PSYC 2240 Lecture Notes - Pineal Gland
Document Summary
Psyche, a mortal, became the wife of cupid. Cupids mother venus didn"t like the marriage so she harassed psyche with almost impossible tasks. Psyche amazingly performed the tasks and it made her immortal. Aristotle suggested because of this story that all human intellectual functions are because of a person"s psyche. Aristotle argued that the psyche is responsible for life, its departure from the body results in death. Aristotle"s findings marks the beginning of modern psychology. He thought the brain existed to cool the blood, not to produce behaviour. He thought that the psyche was responsible for human consciousness, perceptions and human processes. Mentalism is the position that a person"s mind (psyche) is responsible for behaviour. He retained the mind"s prominence but gave the brain a more important role. He stated that the mind and body must be joined and united to create a person. He realized that mechanical and physical principles could explain most activities of the body and brain.
