PS101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Tabula Rasa, Gestalt Psychology, Natural Philosophy
Document Summary
Gestalt psychology: no more putting together building blocks. This method: rejects structuralism, believes the whole is greater than the parts. Argues that we have inborn tendencies to impose certain structures onto the world. Shows how illusions prove errors in perception, we are biased to the bigger picture, we jump to conclusions. The atmosphere of heightened interest in mind/body + nature/nurture debate between. Philosophers, physicians + scientists results in psychology emerging as distinctive scientific field. Believed science + math can explain natural world. Determined pineal gland in brain is connection of mind + body. Believes mind survives death, body does not. Believed learning from experience, that the mind is blank slate at birth, knowledge written on. Studied relationship between physical stimuli + sensations resulting. Pioneered psychophysics by asking questions like how much light is needed to see light, how much light can be changed before change is noticed.
