Approaches - Wundt’s approach Flashcards
What is psychology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context
What is introspection
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts images and sensations
Where is psychology thought to have originated from
Work of Wilhelm Wundt
He established the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig Germany in 1879
What did Wilhelm Wundt pioneer the work of ?
Introspection
What was Wundt aim and objective
To document and and describe the nature of human consciousness
how did Wundt use introspection
Involved people ‘looking into’ their own mental and emotional states gain knowledge about themselves
What is structalism
Wundt way of isolating the structure of the consciousness
What methods did Wundt use that we regard as scientific now
Strict controlled conditions, standardised instructions, using same stimulus - this allows replication
Why was Wundt work significant
It marked the separation of modern psychology from its broader philosophical roots
What are the strengths of Wundt work
Some of Wundt work was scientific
Eg he recorded the introspections in controlled
environment, use standardised procedures -> participants received same info and tested the same way
Wundt work paved the way for other scientific approaches
Paved the way for later controlled research.
Introspection lead to study of mental processes by cognitive psychologists
Cog neuroscience - leading discipline in present psychology
Wundt has made great contribution to psychology we know today
What are the limitations of Wundt work
Some aspects of research are not scientific.
Wundt relied on participants self reporting private mental processes
Such data is subjective and participants may not have wanted to reveal some of the thoughts they were having.
Wundt early efforts to study the mind would not fit the criteria of scientific study.
Introspection focuses on non observable behaviour.
Wundt approach required participants to report on their conscious experiences which are Un observable constructs.
Memory impossible observe
Approach lacks reliability
Results cannot or have been reproduced
Describe wundts role in the development of psychology
Father of psychology
Moved from philosophical roots to controlled modern psychology
Set up psychology lab Leipzig Germany 1870
Promoted use of introspection
Systematic analysis of own conscious experience
Experience analysed in terms of its components
Paved the way for later study of mental processes and controlled research
