Question 1

Kant insisted that mental phenomena could not be studied in the same way as the natural sciences were studied.One aspect of his reasoning for this was

Accepted Answer

Kant believed that mental phenomena could not be studied in the same way as the natural sciences because it is impossible to have a priori knowledge of the human mind.

Question 2

Theodor Fechner's law, previously referred to as Weber's law, can be described as

Accepted Answer

Fechner's law, also known as Weber-Fechner law, describes the logarithmic relationship between the intensity of a physical stimulus and the intensity of the sensation perceived, thereby mathematically relating the physical world to subjective experience.

Question 3

Wundt's method of experimental introspection could be distinguished from other forms of introspection because

Accepted Answer

Wundt's experimental introspection was unique because he utilized laboratory apparatus to standardize stimuli presentation, ensuring a controlled environment for observing and recording psychological responses.

Question 4

Wilhelm Wundt started his academic career as an assistant to

Accepted Answer

Wilhelm Wundt started his academic career as an assistant to Hermann von Helmholtz, a prominent German physicist and physiologist.

Question 5

Which 18th-century philosopher believed that humans never directly experience the pure reality of things?

Accepted Answer

Immanuel Kant argued that humans do not experience the world as it is in itself (noumena), but only through the filters of our senses and the structures of our mind (phenomena), meaning we never directly know the pure reality of things.

Question 6

Psychophysics can be defined as

Accepted Answer

Psychophysics is a branch of psychology that deals with the relationships between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they produce. It involves the physical measurement and quantification of psychological phenomena, such as how the intensity of a light affects its perceived brightness.

Question 7

Universities that were opening in the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s were offering graduate programs that were distinctly research focused.One early example of such a university was

Accepted Answer

Johns Hopkins University, founded in 1876, was among the first universities in the United States to focus on graduate education and research, setting a precedent for future institutions.

Question 8

The method of study developed by Wundt and used in his laboratory came to be known as

Accepted Answer

Wundt's method, known as experimental introspection, combined experimental methods with introspection to study the mind's structure.

Question 9

Lernfreiheit can be defined as ____, while Lehrfreiheit can be defined as ____.

Accepted Answer

Lernfreiheit refers to the freedom to learn, emphasizing the student's right to choose what to study. Lehrfreiheit means the freedom to teach, highlighting the educator's right to determine the content and methodology of their teaching.

Question 10

Wilhelm Dilthey's human scientific critique of experimental psychology was one of the most significant alternatives to the Wundtian tradition.Dilthey stated that

Accepted Answer

Dilthey argued that psychology should focus on understanding the lived experience as a whole, rather than breaking it down into smaller parts or focusing solely on basic mental processes. He believed in a more holistic approach to understanding human experience and consciousness.

Question 11

Many influential German philosophers and scientists, such as Kant, Hermann von Helmholtz, and Fechner, facilitated the emergence of a science of Psychology.Although there are several reasons for the strong German influence on the emergence of a scientific psychology, a particularly important aspect of the context in which these figures worked was

Accepted Answer

The German university system, German Kultur, and the principles of Lehrfreiheit (freedom to teach) and Lernfreiheit (freedom to learn) collectively provided a conducive environment for the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. These factors allowed for academic freedom, a rich cultural context for intellectual exploration, and a supportive educational structure, all of which were crucial for the pioneering work in psychology.

Question 12

Ernst Heinrich Weber's formulation of the just-noticeable difference (jnd) refers to

Accepted Answer

The just-noticeable difference (jnd), as formulated by Ernst Heinrich Weber, is the smallest increase in the intensity of a stimulus that can be reliably discriminated as a sensory experience. This concept is foundational in psychophysics, illustrating how the perception of differences between stimuli depends on their physical properties.

Question 13

Descartes believed that the interactions between the body and the mind occurred in

Accepted Answer

Descartes proposed that the pineal gland was the seat of the interaction between the mind and the body, acting as a sort of interface between the immaterial mind and the material body.

Question 14

Wundt's 1874 publication Principles of Physiological Psychology was important in the development of psychology as a discipline because

Accepted Answer

Wundt's publication was significant because it combined experimental methods from physiology with introspective methods from psychology, laying the groundwork for experimental psychology as a distinct scientific discipline.

Question 15

Atomism refers to

Accepted Answer

Atomism is a philosophical concept that suggests breaking down complex phenomena into their smallest, indivisible components (atoms) to understand their fundamental nature. This approach can be applied across various fields of study, not just in physics but also in philosophy, chemistry, and more, to analyze and understand the basic building blocks of matter or ideas.

Question 16

The German university system and educational tradition differed dramatically from other European or American models of schooling because

Accepted Answer

German universities were known for their emphasis on academic freedom and the Lehrfreiheit (freedom to teach) and Lernfreiheit (freedom to learn) principles, which allowed both professors and students to explore and teach their chosen topics of interest, fostering an open atmosphere of learning. This approach was distinct from the more structured curricula found in many other countries' educational systems at the time.

Question 17

The Galtonian tradition in psychology can be described as

Accepted Answer

The Galtonian tradition in psychology, initiated by Francis Galton, emphasizes the study and measurement of variations in psychological characteristics across large populations. It is particularly concerned with understanding how these characteristics are distributed and how they might be influenced by heredity. This approach laid the groundwork for the field of differential psychology and the statistical methods used in psychology today.

Question 18

Herbart created an extension of Kant's philosophical system, which involved

Accepted Answer

Herbart extended Kant's philosophical system by assigning numbers to psychological experiences and creating a mathematical system of psychology, aiming to make the study of the mind more scientific and quantifiable.

Question 19

The German term Wissenschaften refers to the idea that

Accepted Answer

The term Wissenschaften encompasses a broad understanding of sciences, including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, suggesting that any subject matter can be approached with a systematic, disciplined method akin to the scientific method. This reflects the idea that all manner of topics can be investigated with a scientific attitude.

Question 20

The term noumenal world refers to

Accepted Answer

The noumenal world, according to Immanuel Kant, is the realm of things as they are in themselves, independent of human senses and perceptions. This contrasts with the phenomenal world, which is the world as we experience it through our senses.

Quiz 4: Subject Matter, Methods, and the Making of a New Science