approaches: origins & Wundt Flashcards
who is Wundt
Wundt created the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 - his work marked the beginning of scientific psychology rather than the old philosophical roots.
what was Wundt’s aim in studying psychology
His aim consisted of trying to analyse the nature of human consciousness - represented the 1st systematic attempt to study the mind under controlled conditions. His method became known as introspection
what is introspection
the 1st systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
what was Wundt’s standardised procedure
Wundt and his co-workers recored their experiences of various stimuli they were presented with; such as different objects or sounds- they divide they observations into 3 categories: thoughts, images, and sensations.
The ppts were given a ticking metronome and told to report their thoughts, images and sensations.
evaluate Wundt’s work
P - + - some of his methods were systematic and well-controlled
E - all introspections were recorded in controlled environment - no extraneous variables
T - his research can be used validly for other further scientific approaches in psychology
P - L - his research is considered outdated
E - Wundt relied on ppts self-reporting their mental processes - many ppts may have hidden their thoughts
T - some of his research was flawed so less valid
