Deck 8: Physiology and Psychophysics

Question 1

What significance did the observation that astronomers differ in their reaction times have for the history of psychology?

Answer 1

It was believed that the astronomers were the first person who postulated the concept of human physiology that provides useful information about the phenomena of science. A German astronomer, Friedrich Bessel , postulated that error specifically be due to the phenomenon of individual differences among the observers. Thus, he carried out his observations between their colleagues and found systemic differences between them.
The major probable differences present between them were known as the first reaction-time study that was used to correct differences among observers. This was done by calculating personal equations between them. Bessel also found systematic differences among individuals and found a way to compensate for bigger differences. But, his finding does not led to higher impact on the early development of experimental psychology.
Thus, the early astronomers were keen in studying the early experimental psychologists by interpreting individual differences among the experimental subjects that were greatly attributed to sloppy type of methodology. Later in the history of psychology, the study of individual differences was considered to be of higher importance from the aspect of astronomers.

Question 2

What is the Bell-Magendie law? What was the significance of this law in the history of psychology?

Answer 2

In the year 1811, the British physiologist Charles Bell distributed 100 copies of a pamphlet to his friends that depicts his outstanding research on the functional and anatomical operations of motor and sensory nerves. His findings were truly significant because it identifies specific mental functions that were performed by different anatomical structures.
Another well-known French physiologist, Francois Magendie , also publish similar results around 11 years that was unaware of the findings of Bell's study. A major debate was arisen among Bell's and Magnendie's followers and settled the issue between them by breakthrough a law known as the Bell-Magendie law.
Bell and Magendie law was not describing the possibility of nerve action that was considered as the general features of spirits or vibrations. It was already known that the sensory impulses carry information from the sense receptors to the brain and also the motor impulses that carry information from the brain to the glands and muscles. Thus, the Bell-Magendie law hypothesized the presence of separate sensory and motor regions in the spinal cord and also described the presence of separate sensory and motor regions in the brain.

Question 3

Summarize Muller's doctrine of specific nerve energies.

Answer 3

A famous German physiologist, Johannes Muller , transform the Bell-Magendie law into a more plausible explanation of concept that are known as doctrine of specific nerve energies. Muller hypothesized that there are presence of different types of sensory nerves, each containing a bright energy and when they are in the action of stimulation, it results in a characteristic sensation. It also states that each of the nerve responds to in its own characteristic way that no matter how is it stimulated.
Muller identified that various nerves contain its own specific energy by suggesting that all the sense organs are sensitive to the certain type of stimulation. Hence, Muller titles this by "specific irritability" and it was known later as adequate stimulation. According to Muller, the sensations and objects in the physical world are determined by senses and their specific irritability features. The environment has differential types of sensitivity patterns that provide an array of sensations.
According to Muller's doctrine theory of nerve energies, the most significant feature was focused on the nature of central nervous system that determines the sensations about the nerve experiences. He states that the nervous system acts as the intermediate zone between consciousness and physical objects and also focused on the mechanisms of physiological actions.

Question 4

Define vitalism. Was Muller a vitalist? Was Helmholtz?

Question 5

How did Helmholtz apply the principle of conservation of energy to living organisms?

Question 6

How did Helmholtz explain perception? Include in your answer a discussion of unconscious inference.

Question 7

Summarize the Young-Helmholtz theory of color vision.

Question 8

Summarize the resonance place theory of auditory perception.

Question 9

Discuss the importance of Helmholtz's work for the development of psychology as a science.

Question 10

How did Hering explain space perception?

Question 11

Summarize Hering's theory of color vision.

Question 12

Discuss the theory of color vision proposed by Ladd-Franklin.

Question 13

Discuss the basic tenets of phrenology. Also discuss the reasons for phrenology's popularity and its influence on psychology.

Question 14

Describe Flourens's approach to brain research. Did his conclusions support or refute phrenology? Explain.

Question 15

Describe Broca's approach to brain research. What conclusions did he reach concerning the functioning of the brain?

Question 16

What approach to brain research did Fritsch, Hitzig, and Ferrier take? Did their results support Gall or Flourens? Explain.

Question 17

What significance did Weber's work have for the development of experimental psychology? In your answer, describe Weber's research techniques and his findings.

Question 18

Who was Dr. Mises?

Question 19

Summarize Fechner's psychophysical work and methods.

Question 20

What were Fechner's contributions to the development of psychology as a science