Origins of psychology Flashcards
What is ‘psychology’?
Psychology is a scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context.
What is ‘science’?
Science refers to a means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws.
When was the first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry opened?
The first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry was opened in 1879.
Who opened the first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry?
Wilhelm Wundt opened the first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry.
Where was the first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry opened?
Wundt opened the first ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry in Leipzig, Germany.
What objective did Wundt set himself when studying psychology?
The objective Wundt set himself was to document and describe the nature of human consciousness.
Which method was adopted by Wundt when studying psychology?
Introspection
What is introspection?
Introspection refers to the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations.
How did Wundt and his co-workers utilise the method of introspection?
Wundt and his co-workers recorded their own conscious thoughts, with the aim of breaking these down into their constituent parts. Isolating the structure of consciousness in this way is called structuralism.
What is ‘structuralism’?
Structuralism refers to isolating the structure of consciousness.
Some of the methods and techniques adopted by Wundt and his co-workers are regarded as ‘scientific’ within contemporary society. What makes their methodology scientific?
All introspections were recorded under strictly controlled conditions using the same stimulus every time. The same standardised instructions were issued to all participants, and this allowed procedures to be replicates every single time.
What was the significance of Wundt’s work?
Wundt’s work was significant because it marked the separation of the modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots.
When did the scientific status of introspection come under criticism?
By the beginning of the 20th century, the scientific status and value of introspection was being questioned by many.
Which psychologist notably questioned the scientific nature introspection?
John B. Watson, a behaviourist, notably questioned the scientific nature of introspection.
Watson was known to criticise the scientific nature of introspection. What was his main problem with this method?
Watson’s main problem with introspection was that it produced data that was subjective, in that it varied greatly from person to person. This made it difficult to establish general principles. Watson was also highly critical of introspection’s focus on ‘private’ mental process and proposed that a truly scientific psychology should restrict itself only to studying phenomena that could be observed and measured.
