This is a big topic, but a good starting point would be Locke’s tabula rossa theory. “Tabula rossa” translates to “blank slate,” and the theory states that at birth, each individual is a blank slate without preferences or biases. Therefore, you could consider psychology the study of how one moves from a blank slate to complicated individual. “Tabula rossa” stresses the importance of environment over genetics, so look to the traditionalists of psychology: Freud (of course), Skinner, and the behaviorists.
lcraesharbor said,
Wrote on June 16, 2010 @ 6:38 am
This is a big topic, but a good starting point would be Locke’s tabula rossa theory. “Tabula rossa” translates to “blank slate,” and the theory states that at birth, each individual is a blank slate without preferences or biases. Therefore, you could consider psychology the study of how one moves from a blank slate to complicated individual. “Tabula rossa” stresses the importance of environment over genetics, so look to the traditionalists of psychology: Freud (of course), Skinner, and the behaviorists.