Origins Of Psychology / Wundt’s Approach 1879

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundth

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundth (1832-1920) is often considered as the father of experimental psychology and was the first person to acknowledge himself as a psychologist.

Question 2

Wundt’s lab

Answer 2

In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt opened the first ever lab dedicated entirely to psychological enquiry in Leizpig in Germany.

It marked the beginning of scientific psychology, separating it from its broader philosophical roots.

Question 3

Introspection

Answer 3

The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations.

Question 4

Wundt’s method

Answer 4

He and his co-workers recorded their experiences of various stimuli they were presented with, such as different objects or sounds. They would divide their observations into 3 categories: thoughts, images and sensations.

Question 5

Structuralism

Answer 5

Wundt’s approach became known as structuralism because he used scientific methods to study human consciousness by breaking its structure down into smaller components.

Question 6

Wundt Evaluation (strengths)

Answer 6

• Some of Wundt’s methods were systematic and well-controlled. All introspections were recorded in the controlled environment of the lab, ensuring that possible extraneous variables were not a factor. This means that it has a high validity.
• It could be replicated. Procedures and instructions were carefully standardised so that all participants received the same information and were tedted in the same way.

Question 7

Wundt’s evaluation (weakness)

Answer 7

One limitation is that other aspects of Wundt’s research would be considered unscientific today. Wundt relied on participants self-reporting their mental processes. Such data is subjective. Also participants may have hidden some of their thoughts. This suggest that some of Wundt’s early efforts to study the mind were flawed and would not meet the criteria of scientific enquiry.

Question 8

Psychology

Answer 8

The scientific study of the mind, behaviour and experience.

Question 9

Science

Answer 9

A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws.