Orgins In Psychology

Question 1

Define Psychology

Answer 1

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context

Question 2

Wundt’s Lab, Germany 1879

Answer 2

Wundt opened the first psychology dedicated lab in 1879, Germany.

Objective: document and describe the nature of human conscience.

Procedure: Wundt and his co-workers recorded their own conscious thoughts with the aim to breaking them down in parts.

Question 3

Define Introspection

Answer 3

Attempt to study the mind by breaking down conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations

Question 4

How did Wundt’s work mark separation of modern scientific psychology from its boarder philosophical roots?

Answer 4

He issued the same standardised instructions to all participants, this allowed procedures to be repeated every single time.

Question 5

What was Watsons problem with introspection?

Answer 5

Watson believed it was subjective, in that it varied greatly from person to person, so it became difficult to establish general principles.

Question 6

What did Watson propose?

Answer 6

A truly scientific psychology: observed and measured - the beginning to the behaviourist approach.

Question 7

Define science

Answer 7

A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws

Question 8

What did Watson and Skinner bring to psychology?

Answer 8

The language, rigour and methods of natural science

Question 9

Psychology’s early philosophical roots (Decartes, Locke, Darwin)

Answer 9

Descartes: mind and body are independent from each other

Locke: idea that all experiences can be obtained through the senses and that humans don’t inherit knowledge nor instincts (Behaviourist)

Darwin: Evolutionary theory, more adaptive genes survive and reproduce and the weaker individuals will not survive (Biological Approach)