PSYC 1000 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Gustav Fechner, Psychophysics, Empiricism

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Anneke Olthof

Document Summary

Philosophical & scientific origins: science is actually a philosophy of knowledge that stems from two fundamental beliefs: Empiricism knowledge comes through experience, we acquire it though experience and interaction with the world. Determinism all events are governed by lawful cause and effect relationships. Psychologists recognize behavior is determined internally & externally, both empirical & deterministic. Philosophical insights into behavior: hippocrates (460-370 bce) developed the first personality classification scheme. 4 fluids/humors; blood, yellow bile, black bile, phlegm --- flowed thorough the body influencing health & personality. Different combinations of these led to specific moods and behaviors: galen (greatest roman physician) refined hippocrates" work suggesting the humors combined to create temperaments/personality characteristics that stay stable throughout lifetime, there were 4 temperaments: Melancholic ( black bile) independent, perfectionist, bit introverted. Phlegmatic (phlegm) quiet, relaxed, content with life. Eugenics movement was based on what researchers want to believe is true not on quality of methods which ultimately lead to mistreatment of many individuals.