Lesson 11 - American Psychology and Functionalism

What was the focus of Stage One of American Psychology (1640-1776)?

It was concerned with religion and included matters of the soul, focusing on ethics, divinity, and philosophy.

Which philosopher's work influenced early American psychology in Stage One?

John Locke's 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding' (1690) influenced early American psychology.

What was the primary focus of Stage Two of American Psychology (1776-1886)?

Psychology became a separate discipline influenced by Scottish Commonsense Philosophy, emphasizing empirical tradition and valid introspection.

Who was a key member of the Scottish Commonsense Philosophy?

Thomas Reid (1710-96) was a key member who believed sensory information could be accepted at face value.

What significant event occurred in Stage Two of American Psychology?

The notion that God need not be proved logically, as personal feelings could be trusted.

What characterized the U.S. Renaissance period of psychology (1886-1896)?

Psychology was emancipated from religion and philosophy to become an empirical science.

What important publication did John Dewey release in 1886?

He published 'Psychology', which described the new empirical science.

What was the first American psychology journal founded in 1887?

The American Journal of Psychology.

What was the focus of William James's 'Principles of Psychology' published in 1890?

It emphasized individual differences, adaptation to the environment, and practicality.

What did Functionalism oppose in the study of psychology?

Functionalists opposed the sterile search for elements of consciousness, as promoted by Titchener.

What was the main goal of Functionalism in psychology?

To understand the function of the mind rather than merely describe its contents.

How did Functionalists view mental processes?

They believed mental processes had a function, primarily adaptation to the environment.

What did Functionalists aim to apply psychology to?

They aimed to apply psychology to the improvement of personal life, education, and industry.

What areas did Functionalists urge to include in psychological studies?

They urged the study of animals, children, and psychopathology.

What aspect of mental processes and behavior were Functionalists particularly interested in?

They were interested in the 'why' of mental processes and behavior, leading to studies in motivation.

What subjects did Functionalists accept as legitimate for psychology?

They accepted both mental processes and behavior as legitimate subjects for psychology.

What tool did Functionalists consider legitimate for research?

They viewed introspection as a legitimate tool for research.

What was the focus of Functionalists regarding organisms?

They were more interested in what made organisms different than in what made them similar.

Who influenced the Functionalists significantly?

William James and, by extension, Charles Darwin.

What was William James's family background?

He was born into a prominent and wealthy New England family known for their strong abolitionist sentiment.

What negative influence did William James's father have on his family?

His father, Henry James Sr., turned to negativity and alcohol, belittling his children's choices.

What positive aspect did William James's father provide for his children?

He ensured they were well educated and traveled extensively in Europe.

What significant event in William James's family history occurred in 1824?

His grandfather was horribly injured in a fire, leading to amputations and repeated infections.

What was James's initial desire in 1861?

To enlist in the Union Army.

What did William James's father advise him regarding enlisting in the army?

He told James that 'no government is worth the endangerment of your life.'

What subject did William James study at Harvard?

Chemistry.

What health issues did William James suffer from during his time at Harvard?

Back ache, poor eyesight, insomnia, and depression.

What significant event did James undertake in 1867?

He traveled to Germany hoping for a cure at one of the spas.

Who were some notable figures William James met while in Germany?

Fechner, Helmholtz, and Wundt.

What realization did James have about psychology after his trip to Germany?

He became convinced that psychology needed to become a science.

When did William James finish his degree in medicine?

In 1869.

What did James resolve immediately after finishing his medical degree?

To never practice medicine.

What philosophical concept elevated James's mood and interest in the mind?

An essay on free will by Charles-Bernard Renouvier.

What did James conclude about his own thoughts after reading Renouvier's essay?

He realized he was the master of his own thoughts.

What position did James begin teaching at Harvard in 1873?

Anatomy and physiology.

What course did James offer three years after starting to teach at Harvard?

'The Relations Between Physiology and Psychology.'

What was James's academic status by 1885?

He was a full professor of philosophy.

How did James's colleagues view his teaching style?

They thought he was too lenient with students and too given to hyperbole.

What was James's opinion on the scientific side of psychology?

He was ambivalent and rejected it.

What did James think of Wilhelm Wundt's approach to psychology?

He attacked Wundt's interest in experimentalism, calling it dull and businesslike.

What did James sign in 1878 regarding his work on psychology?

A contract with publisher Henry Holt for a book on psychology.

How long did it take James to complete his book, The Principles of Psychology?

Twelve years.

What did James describe The Principles of Psychology as in his letter to the publisher?

'A loathsome, distended, tumefied, bloated, dropsical mass.'

What impact did The Principles of Psychology have on the field?

It became a standard psychology text in both the U.S. and Europe.

What view of consciousness did James accept?

That all animate creatures possessed a form of consciousness dependent on neurological complexity.

What was James's criticism of Titchener and Wundt's approach to consciousness?

He opposed their search for the elements of thought, arguing it was misguided.

What analogy did James use to criticize the reductionist view of consciousness?

He compared it to trying to understand a house by looking at each individual brick.

What are the four characteristics of consciousness according to William James?

1. Personal - it is yours alone; 2. Ever changing - similar to Heraclitus' view; 3. Continuous - cannot be chopped into bits; 4. Selective - we choose where to direct our attention.

How did William James define habits?

Habits are instinct-like patterns of behavior modified by experience, formed through repeated activities that make neural pathways more efficient.

What role do habits play in human behavior according to James?

Habits simplify movements, increase accuracy of behavior, and reduce the need for conscious attention, enabling automaticity in tasks.

What did James mean by 'early choice' in relation to habits?

He believed that early choices shape our actions and that by age 30, our character is set and unlikely to change.

What was James's perspective on the potential for modifying society through understanding habits?

He hoped that understanding how habits are formed could help eliminate war and other societal issues.

What is the moral equivalent of war according to William James?

James called for a positive outlet that satisfies human interests similar to war, to improve society.

What are the five maxims proposed by James for developing good habits and eliminating bad ones?

1. Place yourself in circumstances to eliminate bad habits; 2. Do not act contrary to a new habit; 3. Avoid slow development of habits; 4. Act rather than just intend to change; 5. Force yourself to act beneficially, even if distasteful.

How did James define the self?

The self is 'the me' of personality, encompassing everything one can call their own.

What are the three components of the self according to James?

1. Material self - everything you own; 2. Social self - how others perceive you; 3. Spiritual self - your own states of consciousness.

How did James explain self-esteem?

Self-esteem is influenced by the ratio of our actualities to our supposed potentialities, where success is the numerator and pretentions are the denominator.

What was James's view on the relationship between emotion and bodily reactions?

James reversed the traditional view, proposing that we run from a bear and then feel frightened, emphasizing that bodily reactions shape our emotional experiences.

What did James believe about the nature of instinct?

He viewed instinct as 'blind and invariable,' suggesting that while instinct influences behavior, it is modified by experience to form habits.

How did James view the role of habits in professional athletes and soldiers?

He saw habits as essential for achieving automaticity in performance, enabling them to function effectively in their roles.

What did James mean by the 'flywheel' of society?

He referred to habits as the mechanism that allows society to function smoothly, enabling individuals to perform necessary tasks.

What impact did the 1906 earthquake have on James?

He was appalled by the destruction it caused in San Francisco, having been in a hotel in Palo Alto at the time.

What did James believe about the malleability of character in youth?

He believed that individuals are malleable in youth, but by age 30, their character becomes fixed.

What did James recognize about the nature of mundane life?

He acknowledged the boring aspects of everyday life and sought alternatives that could fulfill the human need for excitement.

What is the significance of repetition in forming habits according to James?

Repetition leads to more efficient neural pathways, making behaviors automatic and less reliant on conscious thought.

How did James suggest one could increase their self-esteem?

By either achieving more success or adjusting their goals to aim for less.

What was James's view on the traditional understanding of emotions?

He challenged the notion that emotions follow perception, arguing instead that bodily reactions precede emotional experiences.

What is the relationship between habits and societal functioning as per James?

He believed that habits enable individuals to navigate life's challenges efficiently, contributing to overall societal stability.

In what context did James discuss the concept of war?

He expressed understanding for the thrill of war and sought a moral equivalent that could channel similar human interests positively.

What does the James-Lange Theory suggest about emotions?

Emotions are based on how we label our physiological reactions to stimuli.

Who were the key figures behind the James-Lange Theory?

William James and Carl Lange.

What therapeutic practice is based on the principles of the James-Lange Theory?

Relaxation therapy.

What philosophical view did William James help develop?

Pragmatism.

What was the main belief of pragmatism according to William James?

Beliefs are true because they work, not the other way around.

How did William James view the relationship between beliefs and personal fulfillment?

If a belief gives joy and personal fulfillment, it should be held, but not imposed on others.

What did James believe could resolve the empiricism/rationalism divide?

Pragmatism.

How did James categorize rationalists and empiricists?

Rationalists as tender-minded (intellectual, idealistic) and empiricists as tough-minded (sensationalistic, naturalistic).

What personal experiences influenced James's views on the meaning of life?

His struggles with psychological issues and the hardships faced by his family.

What did William James mean by 'Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact'?

Believing in the worth of life can influence one's reality and experiences.

What led William James to explore the occult?

His struggle with psychological issues and interest in 'mind cures'.

Who was Leonora Piper?

A trance medium whom William James investigated after the death of his son.

What was the significance of Dr. Phinuit in James's investigations?

Dr. Phinuit was one of Piper's 'controls' and represented a spirit with a different personality.

What caused a controversy regarding Leonora Piper in 1901?

Piper claimed she had no ties to the spirit world and could read sitters telepathically.

How did James react to Piper's 1901 interview?

He felt embarrassed for himself and for colleagues he had referred to her, but continued to see her.

What humorous insight did William James reportedly have while under the influence of nitrous oxide?

He wrote a playful rhyme about the polygamous nature of man and the monogamous nature of woman.

What was the context of James's 'meaning of life' revelation?

It occurred while he was experimenting with nitrous oxide in his office.

What does the rhyme 'Hogamous, Higamous, Man is polygamous...' signify?

It humorously reflects on gender relationships and societal norms regarding monogamy and polygamy.

What was the nature of the group James organized at Harvard in the 1870s?

An eclectic group studying metaphysical issues, including lawyers, historians, and scientists.

What was one outcome of James's group meetings at Harvard?

The development of the philosophical view known as pragmatism.

What was one of the themes explored by James and his group at Harvard?

The relationship of science to religion.

How did James's personal life influence his philosophical outlook?

His experiences with depression in his family led him to seek meaning in life's hardships.

What was James's stance on the practice of mediums?

He defended the right of mediums to practice, despite his skepticism.

What did James believe about the impact of life's hardships?

They could impart a zest for living and provide endurance.

What is William James regarded as in American psychology?

A father figure.

Did William James found a school of psychology?

No, he founded no school and had few immediate followers.

How did William James view himself in relation to psychology?

He regarded himself as a philosopher rather than a psychologist.

What was one of William James's contributions to psychology?

He encouraged the development of applied psychology through his idea of pragmatism.

What are some topics covered in William James's 'Principles of Psychology'?

Consciousness, the self, cognition, emotions, volition, and religion.

What was Hugo Münsterberg's nationality?

German.

Where did Hugo Münsterberg receive his doctorate?

At the University of Leipzig under Wundt.