Wundt & the Emergence of Psychology as a Science (approaches | Origins of Psychology) Flashcards
psychology was subsumed within philosophy, e.g. the philosophical school of Stoicism claims that
self-control is the way to manage destructive, negative emotions
the philosophical school of Stoicism claims that self-control is the way to manage destructive, negative emotions, the philosophy assumes that
becoming a clear and unbiased thinker is the route to understanding universal reason
universal reasoning is
using logic and understanding the processes of nature inherent in all things, the Stoics used this idea to discuss many common emotions such as anger, fear and excessive joy.
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) aka
the ‘father’ of experimental psychology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) aka the ‘father’ of experimental psychology was
the first person to usher in psychology as an academic discipline
In 1875 Wundt
established the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology at Leipzig University
Wundt’s approach became known as
structuralism
structuralism is
breaking down mental processes into their most basic components
Wundt wished to aspire to
the rigorous methods of experimentation in ‘hard sciences’ such as chemistry
he applied this model of
objective scientific investigation to the study of the mind/cognition
Wundt’s approach was to break down the structure of the mind into two broad components:
- sensations
- perceptions
Wundt developed a technique, known as
introspection, the literal definition of which is looking into
Introspection is
the process used to examine the inner world of sensations and perceptions
Introspection works by
a person consciously observing and being aware of their sensations and perceptions (in the form of thoughts and emotions)
Once this process of introspection has been made it is followed by
the cataloguing and reporting of the detail involved
Wundt’s introspective sessions took place in
a controlled environment (both he and his colleagues participated)
Wundt introduced
stimuli (images or sounds) which participants then considered
Wundt used the findings from introspection to
illuminate and identify the processes involved in human consciousness
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Strengths:
- Wundt used
Wundt used subjective methods in his pursuit of the scientific process which can be viewed as a strength as it places real human experience at the forefront of the objective study of cognitive processes
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Strengths:
- Wundt used subjective methods, this sets his work apart from
the ‘hard’ sciences as it draws from inner thoughts and feelings, enhancing its mundane realism
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Strengths:
- Wundt’s focus on
mental processes through introspection can be seen as a forerunner of the cognitive approach
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Strengths:
- Wundt’s focus on mental processes through introspection can be seen as a forerunner of the cognitive approach, this is a strength as
it paved the way for researchers to find ways to test what is not observable e.g. thoughts, feelings, memory, perception
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Limitations:
- The process of introspection is
not replicable as it relies on the subjective focus on individual sensations and perceptions
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Limitations:
- The process of introspection is not replicable, this in turn
limits the reliability of introspection as a scientific method
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Limitations:
- It could be argued that
early behaviourists such as Pavlov contributed more to the origins of psychology than Wundt did
Evaluation of Wundt & introspection
Limitations:
- It could be argued that early behaviourists such as Pavlov contributed more to the origins of psychology than Wundt did as
behaviourist methods are reliable as they adhere more to the features of science which is what Wundt intended but failed to fully realise
The origins of psychology and its journey towards establishing itself as a valid and credible discipline has, to date, taken almost
150 years
1879
Wundt opened the first experimental psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany and introduced the introspective method
1900s
Freud developed psychodynamic theory and psychoanalysis with its emphasis on unconscious motives and drives
1913
Watson and Skinner proposed behaviourism as an antidote to Freud and Wundt
1913: Watson and Skinner proposed behaviourism as an antidote to Freud and Wundt: they argue that only
behaviour which can be directly observed and measured can be classified as truly scientific
1913: Watson and Skinner proposed behaviourism as an antidote to Freud and Wundt: they argue that behaviour is
learned via environmental conditioning
1950s
Rogers and Maslow developed humanistic psychology as a rebuff to behaviourism and psychodynamism
1950s: Rogers and Maslow developed humanistic psychology as a rebuff to behaviourism and psychodynamism: they emphasise
the importance of free will and a holistic approach to studying the individual (known as phenomenology)
phenomenology is
investigating actual human existence, including human experience of free choice and/or action in real (rather than manipulated or artificial) situations
1950s: Rogers and Maslow developed humanistic psychology as a rebuff to behaviourism and psychodynamism: they focus on
the positive aspects of individual experience and personal growth
1960s
cognitive psychology is suggested, using computer models and information processing to explain behaviour
1960s: Cognitive psychology is suggested, using computer models and information processing to explain behaviour: mental
processes are the focus of this strand of psychology
1960s: Cognitive psychology is suggested, using computer models and information processing to explain behaviour: inferences
can be drawn by examining cognitive functions in lab experiments
1980s
The biological approach took precedence in psychology, made possible by technological advances e.g. brain scans such as MRI
1980s: The biological approach took precedence in psychology, made possible by technological advances e.g. brain scans such as MRI: Brain-scanning techniques allow
researchers to look ‘inside’ the brain to track activity or study structural detail
2000s onwards
Cognitive neuroscience emerges as the means whereby to amalgamate biology and cognition
2000s onwards: Cognitive neuroscience emerges as the means whereby to amalgamate biology and cognition: increasingly
sophisticated technology continues to highlight the relationship between brain and cognition/behaviour
2000s onwards: Cognitive neuroscience emerges as the means whereby to amalgamate biology and cognition: brain scanning
can help to identify brain damage/illness and to localise specific functions (e.g. memory) linked to specific brain regions/structures
