Approaches Flashcards
What is Wundts method of introspection
in other words what is introspection?
aims to investigate conscious, internal mental processes in order to establish scientific theories about how the mind works
What is Wundts method of introspection based on
Based upon Wundts school of psychology known as ‘structuralism’. This is because it aims to analyse the individual elements of conscious experience and how these elements combine to form our conscious experience
What does Wundts method of introspection involve
Takes place in a controlled laboratory. Participants are presented with stimuli eg a metronome. Participants would be trained to objectively analyse their conscious experience of this stimulus by breaking it down into the sensations, perceptions, emotions etc. that the stimuli produced
Give two limitations of wundts role in the emergence of psychology as a science
- criticised for being unscientific
- the study of internal mental processes was too subjective
Give tWo strengths of Wundts role in the emergence as a science
- work led to positive, scientific advancement
- elements of introspections are still used in talking therapies
What is the unconscious mind
The unconscious mind refers to the inaccessible part of the mind that we are not consciously aware of.
What are the two examples of what is stored in the unconscious
- Stores sexual and aggressive instincts and drives
- Stores disturbing memories that have been repressed
Why are things stored in the unconscious
So that we are not aware of them and we don’t remember them so they cannot cause distress upon us
What is a strength of the unconscious
It lead to practical applications for example psychoanalysis
What is a limitation of the unconscious
It offers unscientific explanations as it cannot be directly tested
What does the psychosexual stages refer to
Refers to a series of five stages that children progress through to determine their adult personality
How do you remmeber the series of psychosexual stages in the correct order
Old - Oral
Age- Anal
Pensioners- Phallic
Love- Latent
Guinness- Genital
Describe the oral stage
From 0-1 years old. Sexual energy is centred on the mouth. The child gains pleasure from sucking, tasting and biting
What are the consequences of the oral stage if fixated
Adult oral habits including smoking and biting one’s nails
Describe the anal stage
From 1-3 years old. Sexual energy is centred around the anus. This means that the child gains pleasure from withholding and/or expelling faeces
What are the consequences if fixated at anal stage
strict potty raining results in perfectionists personality
lenient potty training results in messy personality
Describe the Phallic stage
Occurs during the 3-5 years old. Sexual energy is centred around the genital area. Boys experience the oedipus complex while girls experience experience electra complex
What is the consequences if fixated in the phallic stage
Too much pleasure from the opposite sex parent in the stage could result in narcissism
Describe the latent stage
Occurs during 6-12 years old. Precious conflict are repressed and early years are forgotten. No sexual energy at this stage
Describe the Genital stage
occurs 12+ of age. sexual energy become conscious alongside puberty
What are the consequences if fixated at the genital stage
Difficulty forming relationships
Describe the oedipus complex
Boys develop an unconscious sexual drive towards their mother
Develop an aggresive drive towards their rival which is their father
Experience castration anxiety
Repress feelings for their mother and identify with their father
They therefore identify and internalise their fathers genders role and moral values
Describe the electra complex
Girls experience a penis envy and develop an unconscious sexual drive towards their father
Believe their mother had castrated them and develop an unconscious aggressive drive for their mother
Replace penis envy with desire for a baby
Identify and internalise with their mothers gender role and moral values
Evaluate the role of the psychosexual stages in human behaviour
A strength is the evidence from the case study of little Hans
A limitation is that it lacks validity + difficult establish cause and effect between fixation and adult behaviour