aim: How did philosophical perspectives shape the development of psychological thought?Do now: answer q on sheet

  2. Answer • Psychology as a field of science has a short past, however man has been questioning behavior since the beginning of time. • “Why did he do that?” • ‘Why did I do that?”

  3. We did it first!!! Pre-Greeks - Egyptians • Behavior is influenced by gods/nature • Thoughts, dreams, madness • Mind centered in the heart, or other organs • Egyptian Mystery System – secret set of doctrines • Laid the foundations for scientific knowledge

  4. The Greeks – what did they believe? • Believed behavioral problems were the cause of gods who smite people • Smite – to inflict a heavy blow with an object, to hurt

  5. The Greeks I like to ask questions, but I never write anything down I follow around Socrates and actually write it down • Socrates and Plato • Learn about ourselves by examining ones’ thoughts and feelings • it is not the heavenly bodies, earth, clouds, etc., that were of value but the universe of the human soul. • Sentenced to death for corrupting the young and not acknowledging the Gods of the city • Socrates wrote nothing down, had two wives, never really liked to work • Socratic method – seeking knowledge by question and answer – dialectic – dialogue • Know Thyself – examine thoughts and feelings

  6. Plato • Plato defined 3 aspects of the psyche--reason, feeling and appetite (similar to Freud’s id, ego and superego) • wrote about the duality of the psyche and the relationship between mind and body • Madness and ignorance were diseases of the mind brought about by the body. • introspection – looking inward • Come into the world with ideas inborn

  7. Aristotle • Studied with Plato for 20 years • Was considered the father of modern scientific thought • Alexander the Great’s tutor • Believed that the mind is a blank slate, a canvas to create upon

  8. Dark Ages/Demonic Possession – Rise of Islam • The early part of the period was referred to as the Dark Ages due to the halt of scientific advancement, misgovernment, civil wars, barbarian people, discord, and the dismantling of the monetary system. • There were no psychological advance made during this period; and very little interest in Psychology. The works of Aristotle and Plato were even lost. • Arabic scholars added to the field of philosophy and medicine

  9. Dark Ages – Trial by Ordeal • believed agitation and confusion were possession by demons, punishment for sins, deals with the devil • Water-float test - if you drowned you were human, if you floated you're a witch and would be burned at the stake.

  10. Scientific Revolution/Scientific Approach John Locke- 1632-1704 - the mind is blank at birth • Theorized knowledge is not inborn but is learned from experience • Human behavior and mental processes should be supported by evidence • In the 1800s, psychological laboratories were established in Europe and the United States

  11. Fill out the blanks with • Socrates Aristotle • Plato • Locke

  12. When was psychology born as a science? • 1879 • Where did it emerge from? • Philosophy and physiology

  13. Structuralism 1879 • Elements of the mind • Study most basic elements, sensations, perceptions, that make up our conscious mental experiences • Reduce behaviors to smallest sensations; add up to make a whole person • Uses introspection – “looking inward” • Wilhelm Wundt – Father of modern psychology, set up first lab in 1879 • Edward Titchner – student of Wundt – set up lab in America, studied smallest pieces of the mind

  14. Functionalism 1890 • Functions of the mind, study of the function rather the structure of the mind, how does our mind adapt to our changing environment • Ex: riding a bike and driving a car requires full attention at first, through repetition, they become automatic • William James – 1st American born psychologist • Wrote “Principles of Psychology” in 1876

  15. For each statement, identify if it is a structuralist or functionalist statement Structuralism – 1,2,3,4,5,8,9Functionalism – 6,7,10,11,12,13

  16. 9/10/12 Do Now • List the two perspectives of early psychology (after 1879), explain and give a name associated with each.

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