Origins Flashcards
Who was the first psychologist to study psychology as a science
Wundt
Describe what Wundt did
Opened first psychology lab in Leipeig Germany. Marked beginning of scientific psychology separating it from philosophical roots. Aimed to analyse nature of human consciousness (introspection)
Describe wundts standardised procedures
Developed theories about mental processes eg. Language.
Used introspection
Describe introspection
Record experiences of various stimuli presented with. Eg. Images brought up when hearing a metronome.
Describe Wundt and structuralism
Isolating structure of consciousness (structuralism) the stimuli Wundt presented always in same order and same instructions.
One strength of Wundts research is…. (AO3)
Scientific
Some of his methods were systematic and well controlled. All introspection recorded in a controlled environment of a lab, ensured extraneous variables were not a factor. Procedures standardised so all participants received some information.
Describe one limitation of Wundt (AO3)
Subjective data.
Other aspects of Wundt research would be considered unscientific today. Relied on self-report on their mental processes. This data is subjective by personal perspective. Some PPS may have hidden their thoughts. Flaws!!
Describe how psychology has emerged as a science
By using systematic and objective measurements
List the three big steps in psychology and the years
1900s behaviourists
1950s cognitive
1980s biological
Describe what 1900s behaviourists found (emergence as a science)
Eg. Watson and skinner.
Conducted controlled experiments on observable behaviour
Describe what 1950s cognitive psychologists found (emergence as a science)
Made the study of the mind legitimate and scientific experiments tested on computer metaphors.
What did 1980s biological psychologists find (emergence as a science)
Observable behaviours studies using controlled measures. Genetic testing studied relationship between genes and behaviour.
One strength of psychology as a science (AO3)
Modern psychology.
Psychology has same aim as natural sciences to describe and understand and predict and control behaviour. Cognitive and biological rely on use of scientific methods eg. Lab studies.
Psychology is a scientific discipline.
One limitation of psychology as a science (AO3)
Subjective data
Not all approaches use objective methods. Humanistic approach rejects scientific approach. Psychodynamic approach used case studies and unrepresentative samples. Demand characteristics,
