History of Psychology

Question 1

Psychology

Answer 1

The scientific investigation of mental processes and the interaction between them.

Question 2

William Wundt

Answer 2

• Established the first formal psych. laboratory in Germany in 1879.
• Tried to identify the elements of consciousness.
• First person involved in structuralism.

Question 3

William James

Answer 3

• Functionalism

- Believed that psych. should investigate the function and purpose of consciousness.

Question 4

Edward Tichener

Answer 4

• Structuralism
• Aimed to determine the key components of consciousness.
• Sensation focused.
• Analysed consciousness into its basic elements and investigate how the elements were related.

Question 5

John B Watson

Answer 5

• Behaviourism
• Focused on observable behaviour.
• Believed that mental processes are ultimately private events.
• Not thoughts but rather feelings that accompany them.

Question 6

Max Wertheimer

Answer 6

• Cognition
• Psychological phenomena are best viewed as organised, structured wholes, not analysed into component theories.
• Context influences interpretation.

Question 7

Sigmund Freud

Answer 7

• “unconscious” contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness but exert influence over behaviour.

Question 8

B F Skinner

Answer 8

• Radical behaviourism

- Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and vice versa.

Question 9

Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Answer 9

• Humanism
• Optimistic view of human nature
• Emphasises the unique qualities of humans, especially freedom and personal growth.