Foundation of PsychologyChapter 3Eighteenth- and nineteenth- century precursors to a scientific psychology A characteristic of current Western society is that people derive their self-image and self-esteem from their own qualities and accomplishments rather than from the position of their family in society.Individualisation: trend in a society towards looser social relations and a greater focus by individuals on themselves than on the groups they belong to.Historians believe that this process of individualisation started sometime around the end of the Middle Ages and is still growing.Following factors are contributions:Increased complexity of societyIncreasing diversity in occupations and complexity of social relationsIncreased urbanisation and industrialisation put people into more complex and competitive social networks, in which everyone struggled to maintain a sense of dignity and meaning.As the number of occupations and trades grew, people felt a greater need to position themselves relative to others.Increased control by the stateSociety gathered and stored more and more information about its individuals, which was reported back to the citizens. This information gathering gave people the feeling of standing out of the crowd.Individuality promoted by ChristianityThis religion puts an emphasis on the solitary individual, because each person’s private state of faith and religion to God is the essence of piety.Mirrors, books and lettersThe presence of a mirror in the house made...