Functionalism: Development and Founding - Ch7 - History of Modern Psychology - Schultz & Schultz

Summary

This lecture by Dr. Mark Atala explores the history of functionalism in psychology, focusing on key figures like William James, G. Stanley Hall, and Herbert Spencer. It discusses Spencer's social Darwinism, Samuel Butler's ideas on machine evolution, and the role of William James in shaping psychology, including his 'stream of consciousness' theory and the James-Lange theory of emotion. The lecture also highlights contributions from pioneering women in psychology, like Mary Whiton Calkins, and concludes with the rise of functionalism at universities such as Chicago and Columbia, emphasizing its impact on modern psychology.

Takeaways

• 📚 Herbert Spencer introduced social Darwinism, coining 'survival of the fittest,' and applied evolutionary theory to society, opposing government assistance for the poor.
• 💡 Samuel Butler proposed that machines evolve similarly to humans, with new machines replacing outdated ones, like modern devices replacing older technology.
• 🖥️ Herman Hollerith revolutionized data processing by using punch cards to complete the 1890 U.S. census, leading to the founding of IBM.
• 🧠 William James, a key figure in psychology, contributed the idea of the 'stream of consciousness' and developed the James-Lange theory of emotion, where physical reactions precede emotions.
• 🎓 Mary Whiton Calkins, the first female president of the APA, was denied a Harvard PhD due to her gender despite completing her degree requirements.
• 🔬 Helen Bradford Thompson Woolley and Leta Stetter Hollingworth refuted the variability hypothesis, demonstrating no significant intellectual differences between men and women.
• 🧒 G. Stanley Hall, the first president of the APA, contributed to developmental psychology with his work on adolescence and the recapitulation theory of human development.
• 🏫 John Dewey's reflex arc concept argued that behavior and consciousness cannot be reduced to elements, advocating for a functional approach in psychology.
• ⚙️ Robert Sessions Woodworth's dynamic psychology focused on understanding motivation and behavior through introspection and the relationship between stimulus, organism, and response.
• 🔬 Functionalism expanded psychology beyond introspection, incorporating applied work in real-world settings and methods like mental tests and physiological research.

Q & A

Who was Herbert Spencer, and why was he a celebrity when he arrived in the United States?

Herbert Spencer was a philosopher known for applying evolutionary theory to human knowledge and social institutions. He was a celebrity when he arrived in the U.S. in 1882 because of the strong interest in evolution at the time. Spencer coined the phrase 'survival of the fittest' and advocated for minimal interference in social and economic matters, aligning with America's individualistic spirit.

What is social Darwinism, and how does it relate to Herbert Spencer's ideas?

Social Darwinism is the application of evolutionary theory to human society, suggesting that societal progress occurs naturally through competition and the survival of the fittest. Herbert Spencer's philosophy, often called synthetic philosophy, is an example of social Darwinism. He believed that human perfection was inevitable as long as natural processes were not interfered with by government regulations or social programs.

What role did Samuel Butler play in the discussion of evolution, and what was his theory?

Samuel Butler wrote 'Darwin among the Machines,' in which he proposed that machines were evolving through processes similar to those of biological evolution. He argued that new machines would eliminate older, inferior machines, much like natural selection among living organisms.

How did Herman Hollerith revolutionize data collection for the U.S. Census?

Herman Hollerith introduced the use of punch cards to record census data for the 1890 U.S. Census, which helped expedite the process significantly. His system used 56 million punch cards to process data from 62 million people, and he completed the census by 1892. Hollerith later founded the Tabulating Machine Company, which eventually became IBM.

What is William James known for in psychology, and what were his views on the subject?

William James is known for his significant contributions to functionalism in psychology, particularly his theory of the 'stream of consciousness' and the James-Lange theory of emotion. He was critical of structuralist approaches to psychology, like those of Wundt, and saw consciousness as a continuous flow rather than something that could be broken down into discrete elements.

What is the James-Lange theory of emotion?

The James-Lange theory of emotion proposes that emotions occur as a result of physiological reactions to events. For example, James suggested that a person sees a bear, runs, and then feels fear. The emotion (fear) follows the physical reaction (running), reversing the traditional view that emotions cause bodily responses.

Who was Mary Whiton Calkins, and what were her contributions to psychology?

Mary Whiton Calkins was the first woman to become president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1905. Despite earning her PhD at Harvard, she was denied the degree because she was a woman. She developed the paired-associate task for memory research and established one of the first psychology laboratories in the U.S.

What was the variability hypothesis, and how did Helen Bradford Thompson Woolley challenge it?

The variability hypothesis suggested that males exhibit a wider range of abilities than females, and thus women were less likely to achieve intellectual greatness. Helen Bradford Thompson Woolley challenged this by conducting tests on motor abilities, sensory thresholds, intellectual abilities, and personality traits, finding no significant differences between men and women in emotional functioning, with women slightly superior in memory and sensory perception.

What is G. Stanley Hall's recapitulation theory, and why was it controversial?

G. Stanley Hall's recapitulation theory posited that the psychological development of children mirrors the evolutionary history of the human species. This theory was controversial because many critics, such as Edward Thorndike, felt it was filled with errors and overly focused on moral issues like masturbation and religion.

What is functionalism in psychology, and how did it differ from structuralism?

Functionalism in psychology focuses on understanding the purpose and adaptive functions of mental processes rather than breaking them down into components like structuralism. Functionalists, such as William James and G. Stanley Hall, emphasized studying how people adapt to their environments, while structuralists like Wundt focused on analyzing mental experiences by dividing them into smaller elements.