Origin Of Psychology Questions

Question 1

What is meant by ‘ introspection’? (3 Mark)

Answer 1

‘looking into’
It is a systematic method of looking into the mind by breaking up the conscious into basic thoughts, images and sensations.

Question 2

Outline two criticisms of introspection as a method of investigation (4 Marks).

Answer 2

Subjective therefore the findings cannot be replicated.
There will always be a delay between the conscious experience and reporting its existence, meaning we may forget or leave out certain details.

Question 3

Briefly explain the emergence of Psychology as a science. (4 Mark)

Answer 3

William Wundt was the first person to be called a psychologist to study the mind and behaviour, having set up the first experimental laboratory in Germany in 1879.
He went onto study the mind using introspection - a systematic method used to look into the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thought, images and sensations.
He showed that introspection could be used to study mental states in replicable laboratory experiments.
In achieving this, Wundt was able to use controlled environments to establish general theories about mental processes.

Question 4

Outline and evaluate Wundt’s role in the emergence of psychology as a science (8 Marks)

Answer 4

Wundt was the first psychologist to set up a specialised laboratory to study the mind and behaviour. He used the scientific method to study the structure of sensation and perception and showed that introspection could be used to study mental states in replicable laboratory experiments. In achieving this, Wundt was able to use controlled environments to establish general theories about mental processes.
Wundt’s methods of exploring introspection have been criticised due to the rather subjective nature of the research, as Wundt was attempting to study something that was unobservable; scientific process is based on objectivity. This leads onto the problem with being able to replicate findings. The ability to be able to carry out research and then repeat such research is a core principle of science and allows us to establish the reliability of conclusions. Arguably there is little research evidence outside of Wundt’s own work that has been able to produce similar results using the introspective methods.
Nevertheless, it is evident from more modern approaches – such as the cognitive approach, that the mental processes that Wundt was trying to study using introspection are indeed a valid constituent part of the human mind.