PSYC 2230 Chapter 1: Professor's chapter 1 notes (lecture:exam prep)

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2230
• Professor: Frank Marchese

Document Summary

Philosophical antecedents: philosophical theory is derived from notions about what constitutes human nature and was very much a part of greek philosophy. e. g. ,aristotle proposed the soul (mind) is free; free will and choice. The mind at birth is a blank slate. Experience and learning determine in part the mind"s contents such as our knowledge and understanding of the world: contrary to aristotle"s position is determinism: all action is caused by antecedent variables. Meta-cognition: complex ideas may be reduced to simple ideas and it is the mind"s capacity to associate one idea with another that accounts for the formation of concepts and knowledge. Functional autonomy of motives: motives become independent-autonomous-of their original biological sources: for example, working to survive may become independent of the original biological necessity to provide food and shelter to satisfy needs. Work for its own sake" so as to achieve" may become separated from its original biological source.