PSY 3121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Reflex, Jacques De Vaucanson, Determinism
Document Summary
Throughout england and western europe, machines were being used to replace human power. Machines become familiar to people of all social levels and were accepted as a natural part of everyday life. The mechanical clock would have the greatest impact on scientific thought. Principles embodied by the machines of the 17th century influenced the direction of new psychology. 17th century underlying philosophy (basic contextual force) was the spirit of mechanism. The doctrine that natural processes are mechanically determined and capable of explanation by the laws of physics and chemistry. Idea originated in physics (then called natural philosophy) During this time, observation and experimentation were the distinguishing features of science. Phenomenon were measured and assigned numerical values. Measurement of time had scientific and practical consequences. No other machine had such an impact on human thought and behavior. With advancing technology, portable clocks were developed. Larger clocks of churches and government buildings were seen for miles and available to everyone.
