Origins in Psychology

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 1

• ‘Developed’ psychology and established the first psychological laboratory in 1875
• 1879- In Leipzig Germany, Wundt established the Institute of Experimental Psychology and psychology became a subject in itself , distinct from biology, philosophy, and physiology
• Using a controlled environment, he developed the method of introspection whereby *people were trained to think carefully about their thoughts, + emotions + record them *

Question 2

Introspection

Answer 2

• First systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations

Question 3

Structuralism

Answer 3

• Isolating the structure of consciousness

Question 4

+ Scientific

Answer 4

• Wundt’s method were systematic + well-controlled (lab)
• It *restricts extraneous variables *
• Procedures were standardised- participants recieved the same information + tested in the same way
• His research was a* forerunner to later scientific approaches*

Question 5

- Subjective Data

Answer 5

• Aspects of his research would be considered unscientific today
• He relied on self-reporting which is subjective
• It was difficult to establish ‘meaningful’ laws of behaviour
• Suggests that some of his work was flawed and didnt meet the criteria of scientific enquiry

Question 6

Emergence of psychology as a science

Answer 6

Psychology- Scientific study of the mind, behaviour and experience
Science- Means of accquiring knowledge through systematic + objective investigation. Aim to discover general laws

Question 7

Branches in Psychology

Answer 7

1. Evolutionary
2. Developmental
3. Cognitive
4. Social
5. Physiological

Question 8

Social Psychology

Answer 8

• The degree to which people interact with eachother and how this is conducted
• It’s about conformity, obedience, and authority (how we change our behaviour around others)

Question 9

Developmental Psychology

Answer 9

• Focuses on early life, childhood, teen years and later adulthood
• Called life-span psychology and it charts our changes as we grow

Question 10

Physiological Psychology

Answer 10

• This is to do with the physical processes and attachment to the environment
• E.g. Fight/flight response / psychological/ emotional state

Question 11

Cognitive Psychology

Answer 11

• Sees the brain as a computer
• Information is fed in, processed and there is an outcome (cognition)

Question 12

Evolutionary Psychology

Answer 12

• Examines the changes in human behaviour overtime e.g social and geneational changes