Lesson no 2 : Historical Roots of Modern Psychology Short question
What was the primary focus of study when psychology was defined as the “science of soul”? The primary focus was the soul, its nature, and its relationship to the body.
Who was the Greek physician known for his theory of four humors? Hippocrates was the Greek physician known for his theory of four humors.
According to Plato, what are the three parts of the soul? According to Plato, the three parts of the soul are reason, spirit, and appetite.
What procedure did ancient humans perform to release evil spirits from a mental patient? They performed trephining, drilling a hole into the skull.
Which Muslim philosopher established the first mental hospital in Spain? Muslim thinkers and philosophers established the first mental hospital in Spain (specific names like Ibn Sina were involved in such advancements, though the text states “Muslim thinkers” collectively).
What is the meaning of the term “Tabula Rasa” introduced by John Locke? “Tabula Rasa” means “blank slate,” referring to the idea that people are born without innate ideas and that knowledge comes from experience.
Name one of the early schools of thought that focused on the structure of the mind. Structuralism was an early school of thought that focused on the structure of the mind.
What is the main concept behind phrenology, proposed by Franz Joseph Gall? Phrenology postulated that personality characteristics and intellectual faculties could be discerned from the shape and bumps on a person’s skull.
Explain how the definition of psychology shifted from “science of mind” to “science of behavior.” The definition shifted because “mind” was considered too vague and subjective for scientific study, while observable “behavior” offered a more objective and measurable subject matter.
Why was the definition of psychology as the “science of consciousness” rejected? It was rejected because it excluded the study of unconscious processes, animal behavior, and there was no agreement on the meaning of consciousness itself.
How did Descartes’ concept of “Interactive Dualism” influence psychology? Descartes’ “Interactive Dualism” proposed that the mind and body are separate but influence each other, which was a significant step in considering the relationship between mental and physical processes.
What was the significance of Alcamaeon’s work for physiological psychology? Alcamaeon is considered a father figure for recognizing the brain as the seat of intellectual faculties and distinguishing between sensation and thinking, originating physiological psychology.
Explain the role of Muslim philosophers in the historical development of psychology. Muslim philosophers presented humane concepts for mental treatment, established mental hospitals, and developed sophisticated ideas about the soul, self, and mental health, flourishing during Europe’s Dark Ages.
How did Locke’s concept of “Tabula Rasa” contrast with existing views on human knowledge? It contrasted with nativist views that claimed knowledge was innate, instead arguing that all knowledge is acquired through experience after birth.
What does the quote “Psychology has a long past, but only a short history” mean? It means that while people have always been curious about psychological phenomena (long past), psychology as a formal, scientific discipline has a relatively brief history starting with Wundt.
How did the methods of early philosophers differ from modern psychological approaches? Early philosophers relied on reasoning, introspection, and observation without systematic experimentation, whereas modern psychology employs the scientific method and controlled research.
Why was the study of animal behavior important for the early development of psychology? Studying animal behavior allowed researchers to conduct controlled experiments that would be unethical with humans, helping to establish general principles of learning and behavior.
A historian argues that ancient practices like trephining show that humans have always sought to explain behavior. How does this support the historical roots of psychology? This supports the idea that the application of psychology—seeking explanations for and attempting to control behavior—existed long before it became a formal science.
A modern therapist encourages a client to find a balance between work and personal life. Which Greek philosopher’s concept of balanced humors does this loosely reflect? This loosely reflects Hippocrates’ concept that a proportionate mixture of humors leads to health and balance.
If a teacher believes students are “blank slates” when they enter school, which philosopher’s idea are they adhering to? They are adhering to John Locke’s idea of “Tabula Rasa.”
A person today claims they can tell someone’s personality by feeling the bumps on their head. Which historical theory is this similar to, and how is it viewed today? This is similar to Gall’s phrenology, which is now considered a pseudoscience and is not supported by empirical evidence.
Read this description: “An approach that focused on what the mind does and how behavior allows people to adapt to their environments.” Which early school of thought is this? This describes Functionalism.
A psychologist studies how children learn language through interaction with their parents. Which historical influence (nature vs. nurture) does this emphasize? This emphasizes the nurture side of the debate, similar to Locke’s empiricist approach.
Based on Plato’s tripartite soul, how might one explain a person’s internal conflict when dieting? The conflict could be explained as the appetite (desiring food) clashing with reason (knowing the health benefits of dieting), with spirit potentially siding with either.
How did the separation of medicine from religion, as advanced by figures like Hippocrates, contribute to the development of psychology? It allowed for natural, rather than supernatural, explanations of behavior and mental illness, paving the way for a scientific approach.
