History of Psychology - Essay Example

History of Psychology Psychology, Project I November 9, 2009 History of Psychology Introduction Psychology is the study ofmental processes, basically of human beings. The history of psychology starts from the earliest of civilizations- the time since humans began to recognize individuality. It is said that humans are social animals. We became social when we started agriculture. Since that time, there have been reasons to understand human behavior. Agriculture was the first joint activity as humans, as distinct from the brutal joint activity of hunting. This paper will cover the evolution of psychology over thinkers of the last century who shaped the perspective of psychology as a science. The paper will do this by examining 1. One of the philosophers instrumental in creating modern psychological thought. 2. One of the scientists who contributed significantly contributed to the field of psychology. 3. Their inspirations and contributions to psychology as we know it today. 4. Whether their theories stood the test of time, if not, what was proved wrong? John Stuart Mill- Philosopher/Psychologist One of the most influential philosophers of 19th century was John Stuart Mill, whose father James Mill was also a philosopher. From a very early age, Mill was molded into becoming a man of letters, and his prodigious literary output and the endurance of his ideas has proved that his rigorous education had yielded the intended result. Mill did not write any book on psychology. However, he edited his father’s authoritative work, “Analysis of Phenomena of Human Mind.” Mill John Stuart(editor): An Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind. 1869 London : Longmans, Green and Dyer, http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/m/milljs.htm#SH2c Mill was a reformist also, and had great regard for individual freedom. His On Liberty is a classic both as literature and as a document propounding a particular idea, Mautner Thomas (editor) The Penguin Dictionary of Philosophy year not mentioned, Penguin ISBN 0-14-051250-0 Retrieved on November 20 th, 2009 from : http://www.utilitarianism.com/jsmill.htm. The original essay, later expanded to become a book, is also a glowing example of his understanding of psychology both individual and collective. Mill was influenced primarily by his father, and later on propounded the Associationist school of psychology. The Associationists assert that one thought of a person is followed by another thought through association of the earlier thought with the later thought. This might be so because of the similarity of first idea with another idea or thought previously experienced. For example, one might be prompted into thinking of his childhood upon hearing his favorite school ditty. Or somebody may remember a relative’s death upon hearing a song which was on radio at the time of funeral. Feelings are a result of experience, and one comes to associate particular feelings with similar experiences. Repetition of feelings create mindset, and it is in this manner that psychology of an individual is shaped. Hence if experience is changed, the mind can also change. The shaping of this idea into a potent argument was a major contribution of Mill to modern psychology. The reform school in law advocates that criminals should be reformed instead of being punished. In newer times, physiological psychologists have argued that the seat of the mental processes lies more in the brain i.e. to say that the brain itself is more influential in prompting behavior in an individual than his environment. However, despite there being criticism of his works, Mill’s ideas are still respected and used in the study of psychology. However, Wilhelm Wundt, considered the father of psychology was and is considered father of Psychology. Dr. C. George Boerree. William Wundt and William James http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/wundtjames.html He quoted John Stuart Mills System of logic, which influenced his early theory and practice of experiment. (Schmidgen, Henning. 2003). Wundt as Chemist? A Fresh Look at his Practice and Theory of Experimentation. American Journal of Psychology. 116 (3). 469-476.) William Wundt- Psychological Scientist Wilhelm Wundt and William James are the most influential figures in the field of psychology. Wundt was a German who was the first person to be called a psychologist. He taught physiological psychology, having coined the term himself. He was inspired by Spinoza, and believed in Spinoza’s theory of psychological parallelism, which holds that there is a mental counterpart to every physical event and vice versa. He set up psychology as a separate branch of science. Amongst his contributions to the science of psychology is his use of experimental methods in order to understand complex processes of the human psyche. In a particular method he called experimental introspection, the researcher would observe a simple event, and record his reactions to variations of the same events. Although the experiment was difficult to report, as there were chances of perception of the reaction being different from the reaction itself, Wundt himself ensured that strict laboratory conditions were maintained in the experiments and their reporting. In 1883, Wundt started teaching a new subject which he called Experimental Psychology. He also got assigned a room for carrying out his own research, the same year William James established a lab. He trained many students who rose to fame in their own right. Pavlov was one of the notable students who achieved fame and recognition of their work in their lifetime. Wundt was never given his due as a scientist. In fact, Wundt’s ideas regarding his new science were not widely accepted. There was not much positive talk about his discoveries. (Hevern, 2003) After his retirement in 1915, he kept on writing. In 1920 he wrote his autobiography, and died a short time afterwards. Later on in his life, Wundt became interested in the socio-cultural psychology. Contrary to popular opinion Wundt did realize the limitations of experimental psychology. He understood that all aspects of psychology are not amenable to experiments. Wundt may not have been recognized in his lifetime, but today he is almost unanimously considered to be the founder of psychology. His experimental psychology was used by Pavlov to achieve worldwide fame. His work has spawned a huge industry in which psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists and laymen write columns and books on this or that aspect of human behavioral science, which is the trendy name for psychology today. Conclusion Mill is still as influential as he was at the turn of the last century. His works continue to be popular. His ideas of human reform are still valid. Indeed his thoughts have been the basis of the reform school of Law. His ideas were not original, but he propounded the ideas of his predecessors in the field of epistemology, an evolved form of which is now called psychology. His expression of his ideas was in English was free of philosophical jargon. His writing did much for philosophical ideas to be appreciated and accepted by public at large. He was gifted with a ability, rare in that era, of lucid language, and a sense of what would be understood by the readers in general. But his lucidity itself was criticized Although the lucidity remains, its span is seen to be somewhat limited, and one sometimes has the uneasy feeling that he is being equally lucid on both sides of a question. Anschutz, Richard Paul, Ed. Biography of John Stuart Mill http://www.biography.com/articles/John-Stuart-Mill-9408210?part=0) His Utilitarianism included pleasure of imagination and gratification of higher emotions. Mill as a psychologist was much influential in understanding human behavior in politics and economics. His early training as a scholar in general and his maturing into a philosopher in his own right ensured that his ideas were expressed so as to make people accept his notions as to the psychology of the individual and the society. He was the first philosopher to distinguish between reasons for individual and social reactions to given situations. Mill also influenced popular opinion against condemning criminals as bad individuals. Rather, he asserted, they were conditioned in a wrong manner, and hence they had turned to crime. This is his lasting contribution to psychology. Wundt has a different reception now than he had during his lifetime. He did not receive acclaim throughout his life, as he was a scientist as opposed to a philosopher. Scientists are often teachers. Wundt was also a teacher with a job and specific duties. So he could not propagate his work in the way thinkers/philosophers could. However, the academic circles took notice of his efforts. He was given all facilities in the University where he worked. Wundt was instrumental in the recognition of psychology as a branch of science. Wundt never discussed the relationship between soul and the body. His base for study of psychology was experience. Thus, he avoided controversy regarding philosophical ideas of the functioning mind. (Wilhelm Wundt, Father of Psychology) http://www.wilhelmwundt.com/wilhelm-wundt-psyhology p.6 References: 1. “Analysis of Phenomena of Human Mind.” Mill John Stuart(editor): An Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind. 1869 London : Longmans, Green and Dyer, http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/m/milljs.htm#SH2c 2. Dr. C. George Boerree. William Wundt and William James http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/wundtjames.html 3. Schmidgen, Henning. 2003. Wundt as Chemist? A Fresh Look at his Practice and Theory of Experimentation. American Journal of Psychology. 116 (3). 469-476.) 4. http://www.psychology.sbc.edu/Wundt.htm 5. http://www.biography.com/articles/John-Stuart-Mill-9408210?part=0 6. Wilhelm Wundt, Father of Psychology Page 6 on http://www.wilhelmwundt.com/wilhelm-wundt-psyhology6.php Read More