Approaches - Origins of Psychology (PAPER 2)

Question 1

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Answer 1

The first person to study the mind using scientific techniques - The Father of Psychology

Question 2

What is a science?

Answer 2

Discovering the physical and natural world systematically and objectively using empirical methods such as observation and experimentation

Question 3

Where and when did Wundt set up his lab?

Answer 3

Liepzig, Germany in the 1870s

Question 4

What is structuralism?

Answer 4

Describing the mind in terms of its simplest definable components

Question 5

What is introspection?

Answer 5

• PPs asked to focus on a sensory object (e.g. metronome)
• PPs systematically report their experiences as of the object by breaking their thoughts into seperate elements
• Reporting sensations, feelings, and images

Question 6

What type of observation is introspection?

Answer 6

Inferences through indirect observation

Question 7

In what ways is Wundt’s research seen positively (AO3)

Answer 7

Highly scientific - systematic approach allowed development of general theories and a move from philosophical views previous

Question 8

How do some psychologists criticise Wundt’s work? (AO3)

Answer 8

• Subjective and not truly scientific (inferences)
• Often influenced by demand characteristics

Question 9

Which other approach built on and improved Wundt’s work? (AO3)

Answer 9

• BHism - ignored internal processes
• Congnitive - studied these inside processes