Prescientific Psychology Flashcards
How has interest in psychology served evolutionary advantages
the ability to understand and anticipate the behaviour of others is important for survival
describe how psychology has existed since the beginning of human history
life expectancy was very low and life was beset with hardships and danger –> people were still in need of human comfort, reassurance, empathy and guidance –> psychologists practiced under the title sorcerer, wizard, charmer, shaman, medicine man, enchanter, seer or priest
describe the trade of psychology at the start of human history
psychologists practiced under the title sorcerer, wizard, charmer, shaman, medicine man, enchanter, seer or priest –> the trade involved a combination of medicine, religion and psychology
describe the authority of “psychologists” at the beginning of human history
they often held positions of authority and respect within tribes, but they could lose their social standing and even their lives if they were judged incompetent or ineffective in their healing arts
What year was psychology deemed a science
it is a 19th century invention (even though technically it dates back earlier than this)
what is “modern psychology” synonymous with
scientific psychology
what event dates the beginning of modern psychology
the establishment of Wundt’s laboratory in Germany (1879) –> historically salient event for psychology
when did new psychological laboratories begin their appearance in North America
the last two decades of the nineteenth century –> Johns Hopkins university, indiana university, university of wisconsin, etc.
where was the first new psychology laboratory in canada
the university of toronto (1891)
what were the “two psychologies” of the 19th century
- the practice of psychology (which has been around since dawn of human history)
- mental philosophy
describe phrenologists
measured the shape of the skull of clients, looking for bumps and indentations that signified talents or deficiencies
describe physiognomists
studied contours and features of clients’ faces to determine personality traits and abilities based on shape of person’s nose, height of cheekbones and distance between eyes
describe mesmerists
used forms of hypnosis to encourage changes in clients’ behaviours
describe seers and clairvoyants
claimed to predict the future and advise clients about their current and future actions
describe graphologists
made psychological assessments based on the characteristics of their clients’ handwriting
describe the commonality between all practitioners of “psychology” in early history
they were self-trained and used “scientific” methods, and all sought to help their clients with depression, marital relations, parenting, job satisfaction, anxiety, vocational choices, etc. –> did not have the credibility in the community of higher learning which is why “mental philosophy” began
where did mental philosophy originate
it has English and Scottish origins
describe some of the major figures of mental philosophy in the 19th century
John Locke, David Hume, George Berkeley, Thomas Reid, Dugald Stewart
what was the focus of mental philosophy
it was influenced by British empiricism and thus focussed on sensation and perception –> these were considered properties of the intellect (in addition to attention, learning, memory and thinking and also emotions called ‘sensibilities” and will)
describe the tripartite treatment of mental philosophy
intellect (perception, sensation, etc.), sensibility (emotions) and will
what is the main difference between psychological practice and mental philosophy
psychological practice was public while mental philosophy was academic
what was the legitimacy of psychology threatened by in the 19th century
public “practicing” psychologies that were seen as unscientific –> clear boundaries were established to distance these types of psychology from true sciences of human behaviour
how were people publicly introduced to psychology
books, newspaper and magazine stories, advertisements and signs for psychological services –> people wanted assistance from those with special knowledge or talents to help them identify their strengths and improve on their personal weaknesses, help them choose a good life partner, etc.
Describe the contribution of Gall to psychology
he initiated phrenology (examining a client’s head and making pronouncements about their personality abilities and intelligence) –> Gall believed different parts of the brain were responsible for different intellectual, emotional and behavioural functions
what were some key “indicators” in phrenology
a bump in the skull would indicate overdevelopment of a part of the brain, and indentation would indicate underdevelopment
according to Gall, where were “destructiveness”, “selfishness” and “spirituality” represented on the skull
- destructiveness was above the left ear while selfishness was above the right ear
- spirituality and benevolence was measured at the top of the head
- parental love, friendship and love of animals was measured at the back of the head
who spread Gall’s ideas to North America
Johann Spurzheim and George Combe
What did phrenologists offer to clients
identification of talents and dispositions, and more importantly a plan of action designed to strengthen the weaker faculties in order to provide greater happiness and success in life
