History of Modern Psychology
A History of Modern Psychology
Franklyn Rivas
UOPX
History and Systems in Psychology
310
Lillian Fillpot
May 03, 2011
A History of Modern Psychology Before psychology officially became a science, many great intellectuals of previous centuries had contributed to the philosophy behind psychology. This philosophy can be trace back to the times of the Greeks, middle ages, and the renaissance period. However, the link between philosophy and modern psychology became possible in the late 18th and early 19th century. Between 18th and early 19th century there was a new enlightenment occurring in philosophy, and questions regarding human behavior, mind, and body were beginning to be studied through the eyes of science rather than from a logical point of view. Between the late 18th and early 19th century philosophy took a major historical step into psychology, this step was made possible by few pioneers who are now well-known, and recognize for their achievements. However, the first important figure was Rene Descartes, it was Descartes that changed the way people thought about the human body, and mind. In addition, he created a problem solving method that was solely based on clear reasoning. The most important contribution Descartes had on the beginning stages of psychology was his explanation of a reflex. Descartes believed that the body worked like a machine, and this was influence by the context around him, during his time there were many mechanical advances made (Goodwin, 2008). Another significant figure of early scientific achievements in the crossover between philosophy, and psychology was John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Mill was the first innovator to move away from the mechanical belief into realizing that the mind was more chemically based meaning, chemicals or liquids running through the mind. In other words, Mill understood that the mind is active not passive and a more complicated component than a mechanical one
Franklyn Rivas
UOPX
History and Systems in Psychology
310
Lillian Fillpot
May 03, 2011
A History of Modern Psychology Before psychology officially became a science, many great intellectuals of previous centuries had contributed to the philosophy behind psychology. This philosophy can be trace back to the times of the Greeks, middle ages, and the renaissance period. However, the link between philosophy and modern psychology became possible in the late 18th and early 19th century. Between 18th and early 19th century there was a new enlightenment occurring in philosophy, and questions regarding human behavior, mind, and body were beginning to be studied through the eyes of science rather than from a logical point of view. Between the late 18th and early 19th century philosophy took a major historical step into psychology, this step was made possible by few pioneers who are now well-known, and recognize for their achievements. However, the first important figure was Rene Descartes, it was Descartes that changed the way people thought about the human body, and mind. In addition, he created a problem solving method that was solely based on clear reasoning. The most important contribution Descartes had on the beginning stages of psychology was his explanation of a reflex. Descartes believed that the body worked like a machine, and this was influence by the context around him, during his time there were many mechanical advances made (Goodwin, 2008). Another significant figure of early scientific achievements in the crossover between philosophy, and psychology was John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). Mill was the first innovator to move away from the mechanical belief into realizing that the mind was more chemically based meaning, chemicals or liquids running through the mind. In other words, Mill understood that the mind is active not passive and a more complicated component than a mechanical one
References: Goodwin, J. (2008). A History of Modern Psychology (3rd edition ed.). Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/content/eBookLibrary2/content/eReader.aspx?assetMetaId=534e4026-73ec-4dc2-a19d-6e3f92722961&assetDataId=c6b682d4-c8ec-4233-a9a6-8e6e236e9ca9&assetpdfdataid=13593df0-9366-4312-9e8d-71af16382851