Psychology and Computer Science Quiz

Intellectual Revolutions

• Intellectual revolutions are periods marked by paradigm shifts, challenging widely accepted scientific beliefs.
• These shifts often lead to major changes in societal understanding and perspectives.

The Copernican Revolution

• Ptolemy's geocentric model, placing Earth at the center of the universe, was widely accepted in the 6th century.
• Nicholas Copernicus (1473-1543) proposed the heliocentric model, putting the Sun at the center.
• Copernicus introduced the heliocentric model in a 40-page outline.
• This model was detailed in De Revolutionibus Orbium Coelestium (The Revolution of Celestial Spheres).
• This publication occurred in 1543.
• Copernicus repositioned Earth, making it revolve around its own axis.
• Copernicus's model challenged the established geocentric view, creating controversy.
• Supporting observations by Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, Galileo, and Newton ultimately solidified the heliocentric model.

The Darwinian Revolution

• Charles Darwin (1809-1882) is known for 'evolution by natural selection.'
• Darwin detailed this work in the 1859 book, On the Origin of Species.
• The theory of evolution describes how organisms change over time due to changes in heritable traits.
• Key aspect: Organisms adapt to their environment to improve survival and reproduction.
• This concept suggests all life on Earth is interconnected and modified through natural selection.

The Freudian Revolution

• Sigmund Freud was a major figure in this intellectual revolution.
• Freud's works popularized psychoanalysis.
• Psychoanalysis is a method to understand the inner and unconscious conflicts within a person. Understanding is achieved through individual dreams, free associations, and fantasies.
• Key psychoanalytic concepts include psychosexual development, libido, and the ego.
• Critics of psychoanalysis questioned its scientific validity.

Information Revolution

• Alan Turing's machine influenced the understanding of thinking and consciousness as non-exclusively human capabilities.
• This signifies a revolution in understanding what intelligence might be outside human beings.
• Computers, as programmable machines executing arithmetic and logical operations can be attributed to this revolution.
• This concept began from the Sumerian pictographs; the invention of the printing press to the invention of the typewriter and telegraph.

Mesoamerican Civilizations & Inventions

• The Aztecs had a powerful military.
• Aztecs used chinampas, small fertile areas for growing crops in shallow lakes.
• Maya developed an accurate calendar.
• Incas used quipu for record-keeping.
• Inca developed the mita system, a labor network/service for road and bridge construction and agricultural cultivation.
• The Mayan Ball Game uses rubber.
• The Arab watermills known as Noria that improve upon Roman principles.
• The Arab invented and improved more sophisticated water-powered mechanisms.
• Coffee was established as a popular consumable drink in Arabia.
• Various advancements in technologies were developed.

African Inventions

• Africa is notable for kola nut and coffee production.
• Evidence suggests that ancient African societies used plants and had highly developed medical practices (including autopsies and c-sections).
• Developed technologies involved drainage, construction, desalination and irrigation.
• Ancient African societies were also advanced in metallurgy.

Asian Inventions

• Traditional Chinese medicine includes acupuncture and herbal medicine.
• The four inventions of ancient China are the compass, gunpowder, papermaking, and printing.
• Other discoveries involve alchemy (Taoist chemistry).

Test your knowledge on key concepts from Freud's psychoanalysis and foundational innovations in computer science. This quiz includes questions about theories, historical figures, and significant contributions to both fields. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these important topics!