Contents and approach to the history of psychology

Content of the subject

There are two very different possibilities. The first is that psychology in its proper sense emerges from the beginnings of scientific psychology in the nineteenth century, and this is therefore its starting point. The second view is that although scientific psychology began relatively late, the questions that humanity is trying to answer through this science - for example, what is the relationship between mind and body - have been asked since ancient times, since the Greeks and even earlier, and so the history of psycholoogy should begin at that point.

Approaches to history of psychology

1. Zeitgeist perspective (“spirit of the age”)

Core idea: Ideas come from the time period, not just individuals.

• Scientific ideas are shaped by cultural, social, and scientific context

• Many people in an era think in similar ways

• If one person didn’t propose an idea, someone else would have

• Ideas only emerge when society is ready to accept them

• “The time creates the idea.”

Example:

• Darwin’s evolution theory succeeded because society already believed in progress and change

2. Biographical (Great Person) perspective

Core idea: History is driven by exceptional individuals.

• Progress depends on visionary thinkers

• Without these individuals, key ideas would not exist

• Emphasises creativity, genius, and personal influence

Example:

• Without Freud, psychoanalysis would not exist

Why do we study the history of psychology?

1. Provides perspective and depth

Core idea: Psychological questions are old, not new.

• Modern problems are new versions of old questions

• History shows how ideas evolve, not suddenly appear

2. Identifies recurring questions in psychology

Core idea: Psychology keeps asking the same core questions across time.

Common recurring questions:

• Are humans good or violent by nature?

• What is the relationship between mind and body?

3. Provides a general introduction to psychology

Core idea: History explains where psychology comes from.

• Historical theories introduce major psychological themes

• Helps us understand:

  • Origins of theories

  • Problems they tried to solve

  • Historical context

4. Encourages critical thinking and discrimination

Core idea: History teaches us to evaluate theories, not accept them blindly.

• No theory is perfect

• We must weigh strengths and weaknesses

• Encourages:

  • Discernment

  • Rational evaluation

  • Awareness of human creativity and error

Brief reflections on the history of psychology

Brief Reflections on the History of Psychology 1. Late 19th → Early 20th century: Birth of psychology

Core idea: This is the starting point of psychology as a discipline.

• Considered the genesis of psychology

Emergence of major schools of psychology

Core idea: Shift from description to explanation.

• Aim: create a more explanatory psychology

• Key work: Edwin G. Boring (1929) A History of Experimental Psychology

• Focused on biographies of major figures

• Rejected the Zeitgeist approach

Rise of behaviourism

Core idea: Psychology becomes positivist and ahistorical.

• Strong influence of positivism

• Focus only on:

  • Theories

  • Formal systems (e.g. Hull, Guthrie)

• Heavy use of mathematical reasoning

• Historical and social context ignored

Revival of the history of psychology (after 1960)

Core idea: History becomes important again.

Two main reasons:

a) Decline of behaviourism

• Opened the door to:

  • Humanistic approaches

b) New view of science

• Emergence of non-positivist conceptions of science

• Influenced by Kuhn and Lakatos