The Soul and Psychology: Chapter 1, Lecture 1

Vocabulary flashcards based on Chapter 1, Lecture 1 of Psychology A01, covering early philosophical and scientific perspectives on the soul, mind, and the foundations of psychology.

Scientific Pursuit (of behavior)

The assumption that the behavior of something conforms to natural laws that can be understood, specified, and used to predict future behavior.

Soul (in psychology context)

Spiritual entities that do not conform to natural laws, thus considered unsuitable for scientific study.

Animism

A concept referenced historically alongside magic, falling rocks, and volcano-bound virgins.

Dualism

A philosophical concept, introduced by René Descartes, suggesting a separation between mind and body.

Cartesian Dualism

René Descartes' theory proposing that humans are a machine controlled by a soul.

René Descartes

Philosopher (1596-1650) known for proposing Cartesian Dualism.

John Locke

Philosopher (1632-1704) associated with the ideas of "Mind is Machine," Materialism, La Table Rassa, and Empiricism.

James Mill

Philosopher (1773-1836) associated with the ideas of "Mind is Machine" and Materialism.

Mind is Machine

A concept suggesting that the mind operates akin to a machine.

Materialism

A philosophical view associated with the idea that the mind is a machine.

La Table Rassa

A concept, attributed to John Locke, implying the mind begins as a "blank slate."

Empiricism

A concept, attributed to John Locke, emphasizing knowledge derived from sensory experience.

Luigi Galvani

Scientist (1737-1798) whose work contributed to the scientific understanding of physiological processes.

Johannes Muller

Scientist (1801-1858) known for the Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies.

Doctrine of Specific Nerve Energies

Johannes Muller's concept stating that the quality of a sensation depends on which nerve is stimulated, not on the stimulus itself.

Pierre Florens

Scientist (1774-1867) known for his use of Ablation Studies to understand brain function.

Ablation Studies

A research method involving the removal of brain tissue to investigate its function, associated with Pierre Florens.

Paul Broca

Scientist (1824-1880) known for his work on the Localization of Language in the brain.

Localization of Language

The concept that specific areas of the brain are responsible for language functions, identified by Paul Broca.