The Human Psyche - Report Example

Journal Entries for the ff P.D. Reynolds -A Primer in Theory Construction. 2. David Hume- An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding 3. Karl Popper-Objective Knowledge 4. T. Kuhn -The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. T. Kuhn 5. After Theory by Terry Eagleton 6. Seven steps of theory Analysis Tina Ricchiazzi DYouville College INTRODUCTION The human psyche indeed has many facets, not all of which are tangible. The subject on a human beings capacity to form complex theories, store perceptions into memory and arrive at ideas, scrutinize ideas and theories, deviate from the standard way of thinking, as well as the formation of ideals, possess both scientific and philosophical nature. Nevertheless its study is still of great importance in order to grasp the dynamics of the cognitive capacities of a human being. P.D. REYNOLDS A theory no matter how abstract it may be presented is still bound by reality, it can be a result of experiments, observations, or simply the product of insights on how something works or how it comes into existence. But ultimately these theories start with a simple idea. DAVID HUME To further delve into the concept of what actually is an idea and what gives birth to it, there is a need to understand its origins. In or daily existence we perceive a lot of things, which are consciously or unconsciously stored in our memory. Different perceptions stored in our minds in the form of memory or imagination mimic the sensations, perceived by the body’s five senses, in so far as representing the perception based on its characteristics. (e.g. how a body shivers whenever feeling cold) But can never fully copy the force of the actual perception felt by the body (Hume, 2008, p.7). Hence we often come across phrases such as “we can almost taste” what a certain food actually tastes like. Otherwise if no such limitation is placed, an individual would be able to transcend the need for physical contact or worse madness may set in. Feeling an emotion is different from thinking how that same emotion felt like. Thus it is worth noting that, of all the thoughts that an individual posses about different subjects that he or she had encountered, it is the vaguest of these thoughts that make a person’s ideas. If an individual does not have a clear perception in mind about a certain subject all the information pertaining to that subject will simply be impressions of the individual. Such impressions can be correct or incorrect, or based on the individuals innate nature or referenced from another impression. Thus we can also come across a phrase like, “I was under the impression” that this was how it was supposed to be done. KARL POPPER Due to an individual’s orientation and or nature one can develop ideas into theories, scientific or non scientific in nature, and through the criticism that these theories yields more objective knowledge as it opens the door to more questions and possibilities for its own improvement or paves the way for it to be debunked. Nonetheless the process of criticizing a theory rather than holding on to its proposed validity ensures that it is cleared of any biases, and false claims thus promoting objectivity even more. T. KUHN Furthermore if a theory can be criticized then it is not farfetched that a deviation from a long standing train of thought brought about by a theory is possible. A paradigm shift, or an event of deviation from a widely known belief founded to incur several anomalies. Hence, a shift is needed, once an established theory is proven to be unprecedented and sufficiently open-ended. Much like in conducting an experiment, in order to prove its validity, repetitive experiments are done to gain acceptance in the research community. There are different kinds of paradigm which can explain parts and parcel of different events. Such weakness prevents them to gain notable success. Paradigm shift is a radical idea in expounding and establishing new concepts that contributes to contemporary beliefs and making them more sophisticated and comprehensive theories. Hence, it disproves pre-conceived notions and it becomes an avenue for contemporary researchers to contest prevailing theories in a certain period of time. Therefore, Paradigm shifts are gateways to filling in research gaps. TERRY EAGLETON Established ideas that gives birth to theories, unless proven to be incorrect or in the absence of any deviation from its train of thought. Tend to become inculcated in an individual or rather a group of individuals mind. Which then would tend to govern the life, and is upheld by an individual. This is what comes to be known as an individual’s ideology. It is worth noting that this mindset is often tied up with politics, and is admittedly a driving force in our society, it however would not suffice to push political machinery but it can definitely be the basis for political agenda, not even the ideology of the ruling class of society can be fully accepted as the sole factor that dictates the kind of politics practiced in a certain society. Liberty in the free world limits the control that ideology can exact on politics in as far its practice is concerned, human desires further loosen its foothold. If there is that possibility that individuals may forego his or her desires for the sake their ideology, then it is not farfetched that the same individuals may forego his or her ideology for the sake their desires. Furthermore with the emergence of different schools of thought there can be no pure ideology, thus we may come across an amalgamation of ideologies, created to suit ones desires and not to propose or impose a radical brand of thinking to change or improve on something. A ruling class in a society may believe in a common goal but due to different desires, no matter what nature it may be, varies the manner on how such a goal is achieved. Thus political leaders may ally themselves with a ruling class in a society sharing the same ideology, on the premise that this is a viable ticket to get elected for office but to further heighten the chance of getting elected a candidate would still rely on other strategies, knowing the adverse effect to the campaign if too much confidence is given to his or her allies. THEORY ANALYSIS From what has been discussed it can be noted that theories must be scrutinized so that a clear path is set for the study that it lays ground work for, This will ensure steady progress and hopefully the success of any study. Moreover, the formation of theories passes through a series steps which involve the “examination of its roots and origins, analysis of concepts or ideas used, the establishment of the theories purpose, ensuring that all elements necessary for the formation of a sound theory are existent, determining how much a developed theory can be utilized to support other phenomena, determining if the elements that comprise the theory is free from ambiguity, and finally ensuring that a theory can generate a hypothesis that can be tested empirically”. Take for example a medical phenomenon known as the “nocebo effect” – “adverse effects, including worsening of medical status or increased negative severity of symptoms due simply to the expectation or suggestion involving some inert treatment”. It further purports that while the mind has the capacity to instruct the body to heal, the mind can also do the opposite. In a study made by Rief et el. It was found that “4% to 26% of patients in the control groups of large pharmaceutical trials of statin drugs discontinued placebo use because of the perception of adverse effects that seemed real to the patient”. Obviously this is possible due to a simple idea that could have been consciously or unconsciously picked up in the course of an individual’s day to day life which suggests that “taking the wrong medicine or taking no medicine at all may do more harm than good”. With this in mind a theory can now be formed theory stating that “nocebo effects can be invoked through the generation of negative expectancy to a phony treatment” . CONCLUSION The dynamics of the cognitive capacities of a human being are truly complex, and as can be clearly seen it is unfolding and intertwined, from storing perceptions, to conceiving ideas to theory formation. It can be further surmised that theories unless criticized or rather scrutinized enough to become actual facts, evolves continually to form other theories, paradigm shifts, and consequently other facts as well. SOURCES: Eagleton, T. (1991). Ideology: an introduction. Verso. Retrieved August 2, 2011, from http://ifile.it/cmfe3w/ebooksclub.org__Ideology__An_Introduction.pdf Hume, D. (2010). Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Retrieved August 2, 2011, from http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdfbits/he1.pdf Popper, K. (1972). Objective Knowledge. Clarendon Press On the Web. Retrieved August 2, 2011, from http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/at/popper.htm Kuhn, T. (1962). The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962). University of Chicago Press On the Web. 1962 http://www.marxists.org/reference/subject/philosophy/works/us/kuhn.htm PD Reynolds http://www.soc.iastate.edu/sapp/soc401theory.html Rief, Winfried PhD; Avorn, Jerry MD; Barsky, Arthur J. MD. 2006 Medication-Attributed Adverse Effects in Placebo Groups. Implications for Assessment of Adverse Effects. Arch Intern Med. 2006; 166:155-160. Read More