PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHY

Ms. WattersMs. Watters

Marlboro High SchoolMarlboro High School

EARLY HISTORYEARLY HISTORY

Myths and legends were used to Myths and legends were used to explain human behaviorexplain human behavior

Examples: Examples: Madness was the result of demonic Madness was the result of demonic

possessionpossession The Gods caused a person to behave The Gods caused a person to behave

abnormallyabnormally Hera caused Hercules to murder his familyHera caused Hercules to murder his family

ORIGINS OF PSYCHOLOGYORIGINS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology begins as philosophy which Psychology begins as philosophy which attempts to explain and understand attempts to explain and understand human behavior by using logic and human behavior by using logic and reasonreason

Knowledge comes from logic, reasoning, Knowledge comes from logic, reasoning, and arguing rather then scientific proofand arguing rather then scientific proof

““Psyche” means soul or conscious mind Psyche” means soul or conscious mind (a life substance)(a life substance)

THE GREEK THE GREEK PHILOSOPHERS…PHILOSOPHERS…

Asked questions like:Asked questions like: Do we have souls?Do we have souls? How are the mind and body connected?How are the mind and body connected? Does the mind rule the emotions?Does the mind rule the emotions?

The Goal of PhilosophyThe Goal of Philosophy

To discover the TRUE causes of To discover the TRUE causes of human behavior…human behavior… Which really means…Which really means…

To understand those unseen processes of To understand those unseen processes of mind which take place in response to mind which take place in response to external events and stimuli.external events and stimuli.

The Philosophers Believed The Philosophers Believed That..That..

Human beings could examine, Human beings could examine, comprehend, and eventually even comprehend, and eventually even guide or control their own thought guide or control their own thought processes, emotions, and resulting processes, emotions, and resulting behaviors.behaviors.

Thales of MiletusThales of Miletus

624-546 BCE624-546 BCE Asked questions about human Asked questions about human

cognitioncognition Believed that the soul is the cause of Believed that the soul is the cause of

motion (behavior)…not the Godsmotion (behavior)…not the Gods Developed the first two steps of the Developed the first two steps of the

Scientific MethodScientific Method ObservationObservation HypothesisHypothesis

AlcmaeonAlcmaeon

Approximately 520 BCEApproximately 520 BCE Proposed that sense organs send Proposed that sense organs send

perceptions to the brain and that we perceptions to the brain and that we interpret and derive ideas from theminterpret and derive ideas from them

He believed that these perceptions He believed that these perceptions traveled along “air channels.”traveled along “air channels.”

ProtagorasProtagoras

485-411 BCE485-411 BCE Believed that since perception is the Believed that since perception is the

only source of knowledge, then there only source of knowledge, then there is no absolute truth is no absolute truth Raises the issue of the subjectivity of Raises the issue of the subjectivity of

perceptionsperceptions

DemocritusDemocritus

460-362 BCE460-362 BCE He was from ThraceHe was from Thrace All matter is composed of invisible particles All matter is composed of invisible particles

linked in different combinationslinked in different combinations His explanation of perception…His explanation of perception…

Every object gives off or imprints on the atoms of Every object gives off or imprints on the atoms of the air images of itself, which travel through the the air images of itself, which travel through the air, reaches the eye of the beholder, and air, reaches the eye of the beholder, and interactsinteracts

All knowledge comes from the interaction of All knowledge comes from the interaction of these transmitted images with the mindthese transmitted images with the mind

HippocratesHippocrates

460-377 BCE460-377 BCE ““Father of Medicine”Father of Medicine” All diseases have natural causesAll diseases have natural causes Physical AND mental illnesses have a Physical AND mental illnesses have a

biochemical basisbiochemical basis Good Health = Balance of HumorsGood Health = Balance of Humors

Humors are phlegm, blood, yellow bile, Humors are phlegm, blood, yellow bile, black bileblack bile

SocratesSocrates

469-399 BCE469-399 BCE Claimed to be the “midwife of thought”Claimed to be the “midwife of thought”

One who helps others give birth to their One who helps others give birth to their ideasideas

Main interest: EthicsMain interest: Ethics Helping others live a virtuous lifeHelping others live a virtuous life

Focus on critical thought Focus on critical thought Goal being to examine one’s own belief Goal being to examine one’s own belief

systemssystems

Socrates continued…Socrates continued…

Method: dialectic (Socratic method)Method: dialectic (Socratic method) Always asking why?Always asking why? We learn through reasonWe learn through reason Use questions to gain truth because Use questions to gain truth because

knowledge is within us and can be knowledge is within us and can be recovered through correct reasoningrecovered through correct reasoning

Beginnings of dualism (mind vs. matter)Beginnings of dualism (mind vs. matter)

Socrates continued…Socrates continued…

Basically what he did was…Basically what he did was… Walked around teaching people how to thinkWalked around teaching people how to think Asked questions in a step by step format Asked questions in a step by step format

until you arrived at the “correct” conclusionuntil you arrived at the “correct” conclusion If he disagreed with your position, he would If he disagreed with your position, he would

continue asking questions until you proved continue asking questions until you proved yourself wrong…yourself wrong…

Young people…very interestedYoung people…very interested Elders of Athens…really ticked them offElders of Athens…really ticked them off

The End of SocratesThe End of Socrates

399 BCE Socrates is charges with 399 BCE Socrates is charges with “corrupting the youth”“corrupting the youth”

Tried and condemned for his teachings by Tried and condemned for his teachings by a jury of 500 Athenian citizens (men)a jury of 500 Athenian citizens (men)

Defended himself by speaking about truth Defended himself by speaking about truth and goodnessand goodness

Given the choice of exile or deathGiven the choice of exile or death Died by drinking hemlock (poison)Died by drinking hemlock (poison) Left NO writingsLeft NO writings

PlatoPlato

427-348 BCE (Died at about 84)427-348 BCE (Died at about 84) Student of Socrates for 8 yearsStudent of Socrates for 8 years Recorded Socrates speechesRecorded Socrates speeches Fled Athens in 399 BCE after the Fled Athens in 399 BCE after the

death of Socratesdeath of Socrates Age 30 at the time of Socrates deathAge 30 at the time of Socrates death Traveled in Egypt and Italy for the next Traveled in Egypt and Italy for the next

12 years12 years

Plato continued…Plato continued…

387 BCE 387 BCE Returns to Athens and founds “The Returns to Athens and founds “The

Academy”Academy” Taught for 40 yearsTaught for 40 years School lasts for another 900 years (until School lasts for another 900 years (until

about 529 AD)about 529 AD)

Used Socratic Method (dialectic) Used Socratic Method (dialectic) while strolling in the gardenswhile strolling in the gardens

Plato Continued…Plato Continued…

Beliefs:Beliefs: True knowledge is arrived at through True knowledge is arrived at through

reasoning (wise men know more than reasoning (wise men know more than ignorant ones)ignorant ones)

Only the wise and good should ruleOnly the wise and good should rule Order is more important than libertyOrder is more important than liberty Conceptual knowledge is innate, reason Conceptual knowledge is innate, reason

discovers itdiscovers it

Plato’s “The Republic”Plato’s “The Republic”

11stst text on political science text on political science Explored different types of government Explored different types of government

and how to avoid political errorsand how to avoid political errors Most famous “section” of “The Most famous “section” of “The

Republic” is..Republic” is.. The Allegory of the CaveThe Allegory of the Cave

Thinly veiled reference to the execution of Thinly veiled reference to the execution of SocratesSocrates

AristotleAristotle

384-322 BCE384-322 BCE Plato’s most distinguished studentPlato’s most distinguished student

Attended the Academy from 17-37Attended the Academy from 17-37 Passed over for director position Passed over for director position

Wrote more than 200 booksWrote more than 200 books Wrote 1Wrote 1stst comprehensive account of comprehensive account of

psychologypsychology Founded his own school, The LyceumFounded his own school, The Lyceum

Aristotle Continued…Aristotle Continued…

Believed in using one’s own senses to Believed in using one’s own senses to discover laws that govern the physical discover laws that govern the physical worldworld

Stressed the importance of inductive Stressed the importance of inductive reasoning reasoning Deriving generalizations from cases or Deriving generalizations from cases or

examplesexamples Developed a classification system for Developed a classification system for

plants and animalsplants and animals

Aristotle continued…Aristotle continued…

Did not believe that the soul is born Did not believe that the soul is born with knowledgewith knowledge We use sense perceptions or We use sense perceptions or

remembered perceptions to arrive at remembered perceptions to arrive at general truthsgeneral truths

Added to the Scientific MethodAdded to the Scientific Method Observation (Thales)Observation (Thales) Hypothesis (Thales)Hypothesis (Thales) Testing (Aristotle)Testing (Aristotle)

Aristotle continued…Aristotle continued…

Developed the concept of syllogismDeveloped the concept of syllogism A set of 3 related statementsA set of 3 related statements

The third statement is a conclusion based on The third statement is a conclusion based on the first two statementsthe first two statements

ExampleExample Athenians are GreeksAthenians are Greeks Socrates is an AthenianSocrates is an Athenian Therefore, Socrates is GreekTherefore, Socrates is Greek

Overall…Overall…

Psychology is a Greek WordPsychology is a Greek Word Psyche (mind/soul)Psyche (mind/soul) Ology (the study of)Ology (the study of)

MistakesMistakes Brain is a big gland that is placed near the nose to cool Brain is a big gland that is placed near the nose to cool

the forces of life that descend from the heavens and the forces of life that descend from the heavens and enter the bodyenter the body

Personality comes from what you have in your bloodPersonality comes from what you have in your blood Black Bile – depression/sadnessBlack Bile – depression/sadness Yellow bile – bitter, angry, hot temperedYellow bile – bitter, angry, hot tempered White fluid – sluggish and dullWhite fluid – sluggish and dull Can be changes through bloodletting (leeches or knife)Can be changes through bloodletting (leeches or knife)

Astrology influences behaviorAstrology influences behavior Position of the planets can predict behaviorPosition of the planets can predict behavior

EpicurusEpicurus

341-270 BCE341-270 BCE There are two passions, There are two passions,

pleasure and pain, which pleasure and pain, which affect every living thingaffect every living thing

PyrrhoPyrrho

360-270 BCE360-270 BCE Perceptions can have errorsPerceptions can have errors

ZenoZeno

336-264 BCE336-264 BCE One can achieve tranquility One can achieve tranquility

through control of the through control of the emotionsemotions

Good life = controlled lifeGood life = controlled life

GalenGalen

130-201 AD130-201 AD Personality is based on Personality is based on

Hippocrates theory of the four Hippocrates theory of the four humorshumors

Bodily health can be affected Bodily health can be affected by the psycheby the psyche

PlotinusPlotinus

205-270 AD205-270 AD Highest wisdom comes when Highest wisdom comes when

the soul slips free in a trance the soul slips free in a trance and perceives the world and perceives the world beyondbeyond

TertullianTertullian

160-239 AD160-239 AD Christian philosopherChristian philosopher The mind is the thinking part The mind is the thinking part

of the soulof the soul

Saint AugustineSaint Augustine

354-430 AD354-430 AD Reconciles reason with the Reconciles reason with the

teachings of the Catholic Churchteachings of the Catholic Church ““Seek not to understand in Seek not to understand in

order to believe, but believe in order to believe, but believe in order to understand”order to understand”

Saint Augustine Saint Augustine continued…continued…

There is a mind-body connection (one There is a mind-body connection (one influences the other)influences the other)

Soul is immortal, leaves body after Soul is immortal, leaves body after deathdeath

High levels of understanding by High levels of understanding by transcending reason through the transcending reason through the introspective contemplation of Godintrospective contemplation of God

Introduces the concept of free will…Introduces the concept of free will…explanation of evilexplanation of evil

Saint Thomas AquinasSaint Thomas Aquinas 1225-1274 AD1225-1274 AD Reconciler of Christian doctrine and Reconciler of Christian doctrine and

AristotelianismAristotelianism Divides psyche intoDivides psyche into

Vegetative (physical functions)Vegetative (physical functions) Rational (memory, reason, intellect)Rational (memory, reason, intellect) Sentient (perception, appetite, locomotion)Sentient (perception, appetite, locomotion)

Infants mind is tabula rasa (blank Infants mind is tabula rasa (blank slate)slate)

DescartesDescartes 1596-1650 AD1596-1650 AD Rationalist philosopherRationalist philosopher

““I think therefore I am”I think therefore I am” Mechanical-Hydraulic theory of behaviorMechanical-Hydraulic theory of behavior

Animal spirits flow from the brain through Animal spirits flow from the brain through the nerves and cause muscles to swell and the nerves and cause muscles to swell and movemove

Higher mental activities are product of Higher mental activities are product of the soulthe soul

Benedict SpinozaBenedict Spinoza 1632-1677 AD1632-1677 AD Jewish philosopherJewish philosopher Condemned by Jewish communityCondemned by Jewish community Used pure reasoning to deduce Used pure reasoning to deduce

the nature of the world, God, and the nature of the world, God, and the mind.the mind.

Everything can be understood Everything can be understood through reasonthrough reason

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes 1588-16791588-1679 ““All men are naturally the enemy All men are naturally the enemy

of other men”of other men” All mental activities must be All mental activities must be

motions of atoms in the nervous motions of atoms in the nervous system, and the brain reacting to system, and the brain reacting to the motions of atoms in the the motions of atoms in the external worldexternal world

John LockeJohn Locke 1632-1704 AD1632-1704 AD ““Essay Concerning Human Understanding” Essay Concerning Human Understanding”

(1670)(1670) Examined experiences of people of varying Examined experiences of people of varying

ages to find out what events, in what ages to find out what events, in what sequence, produce knowledgesequence, produce knowledge

Knowledge is NOT innate (tabula rasa)Knowledge is NOT innate (tabula rasa) Two sources of the mind’s ideasTwo sources of the mind’s ideas

Sensation – informationSensation – information Perception – processingPerception – processing

BerkeleyBerkeley

1685-1753 AD1685-1753 AD Sight does not give information Sight does not give information

alone, repeated experiences alone, repeated experiences create associationscreate associations

Wrote “An Essay Towards a Wrote “An Essay Towards a New Theory of Vision” (1709)New Theory of Vision” (1709)

HumeHume

1711-1776 AD1711-1776 AD We cannot experience We cannot experience

causality directly, and cannot causality directly, and cannot know what it is or even prove know what it is or even prove that it existsthat it exists

KantKant

1724-1804 AD1724-1804 AD Causality is not self-evident Causality is not self-evident

but we CAN understand the but we CAN understand the world around usworld around us

The mind organizes The mind organizes perceptions into knowledgeperceptions into knowledge

Dr. Franz MesmerDr. Franz Mesmer

1734-1815 AD1734-1815 AD Magnetic fields need to be Magnetic fields need to be

realigned in the bodyrealigned in the body Used hypnosis and “drama”Used hypnosis and “drama” Shows the power of Shows the power of

suggestionsuggestion

GallGall

1758-1828 AD1758-1828 AD PhrenologyPhrenology

The study of traits/personality The study of traits/personality by studying the bumps on the by studying the bumps on the headhead

Looking for hyper development Looking for hyper development of areasof areas

BrocaBroca

Worked with “Tan” whom he Worked with “Tan” whom he later autopsiedlater autopsied

Discovered left side of the Discovered left side of the brain was damagedbrain was damaged

Discovered Broca’s Area – Discovered Broca’s Area – syntax area for speechsyntax area for speech

WernickeWernicke

Worked with patients that Worked with patients that could use words, but not in could use words, but not in the correct waythe correct way

Discovered Wernicke’s Area Discovered Wernicke’s Area (Controls semantics)(Controls semantics)

MullerMuller

1801-1858 AD1801-1858 AD Concept of the nerve impulseConcept of the nerve impulse Perceptions that are sent to Perceptions that are sent to

the brain are sent as the brain are sent as impulsesimpulses

WeberWeber

1795 AD1795 AD Concept of “just noticeable Concept of “just noticeable

difference” (jnd)difference” (jnd) Proved through Proved through

experimentationexperimentation

Herman HelmholtzHerman Helmholtz 1821-1894 AD1821-1894 AD Experimented to see how fast a Experimented to see how fast a

nerve impulse travelsnerve impulse travels Developed theory of color visionDeveloped theory of color vision Looked a differentiation between Looked a differentiation between

sensation and perceptionsensation and perception

DondersDonders

1818-1889 AD1818-1889 AD The lag between a stimulus The lag between a stimulus

and voluntary response is due and voluntary response is due to nerve transmission and to nerve transmission and thought processesthought processes

FechnerFechner

1801-18871801-1887 Searched for a mathematical Searched for a mathematical

relationship between stimuli relationship between stimuli and sensationsand sensations

Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt 1832-1920 AD1832-1920 AD ““Father of Psychology”Father of Psychology” Opened the first psychology lab Opened the first psychology lab

in Leipzig Germany in 1879in Leipzig Germany in 1879 Mental processes can be Mental processes can be

experimentally studiedexperimentally studied Used process of introspectionUsed process of introspection

Precise method of “looking within”Precise method of “looking within”

EbbinghausEbbinghaus

1850-19091850-1909 Conducted memory Conducted memory

experiments using nonsense experiments using nonsense wordswords Takes previous knowledge out Takes previous knowledge out

of playof play

William JamesWilliam James

1842-1910 AD1842-1910 AD Wrote the 1Wrote the 1stst psychology psychology

textbooktextbook ““Principles of Psychology”Principles of Psychology”

Conducted some experimentsConducted some experiments Creator of functionalismCreator of functionalism

FunctionalismFunctionalism Influenced by DarwinInfluenced by Darwin The minds complex processed had The minds complex processed had

evolved because of their life-preserving evolved because of their life-preserving functionsfunctions

Consciousness is a function, not a thingConsciousness is a function, not a thing Studied by stream of consciousness Studied by stream of consciousness

analysisanalysis The will is a conscious process that The will is a conscious process that

directs voluntary movementdirects voluntary movement

NON-WESTERN NON-WESTERN PHILOSOPHYPHILOSOPHY

Other cultures also have an Other cultures also have an influence on psychologyinfluence on psychology

Lao-TzuLao-Tzu 575 BCE575 BCE The “Do-nothing” SageThe “Do-nothing” Sage Wrote the Tao te ChingWrote the Tao te Ching

Often speaks in terms of opposites Often speaks in terms of opposites (contradictions)(contradictions)

People should follow the Tao through People should follow the Tao through the wu wei…the wu wei…

Allow nature to take it’s course and not force Allow nature to take it’s course and not force actions on yourself or others..balance will actions on yourself or others..balance will eventually be restoredeventually be restored

ConfuciusConfucius 551-479 BCE551-479 BCE Promoted social order based on humanity Promoted social order based on humanity

(benevolence), custom, and personal (benevolence), custom, and personal moral cultivation.moral cultivation.

People should follow the chung-yung, or People should follow the chung-yung, or Golden Mean (moderation, normality, and Golden Mean (moderation, normality, and universal moral law)universal moral law)

Everyone has a role to fill in society and it Everyone has a role to fill in society and it is your responsibility to do so no matter is your responsibility to do so no matter what it is.what it is.

Siddhartha Gautama Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha)(Buddha)

Change, including death and decay, Change, including death and decay, is universal, natural, and is universal, natural, and inescapableinescapable

Human life is sufferingHuman life is suffering One can escape suffering by not One can escape suffering by not

focusing on one’s self, following the focusing on one’s self, following the Middle Path, and helping othersMiddle Path, and helping others

The goal is to achieve nirvanaThe goal is to achieve nirvana