Physiologists came to psychology with backgrounds in biology and medicine, symbolized by this stethoscope. Physiological Roots Summary In the 1800s, doctors and biologists began to ask psychological inquiries. They studied the senses and the nervous system and our responses to stimuli. Charles Darwin's theory of evolution caused people to draw psychological parallels between themselves and other animals. Scientists discovered that language skills and certain parts of the brain were linked. Psychological means of curing diseases, like hypnosis, was first employed.

Important People in Psychology's Physiological Roots Herman von Helmholtz (AD 1850s and 1860s): Helmholtz studies the senses. He studied sensory receptors to better understand nerve impulses, vision, hearing, and spatial perception. Gustav Fechner (AD 1850s and 1860s): Fechner studied the relationship between stimuli and our sensations. He tried to find the minimum intensity of a stimulus that we can sense. Charles Darwin (AD 1859): Darwin published On The Origin of Species, which put forth his idea that natural selection drove the evolution of different species. His ideas drew comparison between humans and other species and led to the rise of animal use in psychology experiments.

Philosophical Roots Physiological Roots Pseudoscientific Schools of Thought Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt Behaviorism Humanism Cognitive Psychology's Roots Home

by Steven N. Jacowski, September 20, 2004
Mr. Ward's AP Psychology - 6th
Craig High School