Approaches 1 : Wundts Flashcards
How did Wundt start psychology?
He set up a laboratory in Germany with the aim of uncovering components of conscious experience.
What did Wundts research lead to?
It lead to the development of structuralism (first ever psychological approach).
How did Wundt make a contribution to the emergence of Psychology using the empirical method?
Wundt used Introspection (process of analysing one’s subconscious experience) , which involved individuals reflecting on their own thoughts, feelings and sensations in a controlled experimental setting. Systematically, collecting data about the inner experiences of individuals was Wundts attempt to apply the empirical method. Therefore, by involving the empirical method, Wundt helped psychology emerge as a science.
How did Wundt fail to fully contribute the emergence of science due to his lack of objectivity?
Although Wundt attempted to reduce bias and interpretation, using complete objectivity in introspection is challenging, as interpretations and descriptions of internal experiences are inherently subjective. Different individuals may have different opinions even in the same experience, making it difficult to establish a complete objective method. Therefore, despite attempts to reduce bias, Wundt failed to study the mind objectively, meaning
Wundt’s psychology had not yet emerged as a scientific discipline
How did Wundt fail to fully contribute the emergence of science due to his lack of replicability?
Although Wundt attempted to set out his method for training observers and conducting introspection, allowing others to replicate his method. The results were highly subjective and other researchers produced different results the Wundt. The subconscious mind and assumptions following are relatively subjective to the individuals therefore are likely to differ as interpretation and bias play a roll in the results. Conclusively, it doesn’t allow psychology to fully emerge as scientific discipline.
How did Wundts approach entail a belief in determinism?
This is evident from Wundts use of experimental methods. For example: introspection. Wundt manipulated one variable (a stimulus presented to the trained observer), to see how it affected another (the observers report of their conscious experience). The use of introspection and Wundts experimental methods reveal his belief in determinism. Experiments are used to measure cause and effect of the IV on the DV.
Why was Wundts approach criticised by other Psychological approaches for being too reductionist?
