Psychology 405 Chapter 8 Review Hoffman 1

Metropolitan State University Fall 2021

Psychology 405: History & Systems

Module #8 is due on or before Friday, 10.29.21

Chapter 8 Review Sheet: Applied Psychology – The Legacy of Functionalism

1. Briefly discuss the significance for the field of psychology of the Coca Cola trial and
Hollingworth’s research. Why was the work of Hollingworth particularly important for the future
of psychology?

They demonstrated that sound experimental research could be funded by a large corporation without
dictating or otherwise influencing the results, as well as that psychologists could have successful and
financially rewarding careers in applied psychology without jeopardizing their professional integrity.

2. Why did Wundtian Psychology and Titchener’s Structuralism fail to survive in the United States
after the 19th Century?

Because their structuralism did not last, they developed to functionalism, which was more useful in
everyday life. Their structuralism couldn't last long in the American intellectual atmosphere, the
American Zeitgeist, therefore they developed into functionalism. While a structuralist is interested in
mental contents, or the "what?" of consciousness, a functional psychologist is interested in mental
processes, or the "how?" and "why?" of consciousness.

3. How did economic factors influence the development of applied psychology? How did C. A.
Ruckmick contribute to these changes in 1912?

Those without a stable source of income were obliged to search for work outside of the institution to
make ends meet. The answer was to apply psychology to public schooling in order to make it worthwhile.
A large number of Americans with PhD degrees were forced to hunt for work outside of academia. In
applied psychology, the application to education was crucial (about 1910). Used psychologists applied
their theories in real-life settings like as schools, industries, advertising firms, courthouses, chill advice
clinics, and mental health facilities. Psychology was progressing in the actual world as well as in
classrooms and experimental laboratories.

4. Describe how American psychology prospered in the United States from 1880 – 1900 (hint – 6
bulleted points pages 160 – 161):

An American psychologist who studied in Germany returned to the United States with Darwin's
information rather than Wundt's. People no longer wanted to hear about the mind; they wanted
information that they could put to use. There were no laboratories in the United States in 1880, but by
1990, there were 41, which were more equipped than German laboratories. There were no American
psychological journals in 1880, but three by 1895. In 1880, Americans were required to study psychology
in Germany, but by 1900, the majority had chosen to enroll in programs in the United States. By the end
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of the century, more than 100 ph.d.s in psychology had been conferred. The percentage of articles
authored in English increased from 30% to 52%.

5. How did Cattell describe “mental tests”? How were these different from Binet’s test of mental
ability?

Cattell intended to increase the value of psychology by applying it to real-life circumstances that would
benefit people. Cattle symbolized American psychology's functionalist attitude. Cattell advocated for a
practical, test-oriented approach to mental processes research. He was more interested in human
capacities than in awareness. He was a pioneer in emphasizing measurement, ranks, and evaluations.
The phrase "mental test" was created by Cattell, but Binet was the first to actually evaluate mental
capacity. Binet disagreed with Cattell's method of attempting to quantify IQ through testing of
sensorimotor processes. Binet pioneered the use of increasingly complicated tests, ushering in the
contemporary era of intelligence testing.

6. How did WWI influence the area of psychological testing?

During WWI, the Army Alpha and Army Beta tests were conducted. These were used to determine the IQ
level of the recruits. The idea was to be able to test a large number of people at once (not one-on-one
like others). Following WWI, assessment testing became quite popular and pervasive in both the
commercial and educational worlds. The employment of psychological evaluations by the US
government appears to have given them legitimacy among the broader populace. The significance of the
testing movement is explored through developed group testing, application in schools and the
workplace, and how they were utilized to keep "feebleminded" immigrants out of the United States.

7. What is I.Q.? How is it achieved or measured?

The goal of the study was to establish the levels in terms of measuring the talents of children of various
ages. The test taker's mental age was divided by their chronological age, and the result was multiplied
by 100.

8. Briefly discuss the Hawthorne studies of the Western Electric Company in 1927. How did this
influence the field of industrial organizational psychology?

Workers were extremely sensitive to extra attention from their supervisors and the impression that their
managers genuinely cared about and were interested in their job, according to the Hawthorne studies.
The Human Relations Movement in corporate management grew out of the Hawthorne Studies. Workers
were persuaded that management cared about them because of the unique attention they received as a
result of participating in the trial. This improved employee morale and resulted in higher production.

9. How has Functionalism and American psychology influenced the field and growth of psychology
as a science (hint – see 5 bulleted points page 188):
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The goal of functionalists was to describe mental processes in a more systematic and precise way.
Functionalists focused on the goal of awareness and conduct rather than the aspects of consciousness.
Individual differences were also stressed by functionalism, which had a significant influence on schooling.