L1) Origins of psychology Flashcards
What is Wundt known as?
Father of psychology
What is important abount Wundt?
- 1879 - he set up lab in Leipzig,Germany
- Father of Psychology as set up the first experimental lab
- First to do scientific, systematic research on Introspection
What does Wundt mean by the term introspection?
Process by which an individual gains knowledge of their own mental and emotional state through examination of one’s internal states and experiences.
- Involves the participant focusing on a stimulus such as a ticking metronome.
- The participants then reflect and record their thoughts,sensations and feelings while they are focussing on the stimulus.
- The responses were then compared by Wundt to be able to identify patterns to propose a theory for perception.
Define the term science
A science is finding out systematically and objectively through empirical methods such as observation and experimentation.
What are the strengths of Wundt’s contribution to science
- Pioneering
Was the first real attempt to do scientific Psychology
Had controlled conditions
Objective and systematic methods - allowing dor theories to be drawn
Recorded data / observations
HE continuously record and controlled his work so that replications could occur
Laid the foundations of science which later were built on these scientific principles - so his contribution is important - but can be argued to be indirect
Additionally , emphasis on scientific method was inspiration for subsequent psychologists
- Still useful
Supporters argue it is wrong to dismiss his methods
Introspection is still used today to he;p gain an insight
Csikszentmihalyi and Hunter - used it to investigate happiness in teenagers still demonstrating its utility in understanding behaviour
What are the limitations of Wundt’s contribution?
- Unreliable
Based on unobservable responses - rely on subjective self reports by ppts.
PPTs cannot be relied upon as may be biassed, mistaken or show demand characteristics
Unreliable as it causes for a lack of replicability meaning the results were not reproducible due to the subjectivity
**But introspection is still used today in many therapies used for studying emotional states - so application is still useful **
- Invalid
Nisbett and Wilson - argues we obtain little knowledge of the cause of processes underlying the behaviour -
challenges the value of introspective reports
So the reports are not getting accurate picture of the processes which are subconscious
So the method lack internal validity and are inappropriate / not useful for gaining insight into behaviour
- Use of inferences
Is often criticised as assumptions can be mistaken
Behaviourists reject the study of internal mental states - see the mind as a black box and only study the stimulus response mechanisms - finding them more reliable
Briefly outline skinners contribution
Behaviourist - conducted systematic controlled studies on rats and pigeons
- Argues behaviour is determined (no free will) so can be explained and predicted
- His research led to discovery of operant conditioning principles
Briefly outline pavlovs contribution to psychology
Conducted systematic controlled lab studies on Dogs
- Noticed salviated in responses food but learnt to do this before the food was present - lead to systematic reflexes and discovers several factors that affect learning through association (classical conditioning)
Was not a psychologist but his influence contributed largely to emergence of behaviourism
BEHAVIOURIST
Briefly outline Maslow’s contribution
Argued psychology was too negative and needs to focus on individuality
- Rejected the scientific approach
- His Work on self-actualisation and peak experience became one of the founders of the humanistic
- Hierarchy of needs
- Focus on growth and potential has had a lasting impact on mental health and facilitated → ‘positive psychology’
HUMANIST
Briefly explain the contribution of Freud
Wrote influential books such as - interpretation of dreams
- Argued the role of the unconscious arguing that conflicts and drives our behaviour
- Focused on observable concepts rejecting the scientific method + use case study approach
Found psychodynamic approach
Pioneered method of Psychoanalysis - a talk therapy aimed to uncover the root of mh disorders
PSYCHODYNAMIC
Briefly Explain the contribution of Rogers
Founder of Humanistic Psychology
- Saw Psychology as way of tackling life’s big questions from variety of perspectives
- Emphasised importance of self - acceptance and people should strive for self - actualisation
- Developed ‘person-centred counselling’–> emphasised role of unconditional positive regard had a lasting impact leading to + self esteem
HUMANIST
Briely explain the contribution of Bandura
Argued behaviourism is too simplistic
- Tried to look at conditioning and reinforcement in a cognitive way
- Valued scientific methods w controlled conditions → bobo doll study he conducted
- Founder of social learning theory
Believed in personal control and proposed behaviours and environment interact - reciprocal determinism
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
