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Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

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When approaching an assignment that asks about the development and impact of psychology as a scientific discipline, especially in relation to the U.S. government’s role, it’s essential to follow a clear and structured process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft your response:

Step 1: Understand the Question

The key question here is when did psychology begin to flourish as a scientific discipline, and why do many historians credit the U.S. government with its success? To answer this question, focus on the evolution of psychology from its philosophical roots to its current status as a science, and highlight the influence of U.S. government involvement, particularly during and after the World Wars.

Step 2: Research Key Events and Theories

• Psychology’s Roots: Research the early history of psychology, particularly Wilhelm Wundt’s role in establishing the first psychology laboratory in 1879. Also, look into how psychology evolved as a scientific discipline, distinct from philosophy.
• U.S. Government Involvement: Explore how the U.S. government supported psychology’s growth, especially during and after the World Wars. Focus on key events like the development of intelligence tests for the military and how government funding for psychological research helped establish psychology as a vital science in various sectors (e.g., mental health, education, military).

Step 3: Formulate Your Thesis Statement

Your thesis should summarize your argument about psychology’s growth as a scientific field and the role of the U.S. government. For example:

“Psychology began to flourish as a scientific discipline in the late 19th century, with significant contributions from early pioneers like Wilhelm Wundt. However, it was the U.S. government’s support during and after the World Wars that helped psychology expand and gain credibility as a crucial field in addressing national needs.”

Step 4: Organize Your Response

1. Introduction: Provide a brief history of psychology, mentioning its origins and transformation into a scientific discipline. Introduce the role of the U.S. government in this process.
2. Body:
   • When Psychology Flourished: Discuss the key milestones, such as Wundt’s laboratory and the formalization of psychology as a science.
   • Government’s Role: Examine how the U.S. government contributed, particularly through funding research, using psychology for military purposes (e.g., intelligence testing), and supporting psychology in civilian applications like mental health and education.
3. Conclusion: Summarize the key points and restate how the U.S. government’s involvement accelerated psychology’s development and its place as a scientific discipline.

Step 5: Use Proper Citations

Ensure you cite your sources correctly in APA format. For example:

• In-text citations: When mentioning specific events or ideas, make sure to credit the original author.
• Reference List: Include at least two sources, with one being academic (e.g., a peer-reviewed article, a book by an expert in psychology, etc.).

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By following these steps, you’ll be able to provide a well-organized and informed response that directly answers the question posed.