Describe the contributions and limitations of key researchers to the development of psychology
Define Freud’s psychoanalytical theory
Define Gestalt psychology
Apply It pages (like this one) give you the opportunity to practice and extend what you’ve learned in the Learn It readings. They’re designed to help you:
Explore thought-provoking questions and activities.
Connect concepts to real-world examples.
Get ready for class discussions, self-checks, and quizzes.
Think of these as a space to apply your knowledge before moving on. Take the time to watch the videos and respond to questions to deepen your understanding of the concepts.
Early psychologists made significant contributions to the field, but their perspectives were often limited by a lack of diverse populations of interest and participants. Review this video to learn more about WEIRD populations in psychology.
You can view the transcript for “The Hidden Biases in WEIRD Psychology Research” here (opens in new window).Reflecting on the video, what lessons can we learn from the history of psychology in terms of the importance of considering diverse populations and cultures in research?
The history of psychology teaches us that considering diverse populations and cultures in research is crucial to avoid narrow generalizations that may not apply to all humans.
How might this knowledge shape your approach to studying and conducting psychological research in the future?
The knowledge of the WEIRD bias could shape future approaches to psychological research by emphasizing the inclusion of diverse populations, cultures, and perspectives to enhance the validity and applicability of findings
What are some potential biases or assumptions that can arise from studying predominantly Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic populations in psychology research?
Potential biases and assumptions that can arise from studying predominantly WEIRD populations include overlooking the unique perspectives and behaviors of non-WEIRD cultures and assuming that findings from WEIRD populations apply universally.
If the study of psychology is WEIRD (western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic), why is that a problem?
Psychology’s WEIRD problem refers to the tendency of psychological research to rely heavily on participants who are Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic. This phenomenon has been identified as a problem because it creates a bias in the research, leading to an overemphasis on the experiences and perspectives of people from these particular cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
There are several reasons why this is problematic:
Limited generalizability: Studies that rely solely on WEIRD participants may not accurately represent the broader population. This is because the experiences, values, and beliefs of people from non-WEIRD cultures can differ significantly from those of WEIRD cultures, and these differences can impact behavior and psychological processes.
Cultural bias: The emphasis on WEIRD participants can lead to a bias in the theories and concepts that emerge from psychological research. Theories and concepts developed using WEIRD samples may not apply to people from non-WEIRD cultures, leading to a limited understanding of human behavior and psychology.
Ethical concerns: The overreliance on WEIRD participants can also raise ethical concerns, as it can be seen as a form of cultural imperialism. This is because the research may be used to make claims about people from non-WEIRD cultures, without taking into account the unique cultural contexts and experiences of those individuals.
Overall, the WEIRD problem highlights the need for greater cultural diversity in psychological research, and for researchers to consider the unique experiences and perspectives of people from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
You can explore this interactive timeline created by the American Psychological Association to review many of the major milestones in the history of psychology. Next, compare that timeline from above to this historical chronology, published by the APA in 2021 as an effort to document some of the damaging work perpetuated by the APA over the past hundred-plus years.
What types of things do you notice within the APA’s historical chronology that were left out of the traditional timeline you viewed above?
Answers here will vary, but the Historical Chronology touches “broadly on harms done to racial and ethnic groups” and acknowledges ways that the APA was involved in perpetuating racist or discriminatory views. It also highlights key milestones in the history of minoritized groups as connected to the APA. It’s interesting and helpful to view the bigger picture. For example, knowing the APA was founded in 1892 is nice, but it’s worth noting that when it was founded, G. Stanley Hall was voted the president and only 31 White males were elected to membership.