philosophers and early experementalists Flashcards
(26 cards)
What does the term psychology derive from?
Psyche (mind/soul) and logia (to study)
Psychology is less than 200 years old, but the study of human nature is much older.
What significant shift occurred with the development of Greek science?
A more naturalistic view of the mind emerged
This shift laid the groundwork for other scientific processes.
What is the difference between appearance and reality as explored by Greek philosophers?
There can be a difference; for example, sticks appear bent in water but are straight
This raises the question of which should be trusted.
What is Plato’s view on the reliability of senses?
Senses can be deceiving and should not be trusted
Instead, logical reasoning should be used to understand reality.
What does the Allegory of the Cave illustrate?
Prisoners see shadows as their reality, representing limited understanding
The cave symbolizes the human condition and resistance to new ideas.
What is empiricism?
The belief that knowledge comes from sensory perception and observation
This contrasts with rationalism.
Who was Aristotle and what was his contribution to psychology?
An empiricist who gained knowledge through observation and analysis
He studied living things and defined the soul as that which animates matter.
What is mind-body dualism as proposed by Rene Descartes?
The mind and matter are fundamentally different; the mind thinks but does not occupy space
Descartes famously stated, ‘I think therefore I am.’
What is John Locke’s theory about knowledge acquisition?
We are born as a blank slate and shaped by experiences
This is central to the nature vs nurture debate.
What are primary and secondary qualities according to John Locke?
- Primary qualities: objective physical properties (e.g. heat from the sun)
- Secondary qualities: subjective mental experiences (e.g. color of the sun)
What did David Hume suggest about morality?
Morality originates from emotion, not logic
He argued that we rationalize our emotional convictions.
What is the problem of falsifiability as illustrated by Hume’s analogy of swans?
Just because all observed swans are white does not mean all swans are white
The sighting of a single black swan refutes the claim.
What major shift in thinking occurred in the 19th century regarding personality?
Personality was seen as changeable rather than fixed
This led to the rise of materialism.
What is psychometrics?
The science of measuring mental faculties
It includes measuring intelligence and personality.
Who is considered the father of psychometrics?
Sir Francis Galton
He made significant contributions to statistics and psychology.
What is the Galton board used for?
To demonstrate how binomial distribution approximates a normal distribution
It provides insight into regression to the mean.
What is eugenics as proposed by Galton?
Improving the human race by selective breeding
Galton believed humans could be bred for specific characteristics.
What was the first usable intelligence test and who created it?
The Binet-Simon scale, constructed by Binet and Simon in 1905
It comprised 30 items with increasing difficulty.
What did Franz Joseph Gall contribute to psychology?
He discovered nerve fibres passing between brain hemispheres
He is known for his work in comparative anatomy.
What is phrenology?
The belief that specific brain areas correspond to specific faculties
This idea was discredited but based on empirical observations.
What are absolute and relative thresholds in psychophysics?
- Absolute thresholds: smallest quantity giving sensation
- Relative thresholds: smallest noticeable change in stimulus
Who discovered the rate of neural conduction?
Hermann von Helmholtz
He calculated it to be 25 meters per second.
What is Wundt known for in psychology?
Considered the founder of experimental psychology
He established the first experimental psychology lab in Germany.
What is introspection according to Wundt?
Internal observation of conscious experience
It involves systematic observation and reporting of mental processes.
