Running head: LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Mind Over Matter

Ashley Ramirez
University of California, Santa Barbara

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Abstract
This paper is devoted to the research of the discipline of psychology. The entirety of this piece is
dedicated upon the emphasis of the three main literary practices of which were concluded due to
the research: visual representation, scientific language, and standard procedures. Within this
discipline, observations and interviews were conducted to discover the main literary practices
within this certain area of science. The observation of Psychology 3 was coordinated along with
an interview with the professor, Dr. Vanessa Woods. Two articles were also selected in order to
obtain more information upon the literary practices vastly used throughout psychology. Charles
W. Lachenmeyers article of The Reduction of Psychology to Physiology: A Reinterpretation
along with Paul Schillers Psychology and Physiology both thoroughly display a significant
amount of practices within their work to support this research. A clear understanding of the
discipline of psychology and its distinct literary practices should be made within this assignment.
Keywords: visual representation, scientific language, standard procedure

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Mind Over Matter

Throughout many centuries, new discoveries have been made and emerging theories have
been proven. An emphasis on the human body has always been of importance until the attention
was later drawn towards the human brain. The study of the mind and its correlation to behavior
dates back as early as to the Ancient Greeks. Greek philosophers such as Socrates and Plato
discovered the topics of pleasure, pain, and motivation, which has created the foundation of
todays psychology. It was not until years later that psychology was embraced as a new science,
that specifically placed an importance on the human mind and its functions. Psychologists
emerged with new findings, and names such as Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin made an
impact towards the discipline as a means of attempting to understand the capabilities of the brain.
As the years pass on, psychologists continue to assist this discipline by adding their own
discoveries and analyzing developing inquiries. Psychology is an evolving science with no end,
due to the fact that questions are always emerging and new theories are constantly being
produced. Therefore, the main purpose of this discipline is to obtain the capability of being able
to explain, predict, and somewhat control the behavior and mental procedures of others as new
findings are continuously being made. Due to my experience with this discipline during my
Psychology 3 class, lectured by Dr. Vanessa Woods, it is evident that psychology has distinct
characteristics and methods. The discipline of psychology is allowed to clearly portray its goal of
understanding the human mind through the literary practices of visual representation, scientific
language, and standard procedures.
Based on my exposure to this discipline, I find that visual representations are the most
evident literary practices being used. My psychology professor, Dr. Woods, pertinently describes
psychology as a science with many connections and, therefore, highly suggests drawing

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

pictures in order to understand difficult and new material. Psychology pertains to somewhat of a
linear method that involves an input variable, which will cause effects to eventually create an
expected outcome. Due to this finding, diagrams and graphs are highly represented throughout
the discipline of psychology.
The literary practice of visual representations is greatly used throughout this discipline,
along with my Psychology 3 class. With the procedure of observing class lectures, it was
exceedingly noticeable that Dr. Woods would always travel towards the chalk board to sketch out
a diagram. Dr. Woods first begins class with a PowerPoint containing specific bullet points of
material, then finds a way to connect the words with a drawing. Visual representations such as
drawings of neurons and diagrams of reactions are embedded throughout the lecture. The
PowerPoints of this class also contain a dense amount of visual representations. Diagrams are
used to explain complex concepts such as the phenomenon of blind sight and the evolution of
behavior. There are strong connections all throughout psychology; therefore, psychologists have
turned to visuals in order to better understand these procedures.
Paul Schiller from the department of psychology at the University of Budapest also uses
the literary practice of visual representation throughout his journal of, Psychology and
Physiology. (1940) Schillers article is based upon the findings of psychology and how these
events are similarly correlated to physiological occurrences. He then goes on to describe how
independent variables can be intervened by variables of psychology. Schiller (1940) thoroughly
explains this process by using a diagram displaying the relations of variables (334). With the
use of a diagram, the independent, intervening, and dependent variables are displayed by
showing how each causes an effect and an outcome. It is evident that the literary practice of
visual representations is not only incorporated throughout lectures but also in writings and

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

research. However, as discussions begin to arise, visuals must take on a certain language in order
to correspond in the discipline of psychology.
Each discipline has its own specific language and method. The discipline of psychology
contains a scientific language that may be challenging to comprehend to those who have not
been exposed to the practice. As my psychology professor mentioned, science is a difficult
language that one must be able to have a real understanding for (Woods Biological Basis for
Psychology). The literary practice of scientific language allows psychologists to easily and
precisely communicate their findings and to distinguish what exactly is being described. Without
this practice, psychologists would encounter a struggle in finding the correct words to use in
attempting to express new scientific ideas. In using the language of science throughout the
discipline, specialized vocabulary is not the only necessity but also understanding how words
correlate with one another. This aspect is essential in order to be aware of the proper
circumstance for the correct use of certain language. The literary practice of scientific language
is integrated throughout the discipline of psychology through discussions, writings, and even
procedures.
The practices of visual representations and scientific language both play a part in the
primary literary practice of standard procedures. Early scientists found new discoveries and
proved innovative theories based on the concepts of following specific procedures. For instance,
if a scientist wanted to prove his or her hypothesis to be correct, other fellow scientists must
follow the scientific method. This scientific method consists of forming a hypothesis, conducting
research, preforming an experiment, analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion. If the scientists
hypothesis were true, then the findings may be translated into a theory, this is where scientific
language plays a role. The scientific method is a linear process that may also be described by

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

using a diagram. Psychologist Charles W. Lachenmeyer, from Hunter College of the City
University of New York, evidently uses specific procedures in order to form results throughout
his work. In Lachenmeyers (1972) article of The Reduction of Psychology to Physiology: A
Reinterpretation, he formulates a hypothesis of the specification of the general relations (46).
The psychologist sets up an experiment providing two distinct experimental situations: one
producing anger and the other fear. Lachenmeyer (1972) specifies and measures the expressions
then routinely analyzes his data, followed by a conclusion. Experiments such as this one are
widely used throughout the discipline of psychology. Although the research may contain
different topics, the procedures contain a specific technique.
With centuries of modifications, psychology continuously utilizes its main literary
practices. Each practice plays an important role in the discipline of psychology and continues to
shape it into the science it is today. The literary practice of visual representations allows
psychologists and those entering the field to have a better understanding of difficult topics. With
scientific language, data and information can be easily passed and understood all through out the
discipline. Ultimately, combining these practices falls into the emphasis of the main method of
standard procedures, which created the foundation of this science. Without the literary practices
of visual representations, scientific language, and standard procedures, the discipline of
psychology would not be the science it is known as today.

LITERARY PRACTICES WITHIN THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

References
Lachenmeyer, C.W. (1972). The Reduction of Psychology to Physiology: A Reinterpretation.
The Journal of General Psychology, 86(1), 39-53. Doi:10.1080/00221309. 1972.
9918490
Schiller, P. (1940). Psychology and Physiology. The Journal of General Psychology, 23(2), 329341. Doi:10.1080/00221309.1940.10544339.