Roots of Psychology & Paradigm Shifts

Roots of Psychology & Paradigm Shifts

Learning Unit 1 focuses on the roots of psychology and the paradigm shifts that have shaped the field.

Chapter 1: Psychology for Teachers

This section refers to Chapter 1, pages 4-10 of "Psychology for Teachers" (Third Edition) by Paul Castle & Scott Buckler, highlighting the importance of psychology in education. Online resources are available.

Learning Outcomes

This section specifies the intended learning outcomes:

  • LO1: Motivate the importance of psychology in educational practices.

  • LO2: Use examples to highlight the importance of perspective and perspective-taking in psychology.

  • LO3: Briefly discuss rationalism and empiricism as the philosophical foundations from which psychology emerged.

  • LO3: Explain how Empiricism can be used as a technique in a classroom situation

  • LO4: Apply Structuralism and Functionalism as two key approaches of modern Psychology.

ICE Task 2: Terminology

This section consists of defining different terms:

  1. psychology

  2. philosophy

  3. perspective

  4. systematic

  5. introspection

THEME 1: Psychology & Education

Motivating the Importance of Psychology in Educational Practices

This theme emphasizes the relevance of psychology for educators. A case study involving Ms. Kgomotso and a discussion of Educational Theories 101 are mentioned.

Perspective & Paradigms

A perspective represents an orientation towards something using a particular focus. It highlights the idea that people tend to see what they want to see. Paradigms evolve over time as evidence accumulates and academic thinking shifts.

FRATKOM and F: RATKO MVAR are noted, though their significance isn't immediately clear without further context.

Multiple Perspectives

This section uses the visual of "SIX" and "NINE" to exemplify that different viewpoints can both be correct. The importance of understanding perspectives from different sides.

THEME 2: Where did Psychology come from?

This theme explores the origins of psychology, referencing:

  • Rationalism

  • Empiricism

Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives

The following perspectives are listed:

  • Animism

  • Rationalism/Cartesian Dualism

  • Empiricism

  • Structuralism vs. Functionalism

  • Psychodynamic Perspective

  • Behaviourist Perspective

  • Humanist Perspective

  • Cognitive Perspective

  • Psychobiological Perspective

  • Evolutionary Perspective

The importance of identifying key proponents of each paradigm and their application to education is emphasized.

Rationalism/'Cartesian' Dualism

This section focuses on Rationalism as a paradigm and its contributions to modern psychology, referencing deductive reasoning/arguments and Tabula Rasa.

Empiricism

This section discusses how Empiricism can be used as a technique in a classroom situation, referencing deductive reasoning/arguments and Tabula Rasa.

Rationalism vs. Empiricism

A case study titled "Inside the Classroom" is mentioned to illustrate the differences and applications of rationalism and empiricism.

Structuralism & Functionalism

These are presented as two key approaches by:

  • Wilhelm Wundt

  • William James

Structuralism vs. Functionalism

  • Wilhelm Wundt (1832 - 1920)

    • Considered the father of modern scientific psychology, as he separated psychology from philosophy.

    • Focused on the systematic study of the structure of the mind.

    • Employed 'introspectionism' (looking inwards) to explore the science of immediate experience of the mind.

    • Analogies: X-ray/CT scan/MRI

  • William James (1842 - 1910)

    • Focused on the processes of perception and learning as conscious activities.

    • Adopted a Darwinian perspective, emphasizing adaptation within the environment.

    • Imaging: fMRI

Overview

A documentary titled "Psychology: Charting the Human Mind" by Lucasfilm is recommended. Intellectual engagement, active learning, physical engagement, and social engagement are highlighted.

ICE Task 4: Structuralism vs. Functionalism

This task involves creating a mind map using provided summaries and a textbook referencing a psychology fact.