Questions and Answers
Who is Herbert Spencer?
The neurotic philosopher who extended Darwinism to Social Darwinism and coined the term 'survival of the fittest'.
What is Social Darwinism?
Applying the theory of evolution to human nature and society, with the belief that human perfection is inevitable if natural processes are not interfered with.
What does synthetic philosophy propose?
Knowledge and experience can be explained in terms of evolutionary principles.
What was William James' goal in psychology?
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What is the title of James' famous book?
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What is the 'stream of consciousness' according to James?
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What methods did James advocate for in psychology?
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What is pragmatism?
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What does the James-Lange Theory of Emotion suggest?
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What are the three components of a person's sense of self according to James?
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What is the significance of habit in James' psychology?
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What was argued about the functional inequality of women?
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What claims were made regarding women's intellectual abilities?
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Who was Mary Whiton Calkins?
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What did Helen Bradford Thompson Wooley's research find?
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What did Leta Stetter Hollingworth's research conclude?
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What were some contributions of Granville Stanley Hall?
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Study Notes
Herbert Spencer
- Philosopher known as the neurotic figure in psychology
- Introduced Social Darwinism, extending Darwin's theory to society
- Coined the phrase "survival of the fittest"
- Formulated synthetic philosophy, linking knowledge to evolutionary principles
Social Darwinism
- Applies evolutionary theory to human behavior and societal dynamics
- Advocates the inevitability of human perfection without interference
- Suggests the concept of allowing the weak to perish for societal progress
Synthetic Philosophy
- Concept that knowledge and experiences can be interpreted through evolutionary frameworks
William James
- Aimed to study adaptation in individuals, emphasizing the function of consciousness in survival
- Precursor to functional psychology without directly founding the discipline
- Noted for inspiring many, yet did not train a significant number of psychologists
- Criticized for interests in topics like mental telepathy and spiritualism
"The Principles of Psychology"
- James's influential book that resonates with students due to its clarity and appeal
- Opposed Wundt’s goals in psychology and provided an alternative view of consciousness
James's Psychology
- Fundamental aspect rests on physical substructures
- Introduced "stream of consciousness," depicting consciousness as a flowing, evolving process
- Key characteristics include its personal, selective, ever-changing nature, and continuity without gaps
Methods of Psychology
- Emphasized introspection as a primary method, supported by verification and comparison of findings
- Recognized experimental methods but claimed functionalism encompasses a variety of approaches
Pragmatism
- Proposes that the practicality of an idea determines its validity through real-world consequences
James-Lange Theory of Emotion
- Theory asserting that behavior precedes the emotional response, altering traditional psychological views
Three-Part Self
- Outlines a person's identity as composed of material, social, and spiritual elements
- Individual choices, such as clothing, impact social recognition and perceptions
Habit
- Describes the physiological aspects of habits, noting that all organisms are essentially "bundles of habits"
- Recognizes the significance of habitual actions on the nervous system and neural adaptability
Functional Inequality of Women
- Explores the variability hypothesis, attributing intellectual disparities to Darwinian male advantages
- Historical exclusion from higher education until the 1830s due to biases around women's intellectual capabilities
Arguments Against Women
- Assertions include that women benefit less from education, have underdeveloped brains, and possess limited talents
- Promoted the notion of women's physical and mental inferiority in historical contexts
Mary Whiton Calkins
- Developed paired-associate technique for memory studies
- Fought against the variability hypothesis and became the first female president of the APA
- Attended Harvard classes without formal enrollment, denied a degree despite academic success
Helen Bradford Thompson Wooley
- Conducted pioneering research challenging sex differences in emotional and intellectual functioning
- Findings suggested environmental influences, rather than inherent differences, shape abilities in genders
Leta Stetter Hollingworth
- Conducted extensive research that disproved the variability hypothesis
- Asserted that social and cultural attitudes, rather than biology, hindered women's progress
- Contested the idea of an intrinsic maternal instinct that restricted women's engagement in other fields
Granville Stanley Hall
- Contributed significantly to the growth of psychology from 1875 to 1900
- Achievements include the first American doctoral degree in psychology and first student in the initial psychology lab
- Instrumental in establishing foundational practices in psychological research and education
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Description
Explore the key concepts introduced by Herbert Spencer and William James, including Social Darwinism and synthetic philosophy. This quiz delves into their contributions to psychology and how they relate to the evolution of societal dynamics and consciousness. Test your understanding of their influential ideas and theories.
