Chapter 4 Approaches - Origins of Psychology Flashcards
Wundt & introspection - Wundt´s lab?
First psychological lab in Leipzig, introduced introspection to study the human mind systematically (scientific).
Wundt & introspection - Standardised procedures?
Observations of objects & sounds are recorded.
Wundt & introspection - Structuralism?
Consciousness divided into 3 categories: thoughts, images, sensations (structuralism).
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection - Scientific? STRONG
Controlled environment, carefully standardised.
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection - Subjective data? WEAK
General laws not possible as all introspections are different.
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection - Wundt´s contribution?
The founder of modern psychology.
The emergence of Psychology as a science?
Science involves systematic & objective measurement to discover general laws.
The emergence of Psychology as a science - 1900s Behaviourists?
Researchers (e.g. Watson & Skinner) conducted controlled experiments on behaviours that were directly observable.
The emergence of Psychology as a science - 1950s Cognitive approach?
Made the study of the mind legitimate & scientific, experiments tested the computer metaphor (e.g. multi-store model).
The emergence of Psychology as a science - 1980s Biological approach?
Observable behaviours studied, using controlled measures e.g. fMRI. Also genetic testing studies relationship between genes & behaviour.
Evaluation of the emergence of Psychology as a science - Modern psychology? STRONG
Learning, cognitive & biological approaches all use scientific methods e.g. lab research.
Evaluation of the emergence of Psychology as a science - Subjective data? WEAK
Humanistic & psychodynamic approaches rely on unscientific case studies. Research hampered by demand characteristics.
Evaluation of the emergence of Psychology as a science - Paradigm?
The question of whether psychology has agreed methods & assumptions is open to debate.
