Origins Of Psychology

Question 1

Wundt and introspection - A01

Answer 1

Wundt’s lab - First psychology lab in Leipzig, introduced introspection to study the human mind systematically (scientific).

Standardised procedures - Observations of objects and sounds are recorded.

Structuralism - Consciousness divided into three categories: thoughts, images, sensations (structuralism).

Question 2

Wundt and introspection - Evaluation (A03)

Answer 2

Scientific - Controlled environment, carefully standardised.

Subjective data - General laws not possible as all introspections see different.

Evaluation extra: Wundt’s contribution - the ‘father’ of modern psychology.

Question 3

The emergence of Psychology as a science - A01

Answer 3

1900s behaviourists - Researchers (e.g. Watson and Skinner) conducted controlled experiments on behaviours that were directly observable.

1950s cognitive approach - Made the study of the mind legitimate and scientific, experiments tested the computer metaphor (e.g. multi-store model).

1980s biological approach - Observable behaviours studied, using controlled measures e.g. fMRI. Also genetic testing studies relationship between genes and behaviour.

Question 4

The emergence of psychology as a science- Evaluation (A03)

Answer 4

Modern psychology- Learning, cognitive and biological approaches all use scientific methods e.g. lab research.

Subjective data - Humanistic and psychodynamic approaches rely on unscientific case studies. Research hampered by demand characteristics.

Evaluation extra: Paradigm - the question of whether psychology has agreed methods and assumptions is open to debate.