Origins of psychology Flashcards
Who was Wilhelm Wundt?
The first person to call himself a psychologist + believed that all aspects of nature incl. the human mind could be studied scientifically.
What was Wilhelm Wudnt’s contribution to psychology?
His ‘scientific approach’ paved the way for psych to be accepted as a distinct science + experimental psych as the preferred method of studying human behaviour.
Lab studies - only studied the aspects of behaviour that could be strictly controlled under experimental conditions incl. reaction time + various aspects of sensation + perception.
Introspection
The emergence of cultural psych - the aspects of human behaviour that couldn’t be investigated scientifically.
What is introspection?
The process by which a person gains knowledge about their mental + environmental states as a result of the examination or observation of their conscious.
What is the scientific method?
Refers to the use of investigative method that are objective, systematic + replicable + the formulation, testing + modification of hypotheses based on these methods.
What is empiricism?
The belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory it’s generally characterised by the use of the scientific method.
Explain the emergence of psychology as science
The new scientific approach was based off 2 major assumptions.
1) all behaviour is seen as being caused (the assumption of determinism)
2) if behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how humans behave in different conditions ( the assumption of predictability).
The technique used to explore the assumptions is the scientific method.
For 6 marks explain the scientific method.
AO3: Wundt’s methods were unreliable
Weakness
Criticism mainly from behaviourists the approach relied on primarily on ‘nonobsevable’ responses.
Ppts could report on their conscious experiences but the processes themselves wee considered to be unobservable constructions.
Therefore, Wundt’s approach lacks reliability.
AO3: The scientific method tests assumption not behaviour
Its reliance on objective + systematic methods of observation scientific methods are able to establish the causes of behaviour through the use of methods that are both empirical + replicable.
As a consequence if scientific theories no longer fit the facts, they can be refines or abandoned, meaning that scientific knowledge is self-corrective.
AO3: Objective
Strength
The scientific approach emphasises objectivity, which means that researchers should be impartial and free from personal biases when conducting studies. Objectivity is achieved through methods such as controlled experimentation, systematic observation, and standardisation of procedures. This helps to ensure that the data collected is reliable and valid.
AO3: Empirical
Strength
The scientific approach is based on empiricism, which means that knowledge is derived from observation and experience rather than theory or intuition. Empirical research involves gathering data through observation, experimentation, and other systematic methods. This allows researchers to test hypotheses and develop theories based on evidence rather than speculation. Empiricism is a key feature of the scientific approach, and it helps to ensure that research findings are based on solid evidence rather than mere conjecture.
