(2) ORIGINS & SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Question 1

Who is known as the ‘Father of Psychology’?

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Wundt is credited for establishing psychology as a distinct scientific discipline.

Question 2

What significant contribution did Wundt make in relation to psychology and philosophy?

Answer 2

He was the first to separate psychology from philosophy

This separation allowed psychology to be studied as an empirical science.

Question 3

What method did Wundt use to analyze the workings of the mind?

Answer 3

Introspection

Introspection involves examining one’s own conscious thoughts and feelings.

Question 4

What does the term ‘introspection’ mean?

Answer 4

Looking into

It refers to the examination of one’s own cognitive processes.

Question 5

What was the purpose of Wundt’s use of introspection?

Answer 5

To have participants describe and reflect on their own cognitive processes

This approach aimed to gain insights into the structure of the mind.

Question 6

What scientific approach did Wundt apply to establish psychology as a science?

Answer 6

The scientific method

This involved systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis.

Question 7

What psychological theory is Wilhelm Wundt associated with?

Answer 7

Structuralism

Structuralism focuses on identifying the simplest definable components of the mind.

Question 8

List some examples of components that structuralism identifies.

Answer 8

• Sensations
• Images
• Feelings

These components are seen as the building blocks of conscious experience.

Question 9

How did Wundt conduct his introspection experiments?

Answer 9

Highly trained assistants were given standardized stimuli

An example of a stimulus used was a ticking metronome.

Question 10

What was the goal of providing the same stimulus, surroundings, and instructions to each participant in Wundt’s experiments?

Answer 10

To ensure consistency and reliability in the introspective reports

This standardization aimed to produce comparable data across different participants.

Question 11

Origins of Psych evaluation:

Answer 11

GOOD
- Wundt work allowed psych to be established as science
BAD
-subconscious can influence introspection
-participants can lie

Question 12

Scientific method criteria:

Answer 12

Systematic - experiments carried out in order (same procedure every time)
Objective - free from bias
Replicable - not replicable = not reliable
Empirical - theories must be based on experiments