origins of psychology

Question 1

Who was the “founding father” of psychology

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 2

What did Wilhelm Wundt do

Answer 2

• wrote first ever psychology textbook and journal article
• set foundation for modern approaches e.g. behaviourism , cognitive psychology
• used introspection method

Question 3

• when and where was the first psychology lab opened
• who opened it

Answer 3

• Germany, Leipzig
• 1879
• Wilhelm Wundt

Question 4

What were Wundt’s 2 assumptions on human behaviour

Answer 4

• all behaviours is caused by something
• since behaviour is determined, we can predict humans will behave

Question 5

Explain the 3 aspects of the scientific method that Wundt used to research human behaviour

Answer 5

1. Objective - represents facts , not opinions
2. Systematic - using a fixed plan, metholodical
3. Replicable - ability to reproduce an exact copy of

Question 6

Define “introspection method”

Answer 6

A systematic analysis of one’s own conscious experience of a stimulus

Question 7

Outline how Wundt used introspection method

Answer 7

• trained his researchers to make observations of their experiences
• ppts exposed to a stimulus (e.g. a metronome) and asked to report sensations
• through introspection, their experiences are analysed

Question 8

Explain 3 reasons as to why introspection be classified as scientific

Answer 8

1. Controlled environment - reduces external influences, increasing consistency
2. Standardised procedure - trained ppts in the same way (break down mental events) to make the tests repeatable
3. Objective reporting - trained ppts to report without analysis, reducing personal bias

Question 9

Who argued against introspection method and why?

Answer 9

• Watson and Skinner
• believed that psychology should only deal with measurable, objective phenomena

Question 10

Explain 3 reasons as to why introspection may not be classified as scientific

Answer 10

1. Subjectivity - since it is based on personal reflection, bias is inherent. Researchers therefore cannot verify accuracy
2. Inaccessibility of mental processes - ignores unconscious processes (e.g. decision making), therefore cannot capture full range of human cognition
3. Evolution of psychological science - psychology has shifted towards objective methods (neuroimaging, behavioural observation) to allow more reliable research

Question 11

How is introspection useful?

Answer 11

• gamblers to think aloud whilst playing fruit machine
• analysis showed that they were more irrational than non-gamblers
• can provide data on people’s internal thought processes, which lead to decisions being made
• allows access to internal experiences central to certain behaviours

Question 12

Evaluate Wundt’s contributions to the emergence of psychology as a science

Answer 12

• early attempts were flawed
• paved the way for the behaviourist approach
• suggested science of the mind was possible
• laid foundation for psychology as a science