Origins of Psychology Flashcards
Define “psychology”.
The science of behaviour and mental processes. The study of the soul.
Where did Aristotle believe the conscious was located?
In the heart
Who was Wundt and what did he do?
- A German psychologist who established the very first psychology laboratory
- Studied the mind via introspection.
- Published a book, ‘Principles of physiological psychology’.
What is Introspection?
(Looking into your own mind) people were asked to reflect on their own cognitive process and describe them. Trying to describe your own thought process. It is subjective, you can’t see what is actually happening on in the mind.
What did his approach consist of?
His approach was the study the structure of the human mind, by breaking down behaviours into their basic elements- structuralism
What is a limitation of Introspection?
- It’s subjective.
- The technique is difficult to use with children and impossible to use with animals.
What is a strength of Introspection?
In controlled conditions allows experiments to be replicated.
