Approaches: Origin Of Psychology/Wundt Flashcards
Who was Wilhelm Wundt?
- Was considered ‘father of psychology’.
- He opened the first experimental psychology lab in Germany focusing on trying to understand psychological process of perception.
What is introspection?
- Means looking into.
- It is the examination of ones thoughts.
How was introspection performed?
Highly trained assistants would be given a stimulus such as ticking metronome and would reflect on the experience.
What would they report back with after introspection?
Would report what the stimulus made them think and feel. The same stimulus, physical surroundings and instructions were given to each person.
What are advantages of introspection?
- Wundt’s work paved the way for later controlled research and study of mental processes.
- Introspection still used today in areas of therapy.
What are disadvantages of introspection?
- Reports may be distorted, may pretend to have more positive thoughts.
- Subject reports from introspection could not be replicated therefore not reliable.
Give an overall evaluation of introspection?
May not seem particularly scientific, but it is still used today to gain access to cognitive process.
Who made the ‘Scientific Method’?
Wundt.
What was the two major assumptions the ‘scientific’ method was based on?
- All behaviour is seen as being caused (determined).
- If behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how human beings would behave in different conditions (predictability).
What are strengths of the scientific approach?
- Causes of behaviour can be established through the use of methods that are replicable.
- Knowledge acquired are more than just the passive acceptance of facts.
What are weaknesses of scientific method?
- Much of it is unobservable, therefore inaccurate.
- Some psychologists share the view that human behaviour can’t be explored through scientific methods.
What is the scientific method?
Refers to the use of investigative methods that are:
- Objective.
- Systematic.
- Replicable.
