Psychology in Shakespeare?
Even though many of the psychologist we are familiar with today came after Shakespeare's time, Shakespeare gives many variations of psychology within his work. How do you think Petruchio tamed Katherina? Why does Katherina always pick on her sister? The play gives substantial evidence indicating these instances to be psychological.
The first example we came up that indicates psychology was an example of Displacement. In Act 2, Scene 1, Katherina unleashes her fury toward her father when she implies that Bianca is his treasure. With all that built up anger, she lashes out at everyone (mostly Bianca, since she is the prize of their father's eye).
Another example we came up with relating to psychology is an example of Aversion Therapy. Petruchio's actions (undesirable behavior) towards his servants as well as depriving Katherina of food, sleep, and sex is a form of classical conditioning. By being a stimulus, Petruchio conditions Katherina into being tamed. By praising her when she is nice, he is demonstrating Positive Reinforcement and when he gives her food and allows her to sleep after depriving her of that, he is demonstrating Negative Reinforcement.
The first example we came up that indicates psychology was an example of Displacement. In Act 2, Scene 1, Katherina unleashes her fury toward her father when she implies that Bianca is his treasure. With all that built up anger, she lashes out at everyone (mostly Bianca, since she is the prize of their father's eye).
Another example we came up with relating to psychology is an example of Aversion Therapy. Petruchio's actions (undesirable behavior) towards his servants as well as depriving Katherina of food, sleep, and sex is a form of classical conditioning. By being a stimulus, Petruchio conditions Katherina into being tamed. By praising her when she is nice, he is demonstrating Positive Reinforcement and when he gives her food and allows her to sleep after depriving her of that, he is demonstrating Negative Reinforcement.