Wilhelm Wuundt's Contribution To Psychology

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Wilhelm Wundt was the first person to claim the title of psychologist and separate psychology from philosophy and science. When you consider that Wundt built the first psychological laboratory in 1879 (Schultz & Schultz, 2011), it would seem like psychology is a fairly modern science dating back less than two-hundred years. However, when you consider that psychology has roots in both philosophy and physiology, it has a foundation that extends much further. In this paper I will highlight the contributions of one philosopher and one physiologist and how they contributed to psychology as we know it today. John Locke (1632-1704) was a physician and philosopher (Schultz & Schultz, 2011). Locke was the author of numerous works, but his most important contribution to the world of psychology was An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. I chose Locke
Philosophers through time have focused on ideas and experiences and how they shape people. Physiology focuses on the body, mainly through observation. Psychology encompasses both these fields. It is the study of the mind and its processes. It requires us to look at both the physical matter of the body and brain, as well as the non-visible thoughts and emotions. John Locke founded empiricism. Empiricism was important in early psychology because it helped found behaviorism. In behaviorism, behavior is the result of a stimulus. No matter what the brain has been experienced, it can be reconditioned through new stimuli. This theory was introduced by John B. Watson (Schultz & Schultz, 2011) and furthered by B.F. Skinner and others in neo-behaviorism. Even Pavlov’s dogs were an experiment in behaviorism. Ernst Weber’s contribution to early psychology was proof that some aspects are quantitative, or measurable. Without the belief in actual results from a physical standpoint, there would have been no need for Wundt to build the first psychological

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