Psyc 375: History of Psychology Midterm-
Athabasca UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Compare and contrast Stocking's (1965) notions of presentism and historicism, and discuss the relative merits of each
approach. - CORRECT ANSWER Presentism is when current understandings of how things work are put into the
context of the evolution of those beliefs and findings. It allows for people to better understand the history of our current
knowledge.
Presentism is good because it eliminates bias. Historicism is when people look at history isolated from current
understanding. History is studied simply for history's sake and does not attempt to relate the past to the present. It allows
people to take on the perspective of people in their own day and age.
What considerations are involved in deciding what to include in a history of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER
Define a Zeitgeist, and explain its relationship to historical accounts. - CORRECT ANSWER The context
surrounding a historical event. This includes the political climate, the beliefs at the time, development in other areas of
science and even technological advancements. It allows us to put things into perspective.
Define both the great-person approach to history and the historical development approach. What approach did Henley
elect to use? - CORRECT ANSWER The great person approach looks at the key figures of history and focuses on
them, whereas the Historical development approach follows the evolution of ideas from its origin to where we are today.
Henley uses an eclectic approach, which allows them to use whichever is the best method for explaining the history of
psychology.
List the three reasons the author cites for studying the history of psychology - CORRECT ANSWER (a) deeper
understanding, (b) recognition of fads and fashions, (c) a source of valuable ideas.
How does History give us a deeper understanding of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER Studying history allows
for us to gain a deeper understanding as it gives us context to the current beliefs. It prevents us from repeating the
mistakes of the past.
How does history give us a better understanding of the fads and fashions of psychology? - CORRECT
ANSWER Study history allows us to better understand what are fads and fashions in psychology and to see the
evolution of its focus. Theories fade, not because they are incorrect, but simply because they become unpopular.
How does studying the history of psychology give us a source of valuable ideas? - CORRECT ANSWER There are
many ideas from the past that are not incorrect, they were just presented at a time in which people were not ready to
accept it. This means that there are still plenty of ideas from the past that should be re-examined.
Why did Galileo and Kant claim that psychology could never be a science? - CORRECT ANSWER Galileo and
Kant claimed that psychology could never be a science because of its emphasis on subjective experience
What are the two major components of a science? - CORRECT ANSWER Empirical observation and theory
Define empirical observation and scientific theory, including its two functions, and describe their relation to rationalism
and empiricism. - CORRECT ANSWER The two main aspects of science are Empirical observation and scientific
theory. Empirical observation is verifiable changes that can be confirmed through observation or experiments. It is when
you make observations and seek explanations. In that way, a scientific theory is a way of explaining the observations. The
two main functions of a scientific theory are to organize empirical observations and to act as a guide for future
observations. A good scientific theory will create confirmable propositions.
Empiricism is the belief that sensory information is the source of knowledge, whereas rationalism believes that you can
gain knowledge simply through logic and rational thinking. In this way, Empiricism more easily fits this traditional
definition of science.
What is public observation and why is it important? - CORRECT ANSWER Public observation is when any person
can go and confirm the information for themselves. The knowledge is then readily accessible and people don't need to
rely on others for their knowledge. Gives power to the people and away from authorities
Athabasca UPDATED ACTUAL Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Compare and contrast Stocking's (1965) notions of presentism and historicism, and discuss the relative merits of each
approach. - CORRECT ANSWER Presentism is when current understandings of how things work are put into the
context of the evolution of those beliefs and findings. It allows for people to better understand the history of our current
knowledge.
Presentism is good because it eliminates bias. Historicism is when people look at history isolated from current
understanding. History is studied simply for history's sake and does not attempt to relate the past to the present. It allows
people to take on the perspective of people in their own day and age.
What considerations are involved in deciding what to include in a history of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER
Define a Zeitgeist, and explain its relationship to historical accounts. - CORRECT ANSWER The context
surrounding a historical event. This includes the political climate, the beliefs at the time, development in other areas of
science and even technological advancements. It allows us to put things into perspective.
Define both the great-person approach to history and the historical development approach. What approach did Henley
elect to use? - CORRECT ANSWER The great person approach looks at the key figures of history and focuses on
them, whereas the Historical development approach follows the evolution of ideas from its origin to where we are today.
Henley uses an eclectic approach, which allows them to use whichever is the best method for explaining the history of
psychology.
List the three reasons the author cites for studying the history of psychology - CORRECT ANSWER (a) deeper
understanding, (b) recognition of fads and fashions, (c) a source of valuable ideas.
How does History give us a deeper understanding of psychology? - CORRECT ANSWER Studying history allows
for us to gain a deeper understanding as it gives us context to the current beliefs. It prevents us from repeating the
mistakes of the past.
How does history give us a better understanding of the fads and fashions of psychology? - CORRECT
ANSWER Study history allows us to better understand what are fads and fashions in psychology and to see the
evolution of its focus. Theories fade, not because they are incorrect, but simply because they become unpopular.
How does studying the history of psychology give us a source of valuable ideas? - CORRECT ANSWER There are
many ideas from the past that are not incorrect, they were just presented at a time in which people were not ready to
accept it. This means that there are still plenty of ideas from the past that should be re-examined.
Why did Galileo and Kant claim that psychology could never be a science? - CORRECT ANSWER Galileo and
Kant claimed that psychology could never be a science because of its emphasis on subjective experience
What are the two major components of a science? - CORRECT ANSWER Empirical observation and theory
Define empirical observation and scientific theory, including its two functions, and describe their relation to rationalism
and empiricism. - CORRECT ANSWER The two main aspects of science are Empirical observation and scientific
theory. Empirical observation is verifiable changes that can be confirmed through observation or experiments. It is when
you make observations and seek explanations. In that way, a scientific theory is a way of explaining the observations. The
two main functions of a scientific theory are to organize empirical observations and to act as a guide for future
observations. A good scientific theory will create confirmable propositions.
Empiricism is the belief that sensory information is the source of knowledge, whereas rationalism believes that you can
gain knowledge simply through logic and rational thinking. In this way, Empiricism more easily fits this traditional
definition of science.
What is public observation and why is it important? - CORRECT ANSWER Public observation is when any person
can go and confirm the information for themselves. The knowledge is then readily accessible and people don't need to
rely on others for their knowledge. Gives power to the people and away from authorities
