Origins Of Psychology Flashcards
1
Q
What is Wundt known as and why?
A
- Known as the ‘father of psychology’
- 1879 Wundt opened up the first lab in Leipzig Germany
- Work marked the beginning of scientific discovery separating it from philosophical routes
2
Q
What was Wundt’s aim?
A
- To analyse the nature of human consciousness
- first systematic attempt to study the mind under controlled conditions
3
Q
What was Wundt’s pioneering method known as?
A
Introspection
4
Q
What is introspection?
A
- process of looking into > first systematic attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images & sensations
- know as structuralism
5
Q
How did Wundt use standardised procedures?
A
- believed mental processes could be observed systematically
- He asked participants to describe their inner mental processes (thoughts, images, sensations)
- in response to controlled stimulus e.g. ticking metronome
6
Q
What is meant by emergence of psychology as a science?
A
psychology developing as a scientific discipline
7
Q
How have behaviourists enabled the emergence of psych as a science ?
A
- through scientific methods of behaviourists (study of observable behaviours only) 1900s
- dominated psychology for 50 years
8
Q
How have cognitive psychologists enabled the emergence of psych as a science ?
A
- emergence of cognitive approach has legitimised the study of mental processes as scientific by making inferences 1950s
- likened the mind to a computer ( MSM)
9
Q
How has the biological led to the emergence of psych as a science?
A
uses experimental methods to explain behaviour as having a physical cause such as fMRI 1980s
10
Q
What is a strength of Wundt’s methods?
A
- some of his methods were systematic & well–controlled
- all introspections were recorded in a controlled environment of the lab (ensured EV’s not a factor)
- procedures & instructions were standardised (define)
- Wundt considered forerunner for later approaches
11
Q
What is a weakness of Wundt’s study?
A
- aspect of Wundt’s research considered unscientific
- Wundt relied on participants self reporting their mental processes
- data is subjective -participants may have also hidden thoughts
difficult to establish meaningful ‘laws of behaviour’
-Wundt’s efforts flawed
12
Q
One strength of modern psychology?
A
- Modern psych can claim to be scientific
- psych has same aims as natural sciences (describe, understand, predict behaviour)
- Learning approach, biological & cognitive all rely on scientific methods e.g. lab studies to investigate theories in a controlled & unbiased way
- psych has established itself as a scientific discipline
13
Q
What is a weakness of modern psychology?
A
- not all approaches use objective methods
- humanistic approach rejects the scientific approach» prefer to focus on individual & subjective experience
- Psychodynamic approach makes use of case studies (unrepresentative samples)
- humans are active in research-respond to demand characteristics
- scientific approach not always desirable or possible
