Personalistic and Naturalistic Theory

The study of history enables a society to understand the present better, prevent one from thinking the past is always better, and aids in the understanding of human nature. Psychology is an ever changing and evolutionary field. Recent years have presented numerous changes and increasing interest by many individuals, which have been inspired to help enhance the growth of modern psychology (Woodworth, 1918, p. 1). The use of the certain tools that have been deemed to be reliable in the fields of biology and physical sciences have been implemented in modern psychology to aid in the fields' growth to take on an identity of its own (Schultz & Schultz, 2004, p. 2). This paper will discuss the personalistic and naturalistic theory and how the two fields relate to zeitgeist.

Personalistic and Naturalistic Theories in Relation to Zeitgeist Theory

The personalistic theory of modern psychology suggests that changes made in society are the direct result of an individual(s). The focus of the personalistic theory places emphasis on those thought to be unique individuals that have contributed to the progress of psychology and accomplished known achievements McCauley (2008, p. 5). Andreas Vesalius has been considered by many to be the originator of the human anatomy and William Harvey has been describing to have taken the role of laying the foundation for modern psychology Fearing (1929, p.1). Vesalius and Harvey were men both scholars of biological science, in which this field had not begun to advance until the seventeenth century.

Although these two men had substantial evidence prior to the seventeenth century their work was not recognized by other scholars of that era. It was not until Descartes, a systematist of his field, used his exper...

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...ing along with the personalistic theory. However, much of the naturalistic theory has been long believed to be a contributing factor of the zeitgeist theory. Nevertheless, all three theories, in one way or another, intertwines, whether it has been acknowledged in this era of time or in history.

Works Cited

Fearing, F.F. (1929). Rene Descartes. A study in the history of the theories of reflex action.

psychological review, 36(5), 375-388.

Kogan, N. (2008). Commentary: Divergent-thinking research and the zeitgeist. Psychology of

Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 2(2), 100-102.

Schultz, D. P. & Schultz, S. E. (2012). A History of Modern Psychology, (10th Ed.). Wadsworth,

Cengage Learning, Pp. 1-58

Simonton, D. K. (1979). Multiple discovery and invention: Zeitgeist, genus, or chance?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 37(9), 1603-1616.