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Today in the History of Psychology
| Date: | On March 12, 1986 |
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Summary of Event (150 words) |
The APA journal Psychology and Aging was published on March 12, 1986. The first editor for this journal was M. Powell Lawton. Dr. M. Powell Lawton is known for his leading role in research on aging, physical and psychological needs of the elderly ( March 12, 1986 in Psychology) . He published numerous books, especially on the 'environment and aging,' which were later published in the journal of Psychology and Aging . The contribution of Dr. Lawton became known in the 1960s following his investigations into the psychological and social aspects of aging. The journal incorporates most of his work, especially on the need for living spaces and best accommodation facilities for the elderly living with Alzheimer's and other psychological diseases associated with old age. The journal publishes original articles to advance knowledge about adult development and aging. The primary focus for publishing this journal was to report on empirical findings and inform theories on the psychological science of aging and adult development ( March 12, 1986 in Psychology) . The journal covers research on adult development and aging in applied, clinical education, biobehavioral, experimental, or psychosocial. |
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Influence in Psychology (150 words each) |
1, Publishing of APA journal Psychology and Aging helps psychologists to continue studying successful aging and longevity. Studies in the article suggest that environmental and behavioral factors contribute to healthy aging. Many older adults report dementia and other mental conditions that minimize cognitive functioning and ensure a better quality of end of life. Interventions to improve the quality of aging should begin at early life, midlife, and late life. Articles published in this journal define three criteria for successful aging. Firsts are relative avoidance of diseases, smoking, obesity, disability, maintenance of high physical and cognitive functioning, and active social activities ( Lawton et al., 2002) . Research and behavioral interventions show that cognitive functioning declines during old age. Also, individuals experience declined physical exercise and other lifestyle interventions. APA journal Psychology and Aging increases education on how psychologists can minimize cognitive and physical functioning decline during older age ( March 12, 1986 in Psychology) . The journal helps reduce aging illiteracy by providing aging-focused training to older adults, families, and the community. |
| 2. The journal addresses the issue of mental health needs among older adults. Psychologists are interested in understanding the rising mental health needs among older adults and developing an effective measure to address the problem. The older population is growing faster in the US, with the highest number being immigrants and racial minority groups who live below the poverty level. Various articles published in the journal of Psychology and Aging shows that mental and behavioral health problem among older adults is expected to quadruple to 15 million in 2030 ( Lawton et al., 2006) . The article published in this journal helps psychologists further understand mental and behavioral health issues like depression, anxiety, and how to cope with physical, mental problems, caring for older patients with dementia, Alzheimer's, disability, and other health issues. Further, the psychologist educates society on the best way to grief the death of loved ones and manage conflicts. Through this journal, psychologists have learned how to address mental health needs and offer adequate support for the growing older population. | |
| 3. Establishment of the first edition of the APA journal Psychology and Aging helped in a better understanding of the principles of adult development and their applications. The publication teaches that adults have a higher sense of self-direction and motivation. From the age of 60 and above, most people already know what they want in life and are fully motivated in life. They use their life experiences to facilitate learning and teach the young generation how to succeed in life. Individuals view themselves differently in the psychosocial aspect of life. The four major principles of psychosocial learning included in the APA journal Psychology and Aging include continuous changes over time. Patterns of changes that begin at conception continuous throughout the life of a human being until death. The second principle is that individual differences matter. Third, only survivors grow old. In this principle, survival is influenced by Bio Psycho Social Model (inherited genes, emotional health, and good support). The fourth principle is that normal aging differs from diseased aging. Understanding these principles help psychologists understand changes during older age and develop strategies to improve their cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. |
| Date: | On August 9. 1896 |
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Summary of Event (150 words) |
Jean Piaget was born on August 9, 1896. Piaget is among the most influential people in the development of psychology in the 20 th century. Jean Piaget is well-known as a psychologist and genetic epistemologist based on his theory of cognitive development (August 9, 1896 in Psychology) . In 1969, Paiget received APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award. Piaget wrote about genetic epistemology, describing stages of a child's cognitive development and related behaviors across every stage. Before the development of Piaget’s theory, children were believed to be mini-adults with more minor cognitive abilities. Piaget used the knowledge and experience learned from observing his children develop his theories epistemology theory. Piaget focused on understanding the nature of thoughts, their development and understand how genetics impact psychological development. Epistemology philosophy deals with the origin, nature, extent, and limits of human knowledge and the impact of genetics on these processes. In his theory, Piaget asserts that children thinking is significantly different from adults. Contemporary studies on children's development draw their idea from Piaget's psychology. |
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Influence in Psychology (150 words each) |
1, Piaget's theory has positively influenced the emergence of developmental psychology. The theory has helped in understanding the cognitive development of children across various stages. The first stage of cognitive development is the sensorimotor stage which begins from birth until two years. During this stage, children learn about their world through their sense and motor movements. The second stage is the preoperational stage which begins when the child is two years up to seven years. At this stage, children start to develop language and start to understand the meaning of various symbols. The concrete operational stage of cognitive development starts from age seven until the child is eleven years. This stage is characterized by logical reasoning. The child shows try to understand abstracts and theoretical thinking in various subjects. The last stage of formal operational occurs during adolescents into adulthood. Children at this stage are more adept and highly engage in deductive reasoning. Modern psychologist uses idea the four stages to developing other stages of childhood development. |
| 2.Piaget help psychologist understand that the thinking of children significantly differs from that of adults. Cognitive development is a continuous process from birth until death. Piaget believed that children take an active role in the learning process through observing, participating in experiments, and learning about the surrounding. Children continually acquire new knowledge about the world as they interact with surrounding. Different from past psychologists, Piaget presents a unique understanding of childhood development. Piaget argues that children acquire their knowledge through experience and interactions into groups known as schemas ( Waite, 2017) . Children either assimilate new information into schemas, or they accommodate them through reversing the schemas. According to Piaget, children constantly create and re-create their model of reality and achieve mental growth. Piaget asserts that teachers act as transmitters of knowledge by guiding children to discover the world and develop their mental abilities. The field of psychology uses the idea to teach how children's intelligence develops until their adulthood. | |
| 3. Paiget is accredited as the pioneer of constructivist theory. According to constructivist theory, social interaction and experiences influence the construction of knowledge. Other psychologists like Vygotsky drew their ideas from Piaget's work when developing the theory of active learning. Piaget and Vygotsky developed the individual cognitive constructivists and the social constructivists. Although the two theories differ, they all assert that social interaction plays a vital role in cognitive development. Piaget's theory of constructivism has a positive impact on psychology and other disciplines ( Waite, 2017) . Teachers are trained on these psychological concepts that impact students learning abilities. Piaget's construction theory help psychologists understand how people produce knowledge and form meanings based on their experiences. Further, Piaget's construction theory addresses how learning occurs; however, it does not focus on the factors influencing learning. The role of a teacher in constructing meaning is vital as they act as coaches, mentors, and consultants. |
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| Date: | On February 12, 1809 |
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Summary of Event (150 words) |
On February 12, 1809 Charles Darwin was born at Shrewsbury, England. Darwin is known as the modern evolutionary studies following his discovery of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin was the first person to suggest that humans and animals share a common ancestry ( February 12, 1809 in Psychology) . The knowledge of natural selection is passed from one generation to another, primarily the notion of DNA sequence. Darwin wanted to understand how organisms passed certain traits to their offsprings. Darwin conducted several research and experiments to observe the principles of botany, zoology, and geology. The theory of evolution by natural selection was developed between 1837-1839. Darwin published the theory in 1859 in the book On the Origin of Species. Darwin's theory of evolution asserts that species survive through the process of natural selection where those that successfully adapt to the environment evolve and change the requirement of their natural habitat. |
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Influence in Psychology words each) |
1, Evolution theory by natural selection contributed to the field of psychology by opening human qualities to scientific inspection. Darwin's theory has been very useful in helping us understand a lot of, at one time, seemingly unconnected facts in biology. Human beings have unique characters that help them survive in a specific environment better than others. Darwin uses human qualities to explore ethical and moral issues that influence human behaviors. Darwin observed the behavior of several birds, plants, and fossils to identify similarities among species globally and their variations based on locations. Darwin shows that higher organisms have a better chance to survive in particular environments due to the enhanced degree of organization of cells - more complex creatures can solve more complex problems ( Burghardt, 2009) . Evolutionary psychology by Darwin is a theoretical lens that informs all other branches of psychology. The theory asserts that the evolutionary process is sculpted in body, brain, and psychological mechanisms housing the process and behavior produced. Most mechanisms suggested by Darwin are conceptualized as psychological adaptations designed to solve issues and contribute to survival and reproduction. Over the years, scientists have researched how human qualities influence other fields of psychology. |
| 2. Evolution theory of natural selection gave rise to comparative psychology. Comparative psychology covers broad topics like sensory processes, reproductive behavior, orientation, and learning processes ( Burghardt, 2009) . The comparative mentality was central to Darwinism. Darwinism explains various aspects of human behavior that originate in both non-human ancestors and unique behavioral humans found in rudimentary form in other species. This side of Darwin was introduced in 1950 following the reaction from human chauvinists in biology, social science, and humanities. Darwin proposed the idea of serious science of mental continuity. The modern field study of comparative psychology is traced from the evolution theory on mental continuity in the Descent of Man. Other scientists began to research and experiments on animal intelligence and other psychological traits. The behavior of domesticated animals like dogs, pigeons, and mice was compared to that of animals. Contemporary cognitive processes draw from Darwinism like language-like behaviors, construction, symbolic communication, and others. Other comparative psychology studies drawn from Darwinism involve cultural transmission, social learning, and others. | |
| 3. Darwinism theory strongly influenced developmental psychology. After the development of the theory of evolution and natural selection, psychologists began exploring the human mental revolution. The contribution of Darwin to the field of psychology is grouped in his doctrine of evolution, which contributes to intelligence evolution of mind in animals and human beings and emotional expression. Publication of Descent of Man in 1871 was a major area of psychology that emerged from Darwinism evolution theory. The publication asserts that mental life is intimately connected with psychological processes to investigate experiments and psychological lines. Also, Darwin contributed to the development of genetic psychology. Genetic psychology applies Darwinism principles that help human beings have control over mental life emotions. Lastly, Darwinism help psychologist understands that human minds are a direct outgrowth of animal minds. Mentality evolves from the lowest to the highest. |
References
August 9, 1899 in Psychology . Retrieved April 18, 2021, from the American Psychological Association Historical Database Web site at Central Washington University: https://www.cwu.edu/~warren/calendar/cal0809.html
Burghardt, G. M. (2009). Darwin's legacy to comparative psychology and ethology. American Psychologist , 64 (2), 102.
February 12, 1809 in Psychology . Retrieved April 18, 2021, from the American Psychological Association Historical Database Web site at Central Washington University: https://www.cwu.edu/~warren/calendar/cal0212.html
Lawton, M. P., Moss, M. S., Winter, L., & Hoffman, C. (2002). Motivation in later life: Personal projects and well-being. Psychology and Aging , 17 (4), 539.
March 12, 1986 in Psychology . Retrieved April 18, 2021, from the American Psychological Association Historical Database Web site at Central Washington University: https://www.cwu.edu/~warren/calendar/cal0312.html
Waite-Stupiansky, S. (2017). Jean Piaget’s constructivist theory of learning. Theories of early childhood education: Developmental, behaviorist, and critical , 3-17.
