the emergence of psychology as a science

Question 1

define science

Answer 1

-a means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation
-aims to discover general laws

Question 2

define paradigm

Answer 2

a set of shared assumptions and
agreed methods within a scientific discipline

Question 3

when did psychology begin to emerge as a science?

Answer 3

around 1800s when the first experimental lab was established and set up by wundt

Question 4

how did behaviourism address the weakness of introspection?

Answer 4

-introduced rigorous experimental methods
-only studied observable behaviour that was directly measurable (empirical research)
–quantitative data

Question 5

how did the cognitive approach contribute to the emergence of psychology as a science?

Answer 5

-behaviourism dominated for 50 years
-but soon the need to understand internal mental processes was evident as behaviourist theory started to show holes that could only be explained using mental processes.
-cognitive psychology studies mental processes

-uses lab based research to make inferences about how information is processed and interpreted in order to influence behaviour
-technological advances in brain scanning techniques is allowing
psychologists to gain even more insight into mental processes

Question 6

how did the biological approach contribute to the emergence of psychology as a science?

Answer 6

-makes use of sophisticated scientific technology, including brain scanning techniques, like fMRI and PET scans, to understand the structure and function of the human brain
-objective and scientific