Assignment: Gestalt Psychology

Discussion #1. Sternberg and Sternberg present several paradigms and approaches, as well as their own views of thinking. Compare two of the following perspectives, describing first the two approaches you selected.
Next, note the apparent similarities in the approaches (for example, did they emerge at the same time? Are there similar research methods used?) and note their differences. Did one approach influence the other?
· William James’s approach.
· Behaviorism.
· Gestalt psychology.
· Wilhelm Wundt approach.
· The cognitive approach.
Discussion #2.Baumeister and Bushman (2014) describe Triplett’s research that demonstrates how individual performance increases in the presence of others, but in a seeming contradiction, tends to decrease when a person is part of a group performance. This is just a glimpse of the topics that social psychologists have explored and confirmed through research. As you go through the course, you will read about many past and present fascinating research studies conducted in social psychology. Social psychology relies heavily on research to understand how humans think, feel, and behave in social contexts.
For this discussion:
· Explain why research is so important to social psychology and why social psychologists rely on research rather than reaching conclusions based on perception or wisdom.
· Describe two different research designs that social psychologists use and what types of information can be gained from each. What are the limitations of each design?
In this, and in all your course discussions, be sure to offer support for your statements and follow APA guidelines.
Discussion #3. Throughout history, both scientists and non-scientists have struggled with the concept of mind versus brain. It has been a constant source of bewilderment whether the mind is in fact a dimension of the brain, or whether these two entities are separate. René Descartes (1596–1650) believed that the nonmaterial mind intervened in the operations of the brain. Material monists insist that the brain is a machine, and its operation accounts for the mind. Dualists, on the contrary, took their stand with Descartes and insisted that a two-way interaction operated between mind and brain.
To complete this discussion:
· Briefly summarize the history of the mind-brain problem and argue for the validity of either the monist’s or dualist’s theory. Although your text provides some information, additional materials will be necessary to craft a careful argument. You may wish to consult texts from other disciplines, including philosophy and economics, to support your position.