Origins of psychology

Question 1

define psychology

Answer 1

scientific study of the human mind and it’s functions, especially those affecting behaviour

Question 2

define science

Answer 2

a means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation

Question 3

define introspection

Answer 3

the first systematic attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thought, images and sensations

Question 4

Wilhelm wundt

Answer 4

• aimed to explore the mind scientifically
• established the first psych lab and book
• studied mind by breaking behaviour down into basic elements

Question 5

what does introspection involve?

Answer 5

• looking into your own mind, spending time on your thoughts and feelings
• wundt trained his researchers to do this under strictly controlled conditions

Question 6

problems with introspection

Answer 6

• doesn’t explain how the mind works
• relies on people describing their thoughts/feelings
• isn’t objective
• doesn’t provide data that can be used reliably
• accounts can’t be confirmed

Question 7

empiricism

Answer 7

• Wundt’s method of study
• view that psych theories should be based on observable and factual evidence

Question 8

key assumptions of scientific methodology

Answer 8

determinism: if we identify cause we can make predictions about future behaviours

Question 9

the scientific cycle

Answer 9

objective, systematic and replicable observation- building refining and falsifying- development of a scientific theory- testing

Question 10

PEEL strengths

Answer 10

Relies on objective/systematic methods
- can establish c+e- through empirical and replicable methods
- approach self-corrective, new theories can emerge for useful explanations

Use in contemporary research
- Hunter et al: used introspection to measure happiness in teen-agers
- has some relevance in contemp research, signif contributions

Question 11

PEEL limitations

Answer 11

Unreliable
- approach uses non observable behaviour not replicable in a lab e.g memory and perception
-behaviourists could produce replicable, generalisable results so more sig in advancing psych

Lacks ecological validity
- observations not objective and controlled, and don’t reflect the real world
- inappropriate method, simply theoretical, cannot generalise to everyday situations