Philosophy of Herbert Spencer and William James

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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?

To study people as they adapt and to understand the function of consciousness as related to survival. Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of James' famous book?

'The Principles of Psychology' Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'stream of consciousness' according to James?

An idea that consciousness is a continually flowing process that is personal, selective, ever-changing, and continuous. Signup and view all the answers

What methods did James advocate for in psychology?

Introspection as a basic method, verified by checks and comparative findings, with no single restricted method. Signup and view all the answers

What is pragmatism?

The validity of an idea must be tested by its practical consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the James-Lange Theory of Emotion suggest?

Behavior occurs before the emotional response. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three components of a person's sense of self according to James?

Material, social, and spiritual. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of habit in James' psychology?

Habit influences physiological responses and reflects the idea that all living creatures are 'bundles of habits'. Signup and view all the answers

What was argued about the functional inequality of women?

It was based on the variability hypothesis, which falsely claimed men had superior intellectual capabilities. Signup and view all the answers

What claims were made regarding women's intellectual abilities?

Women were said to be less likely to benefit from education, achieve intellectually, and possess evolved brains. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mary Whiton Calkins?

A psychologist who developed the paired-associate technique for studying memory and became the first woman president of the APA. Signup and view all the answers

What did Helen Bradford Thompson Wooley's research find?

No significant sex differences in emotional functioning and only minor differences in intellectual abilities. Signup and view all the answers

What did Leta Stetter Hollingworth's research conclude?

The variability hypothesis was refuted, attributing the lag of women in society to social and cultural attitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What were some contributions of Granville Stanley Hall?

He was a pioneer in psychology in America, earning several firsts such as the first American doctoral degree in psychology. Signup and view all the answers

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

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.