Lession 2 Psych320

1. As we study and research different areas of psychology, we come to find that there are so many different theories and beliefs. History follows suit. Cyclical hypothesis of history is one theory or model of history. In this hypothesis, historians believe that history does, in fact, repeat itself. The repetitions also display a pattern. We study these patterns so that we are able to predict and identify them. Certain details, however, do become altered throughout the course of history. Examples include economy and seasons of the year.

Linear Progressive model of History is another theory that historians have come up with. In this particular model, historians believe that “new discoveries and knowledge emerge over time…” (Lawson, Graham, Baker 41.) Basically, things are evolving everyday. We are exposed to new things all of the time.

Another model of the nature of history is the chaos hypothesis. With this particular hypothesis, there are no real patterns and events arise completely randomly.

2. There are two different theories of approach when speaking of history and what shapes it. They are the Personalistic theory and the Naturalistic or Zeitgeist approach. The Personalistic theory of history claims many great people make up a culture and a particular time in history. These certain people are said to have wonderful characteristics, skills, personalities, and insight. The Personalistic Theory argues that these motivated people end up making history. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela created the Civil Rights era. (Lawson, Graham, Baker 43)

The Naturalistic Theory, on the other hand takes these individuals’ credit away. With this theory, the idea of an entire culture is dominant in shaping history.

3. The study of psychology has been developing and growing over the course of history. Until mid 1970’s, history of psychology was researched with a very traditional approach. Professor Laurel Furumoto...