Origins Of Psychology

Question 1

Introspection

Answer 1

The belief all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by the use of the scientific method

Question 2

Introspection

Answer 2

The process by which a person gains knowledge about there own mental and emotional states as a result of the observations of their conscious thoughts or feelings.

Question 3

Scientific method

Answer 3

Refers to the use of the investigate methods that are objective, systematic and replicable and the formation of testing and modification of the hypothesis based on these methods.

Question 4

Wilhelm Wundt

Answer 4

He was the first person to call himself a physiologist believing all aspects of nature and the human mind can be studied. He studied aspects of the behaviour that could be strictly controlled under experimental conditions.

Question 5

Wundts aim

Answer 5

Wundts aim was to study the structure of the human mind he believed the best way to do this was to break down behaviours such as sensation and perception into basic elements. This was refered to as structuralism and the technique he used as INTROSPECTION. Although Wundt believed all aspects of human experience could be studied experimentally he eventually realised that higher mental processes couldnt be studied for example languages and learning. These were then described as general trends in behaviour among groups of people. Referring to it as cultural pyschology.

Question 6

Introspection in detail

Answer 6

Introspection meaning ‘looking into’ is the process of which person gains knowledge about there own mental and emotional state. Wundt claimed that with sufficient training, mental processes such as memory and perception could be observed systematically occurring in INTROSPECTION. E.G observers might be shown an object and asked to reflect upon how they were perceiving it. Giving us info on how an object may be seen. This gives us insight into the nature of mental processes involved In perception.