Psicología I U 2 1 2020 Prof Julieta Malagrina La tradición experimental alemana

Summary

In this lecture, Julieta Malagrino explores the socio-historical and epistemological conditions that led to the rise of the German experimental psychology tradition in the 19th century. She emphasizes the role of scientific traditions, societal expectations, and intellectual interests that shaped early psychological practices, particularly the work of figures like Wilhelm Wundt. Malagrino also critiques myths around the origin of psychological experimentation, discusses the interplay between philosophy and psychology, and examines the dual methodological approach (experimental vs. hermeneutic) in psychological research. The lecture connects historical insights with contemporary debates in psychology, focusing on interdisciplinarity and the evolution of professional practices in Argentina.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture focuses on the socio-historical and epistemological conditions surrounding the emergence of the German Experimental Tradition in psychology during the 19th century.
• 😀 It challenges the myth that psychological experimentation is solely a German invention by William Wundt, highlighting other experimental models from that era.
• 😀 The concept of 'tradition' is emphasized, referring to shared customs, meanings, and expectations in society that shape scientific practices, including psychology.
• 😀 The German Experimental Tradition was rooted in the scientific and research traditions of German universities, particularly the field of physiology.
• 😀 A significant theme is the collaborative nature of psychological research, where researchers, students, and experiment subjects all participated in roles that were often interchangeable.
• 😀 Wundt's role in the development of psychology is examined, showing that he was not the sole founder of experimental psychology or its professional identity.
• 😀 The lecture discusses the concept of 'internal perception,' a refined form of introspection that Wundt developed to address the limitations of pure observation.
• 😀 It highlights Wundt’s dual methodological approach, combining empirical experimental methods and observational hermeneutics to study psychological phenomena.
• 😀 Wundt’s principle of 'psychophysical parallelism' is discussed, which posits that mental and physical processes are parallel but do not interact or reduce to one another.
• 😀 The lecture also explores the relationship between psychology and philosophy, emphasizing that psychology as a science should not be isolated from other sciences and should aim for empirical objectivity.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the class discussed in the transcript?

The class focuses on explaining the socio-historical and epistemological conditions that led to the emergence of one of the first psychological traditions of the 19th century, specifically the German experimental tradition.

What does the title 'Tradition Experimental in Germany' imply about the nature of psychological experimentation?

The title suggests that the German experimental tradition will not be the only form of psychological experimentation, indicating that multiple methods and traditions existed during the same period.

How does Danziger challenge the myth surrounding the origin of psychological experimentation?

Danziger argues that the idea of psychological experimentation being exclusive and inaugural to German psychology is a myth. He compares it to other methods of investigation from the time and shows that experimentation, like all psychology, is shaped by social contexts.

What role did collaboration play in the German experimental psychology tradition?

Collaboration was crucial in German experimental psychology. Research was a collective effort where roles in experiments were divided between the researcher, the subject, and the students, who sometimes took on both roles interchangeably.

How does Danziger's view on William Wundt differ from the popular perception of his role in psychology?

Danziger emphasizes that Wundt was not the sole creator of experimental psychology or the professional identity of modern psychologists. Wundt did not advocate for the separation of philosophy and psychology and was not actively involved in the professional societies of psychologists.

What does Araujo suggest about Wundt’s general scientific project and its relation to philosophy?

Araujo suggests that Wundt’s scientific project was deeply intertwined with philosophy. Wundt sought to establish psychology as a legitimate science by using empirical methods to counter Kant’s view that psychology was just descriptive anthropology.

Why does Wundt reject the traditional concept of introspection?

Wundt rejects traditional introspection because he believed that it was impossible to observe one's own mental experience without distorting it. He introduced a more controlled form of introspection, called 'internal perception,' which was conducted under experimental conditions to limit external influences.

What is the significance of the principle of psychophysical parallelism in Wundt's work?

The principle of psychophysical parallelism holds that mental and physical processes run in parallel but do not interact. Wundt used this principle to establish the autonomy of psychology as a science distinct from both dualism and naturalistic monism.

How does Wundt’s approach to the mind differ from the British associationist tradition?

Unlike the British associationist tradition, which focused on simple mental associations, Wundt’s approach emphasized the complexity and creative synthesis of mental processes. He believed that mental phenomena were active, changing, and could not be reduced to simplistic associations.

How are Wundt's ideas still relevant to contemporary psychology in Argentina?

Wundt’s ideas are still relevant in contemporary psychology in Argentina as they continue to influence debates around the scientific nature of psychology, the importance of interdisciplinary work, and the need for psychologists to engage in philosophical and ethical considerations in their practice.