Origins Of Psychology

Question 1

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Name 3 points

Answer 1

• Believed all aspects of human behaviour can be scientifically studied
• Wanted to break behaviours into basic elements
• Wanted to study structure of human mind
• Studied aspects of behaviour that could be controlled in experimental conditions

Question 2

State the definition of Introspection.

Answer 2

When a person becomes aware of their mental & emotional state by WORKING INWARDS.

Question 3

Name the scientific methods in Psychology and their definition.

Answer 3

• Determinism: All behaviour is caused

- Predictability: Behaviour can be predicted

Question 4

State the emergences of Psychology as a science & their definitions.

Answer 4

1. Objective: Researches don’t let preconceived ideas influence their collection of data
2. Systematic: Observations/experiments are carried out in an orderly way
3. Replicable: Observations are able to be repeated by different researchers and obtain similar results.

Question 5

Name strengths of Origins of Psychology.

Answer 5

1. • Because of its reliance on objective & systematic.
     - Knowledge acquired = more than just the passive acceptance of facts.
2. • Because scientific methods rely on belief in determinism.
     - Able to establish causes of behaviour through use of methods that are both empirical & replicable
3. • Scientific knowledge = self-corrective
     - Scientific theories can be refined or abandoned

Question 6

Name limitations of Origins of Psychology.

Answer 6

1. Introspection is not partly accurate:
   
   • Nisbett & Wilson’s (1977) claim we have little knowledge of causes of human behaviour
   • A claim that challenges introspective reports
   • Discovered participants remarkably unaware of factors that influenced choice of consumer item.
2. Wundt’s methods were unreliable:
   
   • Approaches relied on ‘non-observable responses
   • Wundt’s approach failed because lack of reliability of his methods
   • Much of psychology is unobservable
   • Cannot be accurately measured