It is important to understand how early philosophers influenced psychology in order to effectively interpret modern schools of psychological thought. This week the focus is on various views of introspection beginning with Wundt. Titchener was a student of Wundt's and agreed that he would teach Wundt's ideas about introspection through his teaching in America. As it was, Titchener broke from many of the basic principles Wundt established and developed the school of structuralism. Structuralism was so specific to Titchener's ideas, that after his death, structuralism was quickly replaced.

This week's objectives:

1. Contrast the views of introspection held by Descartes, Titchener, Comte, and Kant.
2. Evaluate the contributions of structuralism to modern psychology.

Readings

Schultz, D. P. & Schultz, S. E. (2016).A history of modern psychology(11th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Boring, E. G. (1953). A history of introspection.Psychological Bulletin, 50(3), 169-189.https://doi.org/10.1037/h0090793

Griffiths, P. E. (1996). Darwinism, process structuralism, and natural kinds.Philosophy of Science, 63, S1-S9.http://doi.org/10.1086/289930

Directions:

In a paper (1,500-1,750 words), do the following:

1. Contrast the views of Aristotle and Descartes on the relationship between body and mind/soul.
2. Contrast the nature of introspection from the vantage points of Titchener, Comte, and Kant.