Lecture 1

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Questions and Answers

What is the main message conveyed by Professor Frans Verstraten in the text?

Critical thinking skills are not essential in psychology.

Processing information and researching topics are not part of studying psychology.

Studying psychology opens up diverse opportunities beyond mental health. (correct)

Psychology students should focus solely on mental health.

Where did Professor Frans Verstraten serve as a visiting professor in 1999?

Kyoto, Japan

Toronto, Canada (correct)

Montreal, Canada

Trieste, Italy

Which university did Professor Frans Verstraten obtain his PhD from in 1994?

Universita di Trieste, Italy

Harvard University, USA

Utrecht University, NL (correct)

Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen

During which years did Professor Frans Verstraten work at the Royal Society Academy Researcher Biology in Utrecht?

1997-2000 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true based on the text?

Studying psychology enhances critical thinking skills. Signup and view all the answers

Which field did Professor Frans Verstraten NOT work in between 1995 and 2012?

Italy Signup and view all the answers

What did George Santayana mean by the quote 'Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it'?

People who are unaware of historical events are bound to make the same mistakes. Signup and view all the answers

Which academic disciplines are mentioned as part of the interdisciplinary spectrum of Psychology in the text?

Neuroscience, computer science, philosophy Signup and view all the answers

What essential role does authority play in the historical context according to the text?

History relies heavily on authoritative figures and sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which event led to the division of Germany and Berlin into eastern and western parts after World War II?

Cold War tensions Signup and view all the answers

In what way are face-to-face lectures highlighted as beneficial in the text?

They provide the opportunity to ask questions directly to the lecturer. Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized about having good scientific roots according to the text?

It is crucial for ensuring credibility and avoiding errors. Signup and view all the answers

Which academic discipline would you associate with Ibn al-Haytham, also known as Alhazen?

Astronomy Signup and view all the answers

What is the title of the significant translation by the late professor Abdelhamid Ibrahim Sabra?

The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham: On Direct Vision Signup and view all the answers

In which countries were Ibn al-Haytham born and died respectively?

Born in Iraq, died in Egypt Signup and view all the answers

What century did Ibn al-Haytham live in?

10th century Signup and view all the answers

Which Latin name was used to refer to Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn alHasan ibn al-Haytham?

Alhazen Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant book translated by Abdelhamid Ibrahim Sabra related to Ibn al-Haytham?

The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham: On Direct Vision Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of Wilhelm Wundt's first experimental lab in Leipzig?

Investigating how the mind and brain work Signup and view all the answers

Which individual is considered one of the founders of experimental psychology and focused on sensory systems?

Gustav Theodor Fechner Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea behind Gustav Theodor Fechner's work in psychophysics?

Our brain obeys physical rules as a product of evolution Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Psychology according to the text?

Investigating the function of the mind and consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Who trained Wilhelm Wundt, the founder of the first experimental lab in Leipzig?

Supervisors who also had supervisors Signup and view all the answers

What field is considered to have started with the establishment of Wilhelm Wundt's lab?

Experimental Psychology Signup and view all the answers

According to Weber's law, what is the relationship between the change in a stimulus and the original stimulus?

Constant ratio Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by JND in the context of psychophysics?

Just Noticeable Difference Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered to have published 'Elemente der Psychophysik' in 1860?

Weber and Fechner Signup and view all the answers

What is the Weber fraction for a task where a 5 gram difference is noticed between 100 and 105 grams?

$\frac{1}{100}$ Signup and view all the answers

Why is the establishment of Wundt's lab often considered as the starting point of psychology?

Because it marked the beginning of empirical studies in psychology Signup and view all the answers

When applying Weber's law, for which weights would the difference not be noticeable based on a 5/100 Weber fraction?

$100/104$ grams Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Function of Psychology

The aim of psychology is to understand the purpose of the mind and consciousness.
Psychology is more than just mental health; it's about understanding how the mind and brain work.

The Start of Scientific Psychology

The establishment of Wilhelm Wundt's lab in Leipzig in 1879 is considered the start of scientific or academic psychology.
Wundt was interested in understanding how the mind and brain work, rather than focusing on mental health or psychological problems.
He conducted controlled experiments, and students from all over the world came to work with him.

Influential Figures

Ernst Heinrich Weber (1795-1878) was a German physician and one of the founders of experimental psychology.
Gustav Theodor Fechner (1801-1887) is considered the "Godfather of Psychophysics" and focused on sensory systems.

The Importance of History

Understanding history is crucial because it helps us avoid repeating past mistakes and understand the present.
George Santayana's quote "Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it" highlights the importance of historical knowledge.

Alhazen (Ibn al-Haytham)

Alhazen was a 10th-century Arabic scholar who wrote about optics, psychology, and philosophy.
His book, "The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham", was translated by professor Abdelhamid Ibrahim Sabra and contains significant observations about the nature of light and vision.
Alhazen's work is an example of early scientific contributions that are often overlooked.

Weber's Law

Ernst Weber's law, published in 1860, states that the change in a stimulus that will be just noticeable is a constant ratio of the original stimulus.
The law is based on the concept of a "just noticeable difference" (JND) and is used to understand how we perceive differences in stimuli.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the history and philosophical foundations of psychology based on the teachings of Professor Frans Verstraten at the University of Sydney. The quiz may cover topics such as the origins of psychology, major contributors to the field, and key theories in psychology.