History and Systems of Psychology

by Brennan, James F., Ph.D.

• ISBN13: 9780130481191
• ISBN10: 013048119X
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-15
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Now in its sixth edition,History of Systems of Psychologyintroduces the complexities of psychology's origins. It provides readers with the context of historical, cultural, social and philosophical developments.Topics covered in the book include Psychological Foundations In Ancient Greece, The Emergence Of Modern Science, and Mental Passivity.For psychologists and others in the psychology field.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
PSYCHOLOGY'S HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
Introduction: Past for Present	1	(15)
Approaches to Historical Investigation	2	(1)
Organization of the Book	3	(1)
Eastern Traditions in Psychology	4	(8)
A Note on Resources	12	(4)
Psychological Foundations in Ancient Greece	16	(18)
Early Explanations of Psychological Activity	17	(7)
The Crowning of Greek Philosophy	24	(8)
Chapter Summary	32	(2)
From Rome through the Middle Ages	34	(18)
Roman Philosophy	34	(5)
Christianity	39	(4)
The Dark Ages	43	(6)
The Crusades	49	(1)
Chapter Summary	50	(2)
The Reawakening of Intellectual Life	52	(20)
The Papacy and Church Power	52	(3)
The Universities	55	(2)
Some Eminent Thinkers	57	(3)
Scholasticism	60	(5)
The Italian Renaissance	65	(2)
The Challenge to Authority	67	(3)
Chapter Summary	70	(2)
The Emergence of Modern Science	72	(17)
Advances in Science	73	(7)
The Learned Societies	80	(1)
Advances in Philosophy	81	(6)
Chapter Summary	87	(2)
Sensationalism and Positivism: The French Tradition	89	(13)
Advances in Science	90	(2)
Advances in Philosophy	92	(8)
Chapter Summary	100	(2)
Mental Passivity: The British Tradition	102	(16)
Advances in Science	104	(1)
Advances in Philosophy	105	(10)
Chapter Summary	115	(3)
Mental Activity: The German Tradition	118	(14)
Advances in Science	119	(3)
Advances in Philosophy	122	(8)
Chapter Summary	130	(2)
Competing Models of Psychology	132	(8)
An Integration	132	(7)
Chapter Summary	139	(1)
Nineteenth-Century Bases of Psychology	140	(19)
Advances in Physiology	140	(6)
Psychophysics	146	(5)
Evolution	151	(5)
Chapter Summary	156	(3)
The Founding of Modern Psychology	159	(20)
Psychology as a Natural Science	161	(7)
Psychology as a Human Science	168	(7)
Chapter Summary	175	(4)
TWENTIETH CENTURY SYSTEMS OF PSYCHOLOGY
American Functionalism	179	(26)
Background	180	(3)
Early American Psychology	183	(10)
Functional Psychology	193	(7)
Impact	200	(1)
Chapter Summary	200	(5)
The Gestalt Movement	205	(13)
Background in Germany	206	(2)
The Founding of Gestalt Psychology	208	(2)
Basic Principles of Gestalt Psychology	210	(2)
Implications of Gestalt Psychology	212	(4)
Chapter Summary	216	(2)
Psychoanalysis	218	(21)
Background	219	(2)
Sigmund Freud	221	(7)
The Disciples	228	(6)
Social Psychoanalysis	234	(1)
Contemporary Impact	235	(1)
Chapter Summary	236	(3)
Behaviorism	239	(39)
Immediate Background of Behaviorism	241	(6)
Watsonian Behaviorism	247	(5)
Broadening Behaviorism	252	(11)
The Role of Theory	263	(2)
Post-Theory Formulations	265	(5)
Chapter Summary	270	(8)
The Third Force Movement	278	(20)
European Philosophical Background	280	(8)
Existential-Phenomenological Psychology	288	(2)
The Third Force Movement in America	290	(4)
Chapter Summary	294	(4)
Contemporary Trends: Neofunctionalism	298	(27)
Postsystem Psychology	298	(3)
Learning, Motivation, and Memory	301	(5)
Perception	306	(1)
Developmental Psychology	307	(3)
Social Psychology	310	(2)
Personality	312	(2)
International Perspectives: Modern Asian Psychology	314	(5)
Chapter Summary	319	(6)
Epilogue	325	(13)
The Systems of Psychology: An Integration	326	(6)
The Problem of Science	332	(2)
Conclusions	334	(2)
Chapter Summary	336	(2)
Glossary	338	(13)
Name Index	351	(5)
Subject Index	356

Excerpts

My prefatory remarks for this edition cover the same ground as in the prior editions--namely, that this text is written as an introduction to psychology's past, grounded firmly in the intellectual history of Western civilization. Psychology emerged as a scientific discipline within the context of the intellectual history of Western Europe. The progression of ideas that led to the post-Renaissance development of empirical science allowed psychology to assume its present diverse form. Accordingly, the scope of contemporary systems of psychology may be best understood in terms of the evolution of Western thought from the time of antiquity. This book contains a historical perspective on the intellectual development of Western civilization, which gradually focuses on the emergence of psychology as an independent, recognized scientific enterprise.Chapters 1-11 introduce the major themes of psychological inquiry initially considered by early Greek scholars and subsequently modified by Christian and Islamic writers. As modern science grew out of the Renaissance, the place of psychological inquiry became a source of controversy that resulted in competing philosophical models of the nature of psychology. These models are organized along characteristic national trends of psychological views proposed by scholars in France, Britain, and Germany. The tremendous advances of the empirical disciplines, which culminated in the nineteenth century, led to the articulation of the formal study of psychology in the 1870s~by Wundt and Brentano.Chapters 12-16 deal with the major systems of psychology in the twentieth century and into the current century: the American functional movement, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and the third force movement. Chapter 17 concludes this survey of the systems with an outline of trends within the more contemporary, post-system period of psychology's development. In the 20 years of work on the five previous editions of this project, the database of psychology has seemed to grow exponentially. The disciplinary content of psychology has been diffused to various allied fields. Cognitive science and neuroscience have matured and brought psychology into intimate contact with research trends derived from other disciplines. This development is obviously difficult to capture in a book of this nature, yet justifies even more the need for understanding the historical background of psychology.I would like to thank those who have taken the time with previous editions of this work to offer suggestions for improvement and clarification. I especially want to thank my colleague Dr. Michael Riccards, President of Fitchburg State College, for his continued support during the various iterations of this project. I must also thank the many students who, over the years, helped me to express my ideas and always ignited the spark that made teaching psychology so much fun.I would like to acknowledge the helpful comments of the following people, who served as reviewers for the publisher: Mary Ballou, Northeastern College; Greg Bohemier, Culver-Stockton College; and Lori Van Wallendael, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.For their ongoing help and support, I am grateful to my wife, Maria, and my family. My daughters, Tara and Mikala, and their respective husbands, Craig and Adam, have been and continue to be a source of consistent support and inspiration over the years devoted to this project and to other academic demands. Our grandsons, Sam and Luke, now add a note of respite and joy to our lives. My family is my life, and their patience with me and this project merits far more than a dedication. James F. Brennan