Origins Of Psychology (Wundt) Flashcards
Who was considered the ‘founder of psychology’ and what date did they discover it.
William Wundt 1879.
What was Wundt’s method of studying the human mind.
Introspection.
This is when you examine ones mental or emotional processes. A stimulus is usually used, such as a ticking metronome, where the participant would have to report what the stimulus made them think and feel.
What was wundt’s approach-structuralism.
Isolating the structure of consciousness, using scientific methods studying the structure of sensation and perception.
Disadvantages of introspection (evaluation)
The reports may be distorted (deliberately), you may pretend to have more positive thoughts.there will always be a delay between the conscious experience and reporting the existence, we may forget parts of it.
Subjects reports from introspection could not be replicated therefore not reliable.
What does introspection rely on
It primarily relies on non-observable responses and although participants can report conscious experiences, they are unable to comment on unconscious factors relating to their behaviour.
Why was it hard to establish general principles with introspection
This is because data that has been produced through introspection was subjective (varied greatly from person to person), so it became very difficult to establish general principles. It’s also hard to study unobservable matter.
The scientific method refers to the use of investigative methods that are:
Objective
Systematic
Replicable
What is the Scientific method
Wundt’s new ‘scientific’ approach to psychology was based on two major assumptions.
- All behaviour is seen as being caused (determined).
- If behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how human beings would behave in different conditions (predictable)
Strengths of the scientific approach to psychology
Knowledge acquired using scientific methods are more than just the passive acceptance of facts.
Causes of behaviour can be established through the use of methods that are empirical and replicable.
Scientific knowledge is self-corrective meaning that it can be refined or abandoned (theories and hypothesis).
Weaknesses of scientific approach to psychology
Scientific psychologists create contrived situations that create artificial behaviour.
Much of the subject matter of psychology is unobservable, therefore cannot be measured with any degree of accuracy.
Not all psychologists share the view that human behaviour can be explored through scientific methods.
What is empiricism
This is the belief that knowledge comes from observation and experience alone (rather than being innate). It is the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience.
