Question

Discuss how the idea of mechanism has played a role in history of psychology, while describing the views of various individuals that supported, or altered, our understanding of humans in mechanistic terms

Answer 1

The idea of mechanism in the history of psychology refers to the perspective that human behavior and thought processes can be understood through principles of cause and effect, similar to how machines work. Wilhelm Wundt and William James introduced the idea of mechanism through their approaches of structuralism and functionalism. Later, behaviorism and psychoanalysis dominated psychology, but the humanistic perspective emerged to emphasize individual control and the potential for good in humans. The cognitive revolution shifted the focus back to the mind and cognitive processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The idea of mechanism in the history of psychology refers to the perspective that human behavior and thought processes can be understood through principles of cause and effect, similar to how machines work. Wilhelm Wundt and William James, considered the founders of psychology as a science, introduced the idea of mechanism through their respective approaches of structuralism and functionalism. Wundt focused on analyzing the structure of consciousness through introspection, while James emphasized the adaptive functions of behavior in the environment. Later, behaviorism and psychoanalysis dominated psychology, but the humanistic perspective emerged to emphasize individual control and the potential for good in humans. The cognitive revolution in the mid-20th century shifted the focus back to the mind and cognitive processes.

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