wundt Flashcards
What did Wundt believe in terms of what could be studied scientifically?
Wundt believed that all aspects of nature, including the human mind, could be studied scientifically. He was interested in understanding how people become aware of stimuli (such as sounds or lights) in their environment.
What is introspection?
Introspection is a method where one looks into their own mind to measure its contents in an organised way.
What was reductionism?
Reductionism is the belief that the mind should be measured by breaking behavior down into elements to be investigated.
How did Wundt investigate his belief that the human mind could be studied scientifically?
Wundt asked his participants to focus on an everyday object (metronome) and look inwards to analyse it in terms of its component parts such as noticing sensations and perceptions.
How did Wundt contribute to the development of psychology, and what did it lead to?
Wundt contributed through his research in carefully controlled conditions, developing standardised procedures for replicability. This encouraged other researchers, such as behaviourists, to adopt a scientific approach, establishing psychology as a scientific discipline.
Why do Behaviourists disagree with his method of ‘introspection’?
Behaviourists argue that introspection is not scientific because its results are subjective and cannot be verified, as only observable behavior can be objectively measured.
For example, Skinner claims the results of introspection are subjective.
What did Wundt focus on and how did this help the development of psychology?
Wundt concentrated on three areas of mental functioning: thoughts, images, and feelings. This focus has been revolutionary in stimulating interest in cognitive psychology.
What are the reliability issues with Wundt’s findings?
Conscious experiences are non-observable, results are prone to bias due to subjectivity, and reports could not be replicated.
Why was Wundt’s role in establishing Psychology as a Science important?
Wundt’s role marked the separation of modern scientific psychology from its wider philosophical roots.
Why do Holistic psychologists disagree with Wundt’s approach of ‘reductionism’?
Holistic psychologists argue that behavior cannot be understood solely in terms of its components, as reductionism can oversimplify the complexity of human behavior.
