Origins

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

Scientific study of human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context

Question 2

Who was Wilhelm Wundt?

Answer 2

• 1873 Wilhlem Wundt
• published first book on psychology
  1879 opened first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany
• approach was to study structure of human mind (structuralism)

Question 3

What is introspection?

Answer 3

Used by Wundt to investigate human mind - pp’s asked to reflect on their cognitive processes and describe

Question 4

What were Wundt’s two major assumptions? (scientific method)

Answer 4

• All behaviour is seen as being caused
• If behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how human beings would behave in different conditions

Question 5

What is the ‘scientific method’?

Answer 5

• Objective (findings are based on facts rather than opinions)
• Systematic (findings are based on opinions rather than facts)
• Replicable (can repeat the study and find the same findings)

Question 6

What are the four goals of psychology?

Answer 6

• Description
• Explanation
• Prediction
• Change

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of introspection?

Answer 7

• Produced subjective data - pp’s recalling their own thoughts meaning results vary
• Thoughts and mental processes cannot be observed and measured

Question 8

What are the strengths of the scientific method?

Answer 8

• Knowledge is accurate and produces facts due to use of objective and controlled studies
• Causes of behaviour can be established and develop theories - treatments can be developed

Question 9

What are the weaknesses for the scientific method?

Answer 9

• Objective in strictly controlled environments
• Certain areas of human behaviour and mind that can’t be observed