u02d2 Psychology in Context

Psychology is an evidence-based science and may be understood in many ways. These ways may include history, philosophy, biography, intuition, myths, and magic. These thoughts about society have ancient origins and were founded for the purpose of developing a systematic way of understanding human behavior and social order. These ways of knowing occur in context, that is the thoughts and ideas that prevailed during a specific period. The perceptions and interpretations of the context may differ according to western and non-western thoughts and scientific and non-scientific ways of knowing. Select one western theorist and one non-western theorist or one scientific and one non-scientific theorist. Using two peer-reviewed articles, differentiate between western and non-western thoughts or scientific and non-scientific thoughts. Discuss how the chosen theories evolved. Evaluate the similarities and the differences. Assess their contributions to the science of psychology.

Response Guidelines
Respond to at least two other learners. Your responses to other learners are expected to be substantive in nature and reference the assigned readings, as well as other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature to support your views and writings.

Resources

Attributes and Evaluation of Discussion Contributions. Professional Communications and Writing Guide.

The philosophical and sociocultural milieu of seventeenth century Europe produced the mechanistic theory of the clockwork universe which laid the groundwork for one of the most profound streams of rationalism in contemporary western thought. The Zeitgeist of science and philosophy had adopted automata as a way of conceptualizing the physical universe and this concept was soon applied to human functioning and behavior (Schultz & Schultz, 2008). Philosophies such as Descartes empirical approach to mind and body, and his radical distinction between mental and physical qualities formed one of the most influential ideological underpinnings in the history and development of western schools of thought. Descartes vehemently presented prima facie evidence for a physical-psychological duality which would become a dominant element in western psychophysiological theory. Furthermore, he was instrumental in disengaging the attention of researchers and scholars from a theological and subjective metaphysical concept of the soul to one of pure objective observation and experimentation in the study of mental functioning. Descartes central theme was based upon the premise of the separation of the minds capacity for knowledge from the material conditions of the knower. Fisher (1995) advocates that without the qualities of a Cartesian image of personhood there would be no conceptual means by which western thought and psychology, so dependent upon self reflective individualism, could uphold moral categories, freedom of choice and individual responsibility. His vehement assent to the Cartesian model reiterates a long and widely held western philosophical tradition of volition expressed through the individualistic, rational thoughts of autonomous free willed man unhindered by physical, social, cultural or divine sources. This philosophy is also reflected in Western counseling and psychotherapy. Autonomy, independence and self sufficiency are esteemed western values that represent healthy psychological functioning. The ultimate goals of the therapeutic process are often expressed in palatable forms of self awareness and personal growth.

Gergen (1995) advocates a postmodern feminist position favoring a disruption of the hierarchical order and defining the meaning of experiences as historically and sociocultural embedded. She states that Descartes model only enables those who control important social resources to justify their positions of dominance. Although many theorists believe that the influences of postmodernism have all but faded, Gergens point is well taken in contrast to pure empiricism. The echoes of global community and cultural relativism in Gergens work suggest a movement towards a broader and new understanding and paradigm of social and psychological meaning and order. This paradigm reflects nonwestern values of interdependence, collectivism, integration, reciprocity, community concern and global harmony. Indeed if psychology is to eradicate the inherent prejudice and cultural oppression of its jaded past, one must acknowledge that attitudes, perceptions and behaviors are also embedded in a multiculturalism and historical memory. Therefore in contrast to Descartes approach, it seems meaningless to speculate whether one can transcend their historical and material conditions and independently reflect upon their experiences. In psychological practice, this is a call to reexamine the assumptions underlying the assumptions regarding definitions of health and pathology (Gergen, 1995). The promise of replacing western philosophical models is becoming increasingly more than enticing to many reflective theorists. According to Edge (2004), a nonwestern approach based upon interconnectedness to reality invites exploration of phenomenological discoveries such as directed dissociation in search for transcendence and wholeness. As an expansion of Rogerian self actualization, directed dissociation is grounded in a preparadigmatic model that involves the ability to intentionally navigate and explore metaphysical and transcendent states within the realm of consciousness. In contrast to Descartes theory, there is a significant diminution of mind-body separation in what Edge believes is an evolutionary thrust in our natural tendency to dissociate and fuse the eternal with the temporal. Anthony Rhodes General Psychology PhD. References Edge, Linda W.. (2004). A Phenomenological Study of Directed Dissociation. Journal of Humanistic Psychology. 44, 155. Retrieved Jan 21, 2010 from http://tap.sagepub.com. Fisher, H. (1995). Whose right is it to define self? Theory Psychology, 5, 323-352. Retrieved Jan 21, 2010 from http://tap.sagepub.com. Gergen, Mary. (1995). Portmodern, Post Cartesian Positionings on the Subject of Psychology, Theory Psychology, 5, 361. Retrieved Jan, 21, 2010 from http://tap.sagepub.com. Schultz, D. P. & Schultz, S. E. (2008). A history of modern psychology (9th ed.). Belmont: CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9780495097990.