Abstract

TAMAYO, RICARDO. A Checklist to Define the Psychological Processes. Rev. colomb. psicol. [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.2, pp.321-327. ISSN 0121-5469.

This essay explores a conceptual definition of psychological processes. Previous researchers from the fields of psychology and neuroscience have noted that improving the definition of psychological processes may be extremely useful to help current efforts to map the neurobiological basis of psychological phenomena. In this essay I suggest a conceptual path in which psychological processes might be characterized by their material, efficient, formal, and final causes. I briefly explore the potential use of this way of defining psychological processes for neuroscience and psychology, and also comment on the effect it may have for the traditional distinction between basic and higher-order processes.

Keywords : Aristotle; psychological processes; definition; material cause; efficient cause; formal cause; final cause; neuroscience.

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