Psychology’s Origins: Key Schools and Influential Thinkers
Early Foundations of Psychology
The term “Psychology” originates from the Greek word Psyche, meaning spirit, soul, or mind. Initially defined as the “study of the soul,” its scientific definition evolved significantly, moving away from the intangible concept of the soul.
Wilhelm Wundt and Experimental Psychology
Modern psychology as a science was formally established in 1879 with Wilhelm Wundt’s creation of the first Experimental Psychology Laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. Wundt, originally a physiologist,
Read MoreEssential Concepts in Cultural Anthropology
1. Cultural Relativism
The principle that cultural beliefs and practices must be understood in their own cultural context, not judged by the standards of another culture. It promotes open-mindedness and respect for cultural diversity.
2. Differences Between Animals and Humans
Humans possess complex language, the ability to think abstractly, make moral decisions, create culture, and transmit knowledge across generations. While animals can communicate and learn, they do not form complex symbolic systems
Read MoreMental Health Therapies: Psychotherapy & Biomedical Interventions
Mental Health Therapies: An Introduction
Therapies Overview
Purpose: To help individuals manage mental health challenges through therapeutic or medical interventions.
Two Main Types:
Psychotherapies (Talk Therapy): Focus on thoughts, emotions, and coping skills.
Biomedical Therapies: Focus on altering brain chemistry or structure.
Psychotherapies Explained
Working with a trained therapist.
Helps in understanding problems, emotions, and relationships.
Useful for stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Biomedical
Read MoreUnderstanding Diagnosis and Evaluation in Social Work Practice
The primary aim is to establish a hierarchy and conduct a needs assessment, leading to intervention in social work cases, based on issues identified by the professional.
MOIX’s Key Periods in Social Work Process
- Data Collection
- Study and Evaluation
- Diagnosis
- Temporary Application of Solutions
- Completion
Francisco Garcia Fernandez: Diagnosis Steps
Francisco Garcia Fernandez explains diagnosis as a process step comprising:
- Knowledge of Social Reality
- Technical-Scientific Interpretation of Social Reality
- Professional
Key Concepts and Theories in Human Development
Factors Influencing Human Development
Human development is shaped by a complex interplay of various factors:
Inheritance
Inheritance: Innate influences on development, transmitted by genes inherited from parents.
Environment
Environment: All non-genetic influences on development, external to the individual.
Maturity
Maturity: The natural sequence of physical and behavioral patterns, often associated with age, including the speed to master new skills.
Types of Influences on Development
Normative Influences
Normative
Human Memory Systems: Storage, Retrieval, and Forgetting
Understanding Human Memory Systems
Human memory is a complex system responsible for encoding, storing, and retrieving information. It is broadly categorized into three main types:
Sensory Memory (SM)
Sensory Memory (SM) is the initial stage of memory that records sensations and recognizes the physical characteristics of stimuli. It has a large capacity, with a dedicated subsystem for each sense. Its duration is very brief, depending on the sensory modality:
- Echoic memory (auditory) lasts for approximately