Origins of Psychology (Paper 2) Flashcards
What three factors must something have to be considered a science
Systematic, Objectivity, Empiricism
How do you ensure procedures are systematic
Use standardised procedures, so they can be replicated. Results should be able to be replicated
How do you ensure objectivity
Remove researcher bias
How do you ensure empiricism
Collect data by formulating, testing and modifying hypotheses
What did Wundt want to do
Use controlled empirical scientific research techniques
What did Wundt do
Set up the world’s first psychology laboratory in the institute of experimental psychology, first person to call himself a psychologist, produced one of the worlds first books on psychology.
What was Wundt’s research called
Structuralism
What is structuralism
An attempt to uncover the hidden structure of the mind by describing it in terms of it’s simplest definable components.
What experimental method technique did Wundt use
Introspection
What is step 1 of introspection
P’s are trained to report conscious experiences as objectively as possible
What is step 2 of introspection
P’s would be asked to focus on a sensory object, often a ticking metronome
What is step 3 of introspection
P’s would systematically report their experience of the object by breaking their thoughts into separate elements; p’s would focus inward and report sensations, feelings and images
Give evaluation of Wundt’s work for his time (strength)
For his time, Wundt’s work was highly scientific, primarily because of the controlled experiments , large sample sizes and transparent methods of his. His emphasis on scientific methodology was a significant inspiration for many.
Give an evaluation of Wundt’s methods compared to modern psychological techniques.
Compared to modern psychological techniques, Wundt’s introspective methods are considered subjective and are not classified as truly scientific. P’s cannot be relied on to accurately report their mental states.
