PSYC 110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Mnemonic, Wilhelm Wundt
14 Jun 2018
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Prehistoric Records
From the start of human existence, we’ve had enormous potential. Already forward
thinking: of the afterlife, why we exist.
Greece 500 BC: Method of Loci
Oratory--completely done from memory. First descriptions of the Method of Loci
mnemonic device. Hold over words: “Topic” (place) “In the first place” (reference to
memory palace)
Simonides--originator of the Method of Loci, AKA the memory palace; legend
Elaborate encoding: intense encoding at a deep level.
Middle Ages: Christian Monk
Integral part of the educational system (elaborate encoding)
Method of loci, heavily used to remember scriptures and religious texts
Use of rhymes used heavily, as well as emphasis on bizarre imagery
Essentially: elaborate encoding = ways of learning/memorization.
Roots of Psych
Physiology: The branch of biology that studies the functions and parts of living
organisms
In the 1600s, physiologists begin to study the workings of the brain and its relation to
behavior.
By the 1700s, physiologists find that specific bodily functions can be traced to specific
brain areas.
Some early ideas, such as phrenology, didn’t survive
Psych: A Discipline Is Founded
WUNDT!
Uses scientific methods to study psychological processes
Writes first psych textbook (1874)
The Science of Psych
Wundt promotes the belief that experimental methods should be used to study mental
processes
Functionalism: focuses on how behaviors function to allow people and animals to adapt
to their environment
Humanistic Psych: positive potential of human beings is assumed, emphasis on
self-determination
Cognitive psych: the scientific study of how perception, thought, memory, and reasoning
are processed.
Document Summary
From the start of human existence, we"ve had enormous potential. Already forward thinking: of the afterlife, why we exist. First descriptions of the method of loci mnemonic device. Hold over words: topic (place) in the first place (reference to memory palace) Simonides--originator of the method of loci, aka the memory palace; legend. Elaborate encoding: intense encoding at a deep level. Integral part of the educational system (elaborate encoding) Method of loci, heavily used to remember scriptures and religious texts. Use of rhymes used heavily, as well as emphasis on bizarre imagery. Physiology: the branch of biology that studies the functions and parts of living organisms. In the 1600s, physiologists begin to study the workings of the brain and its relation to behavior. By the 1700s, physiologists find that specific bodily functions can be traced to specific brain areas. Some early ideas, such as phrenology, didn"t survive. Wundt promotes the belief that experimental methods should be used to study mental processes.
