Wundt (booklet 1)

Question 1

Objective

Answer 1

Free from bias, interpretation or judgement and therefore represented by fact

Question 2

Subjective

Answer 2

Open to interpretation or personal view and therefore may be influenced by bias

Question 3

Systematic

Answer 3

Carried out according to a fixed plan or method

Question 4

Replicable

Answer 4

A study with standardised procedures which can be repeated and assessed for consistency

Question 5

Falsifiable

Answer 5

The possibility of showing a theory or observation is false or incorrect

Question 6

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Answer 6

Known as the first psychologist
Opened the first laboratory dedicated to psychology in 1879
Wrote the first academic journal for psychological research
Adopted the use of introspection
Believed psychologicsl research should follow a scientific way eg objective, free from bias, replicable due to standardised conditions

Question 7

What is introspection?

Answer 7

Process where someone examines their own conscious experience as objectively as possible
Description of inner processes

Question 8

Is introspection a scientific process?

Answer 8

Standardised scientific procedures which can be replicated
Subjective- participants may interpret stimulus in different ways
Participants may be dishonest

Question 9

Evaluate Wundt’s contribution- lack of scientific credibility

Answer 9

Behaviourists criticise the work of Wundt and introspection as lacking scientific credibility
Behaviourists believed only observable behaviour was capable of scientific study whereas introspection focusses on non observable behaviour and is therefore subjective
Due to subjective nature findings varied greatly between participants therefore general laws/ principles cannot be formed

Question 10

Evaluate Wundt’s contribution- influence

Answer 10

Wundt’s focus on the inner workings paved the way for the emergence of the cognitive approach and his methods (although adapted) are still used today
Griffiths (2004) used introspection to assess gamblers thought process in order to understand addiction
Therefore the work of Wundt has been highly influential

Question 11

Evaluate Wundt’s contribution- seperating psychology

Answer 11

Wundt was responsible for revolutionising psychology and clearly seperating it from philosophy
As a result of his work, modern psychology and its focus on experimental, systematic and scientific testing exists
Increased the credibility of the subject as a science and led to many important breakthroughs