Conceptual and Historical Issues in Psychology - Essay Example

Abstract For a long time in history, studies of history of psychology have been done in three distinct ways. These domains were as follows: consciousness, psyche, behavior and mental life but every case stood on its own. Psychology was in this case the knowledge domain. Moreover, psychology was composed of various accounts. There was also the case of the society that was composed of views of the world or culture or industrialization. Although the history between these disciplines is not viewed sometimes, there are social aspects that are studied on how they are related to psychology. The often asked question is the relationship between the theories of psychology and its application to human life for instance, individual life, mental life and subjectivity. Presently, efforts by writers to separate the three categories have seen light. Psychology itself cannot exist without a society which supports all its facts. Moreover, psychological object cannot be taken as independent, given, discovered but that which is discovered and comes before knowledge. Psychology can hence be seen in two perspectives: as a discipline and as a subject of human. A conclusion can be made that psychology exists in a domain that is constructed. This is contrary to science domain where truth is constructed. Introduction Science employs an approach of empiricism. This approach states that our senses are the only place from which knowledge originates. This is in contrary to knowledge view that exists that it could be acquired purely by logical argument and reasoning. Hence empiricism views knowledge to be based on experience. Empiricism through gain of knowledge via experience came to be an approach of science and influenced greatly chemistry and physics development. The ideology that the only way to gain knowledge is by acquisition of experience has turned into an enquiry method which uses careful experiments and observation to gather evidence and facts (Benjamin, 2007). The scientific enquiry nature is of two levels: the one that deals with foundation and theory of hypothesis and actual enquiry empirical method. The main method enquiry of empiricism is experiment in science. The crucial feature in the experiment is variables control. Other key features are establishing cause, measurement of objective and effect relationships. Scientific process In the past, science applied induction principles in the world discovery via formulating theories and accurate observation based on observed regularities. An example is Newton’s Law. The observation on physical behavior of objects and production of laws which brought sense to observed objects. Currently the model of hypothetico-deductive has been proposed. The suggestion was that the laws or theories concerning the world comes first and should be applied in generation of hypotheses that is falsified by experiment and observation. Falsification as was pointed out by Popper is the sole way to certainty. Plato’s argument was that there is clarity in difference between soul and body. Also there was a strong belief that behavior is influenced by individual differences and was a major contributor to mental health in that believed the mind required stimulation by arts. Another philosopher also believed that the mind was affected by the body (Brysbaert & Rastle, 2009). Psychological science paused till Rene 1596 writings. He strongly believed in consciousness concept, saying that is what made the difference between animals and humans. There was an argument that the body affected consciousness. From these great works, philosophies on psychology came into existence. Till then there was no distinct incorporation of science into psychology. Psychology took a considerable length of time to become a discipline of science as required time to consolidate. Introspection was employed methodologically. This was the starting point of thoughts on employing scientific methods on behavior investigation. Psychology movement in the adoption of the strategies was behaviorists. They were known for relying on lab experiments that were controlled and rejection of unseen forces to have caused behavior. Later, cognitive psychologists embraced carefully, lab based scientific approach too. Implications of scientific methodology on psychology Psychoanalysis has the understanding and power of behavior. This although, has been blamed to explain only behavior after occurrence of event. It does not predict the future and what is not falsified. Many argue that psychoanalysis approach on the issue is more religious than scientific though its accusation of not being falsified is not solely. Similar to the theories which are hard to refuse, probability that it is right exists (Brennan, 1986). An argument by a philosopher that this theory has the ability to be synthesized and tested scientifically and testable hypothesis. For instance, it was proposed that men that are orally independent would go for large breasts which are a positive correlation though indeed it is opposite. As much the theory of Freudian could be applied for the explanation of this finding, it has been noted that it would have been refused by no link. Behaviorism has economical learning theories if few principles are used in the explanation of various behaviors from acquisition of language to development of morals. It advanced refutable, bold and precise hypotheses and had assumptions that were hard core like environment determinism. The behaviorists believed in the principle of science of orderliness and determinism and hence developed a firmly constant prediction on the probability of likelihood of animal response. These predictions were employed by behaviorists in behavior control of both humans and animals. Scientific approach is also adopted by cognitive psychology. Here, precise models are advanced and experiments are conducted on behavior to either refuse them or confirm them. Full control, prediction and understanding are perhaps unobtainable as a result of environmental complexities, biological and mental influence on even a simple behavior. Therefore, an individual stands a position to note that the implications of scientific methods of psychology are not that easy but various psychological approaches meet the requirements that are accepted by scientific methods. On the other hand, scientific observation tries to support a thesis, observation protocol and a model that pre-exists. Moreover experiments are processes that are carried out with the purpose of materializing theory. In the experiment the object of study is chosen, filtered, purified and then shaped by use of instruments (Callon & Latour, 1981). These instruments are materialized theories. Reality should therefore not be mistaken as baseless or a primitive argument. From this point of view, science is not debunked by its constructed nature that is objected to science. However, all forms of observations irrespective on what it is based on is do not match the everyday thought (Bachelard, 1984) Another thing is that it is categorized by language circulation where concerns are articulated by some terms, dependencies, and solidarities communicated through certain objectives, rhetoric, goals and objectives which are identified in accordance to certain grammar and vocabulary. Another thing is the agents’ enrollment into networks of psychology is comprised of establishment of links between character, nature and the origin of problems faced by people. And formation of a relationship between peoples’ problems, from their solutions can be linked. Thixotropic and mobile relations are; therefore, established between various agents. By adoption of shared problems, vocabularies and definitions of explanation flexible and loose linkages can be in categories of those separated temporarily and spatially, and between spherical events which remain autonomous and distinct (Gergen, 1985). The alliances between consumers and producers, practitioners and researchers of the knowledge of psychology impart specific character to construction process of what counts for psychological knowledge. The present reality on science is the result of the school of thoughts in application, procedures and techniques that are employed to bring out the evidence. This applies to psychology as it applies various theories for instance, psychoanalytic and cognitive theory to try and explain one phenomenon. This show how the thought of science can be used to justify or proof a fact. This is basically a way in which questions on construction means can be posed (Benjamin, 2007). Conclusion In history of psychology, scientific thought have been of great implications. For instance, logic means correct reasoning in psychology. In psychology correct reasoning is justified by good and bad. These good and bad are set by the standards of the society or nature. Scientific thought on the other hand, goes ahead to justify every observation by mere experimentation. With time it is found out that there an implication that the outcome of the experiments has on judgment because many arguments can be correct till proven right. Another example is on statistics where it is implicated in relationships. Reference Bachelard, G. (1984). The New Scientific Spirit. (G. 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