Approaches(origins of psychology)

Question 1

Wilhelm Wundt (1832 - 1920) 1879

Answer 1

-First to call himself a psychologist
-He believed that all aspects of the human mind and nature could be studied scientifically.
-He studied under experimental conditions in Leipzig, Germany
-Aim was to study the structure of the human mind
-Best way was to break down such behaviours into their basic elements
-This approach as then known as structuralism and the technique as introspection
-He also concluded higher mental processes could not be studied under strict controlled manner.

Question 2

Introspection -

Answer 2

Refers from the Latin meaning ‘looking into’ where a person gains knowledge about their own mental processes, allows us to observe and make sense of our outside world.

Question 3

The emergence of Psychology as a science (Empericism)-

Answer 3

Empiricism - and empiricists believe that all knowledge is derived from a sensory experience, this is seen to hold psychology as a potential science. The scientific approach was based on two major assumptions:. These came to be known as the technique known as the scientific method.

Question 4

1st assumption -

Answer 4

All behaviour is seen as being caused (deterministic)

Question 5

2nd assumption -

Answer 5

The behaviour that is seen as being caused allows us to make predictions about individuals would behave in different situations.

Question 6

The scientific method (Refersto investiagting methods that are?)-

Answer 6

Refers to investigating methods that are: objective, systematic and replicable.

Question 7

Objective definition -

Answer 7

Where researchers don’t let their preconceived ideas and bias influence the results/collection of results.

Question 8

Systematic definition -

Answer 8

Experiments carried out in an orderly way, the empirical data collected is accurate and other possible influences do not effect the results of the data. (confounding variables as an example)

Question 9

Replicable definition -

Answer 9

Meaning other experimenters can also conduct the experiment to test the whether the same results are similar or different. If not replicable then results cannot be classed as universally true.

Question 10

Objective, systematic and replicable make up what is known as?

Answer 10

The scientific cycle

Question 11

Wundt’s methods were unreliable - limitation

Answer 11

Behaviourists mainly questioned that the approach relied on non-observable responses, introspective methods were not easily reproducible, especially introspection for other researchers, other researchers were already producing reliable and reproducible results for example Ian Pavlov and these results could be generalised to human beings.

Question 12

Introspection is still useful in psychology - strength

Answer 12

Hunter and Csikzenthuimhalyi (2003) made introspection useful in some aspects of psychology. They made happiness a measurable phenomenon, they gave a group of teenagers beepers that went off during random times of the day and were then asked to write down their thoughts and feelings, most indicated that the teens were more unhappy than happy. But when focused on something engaging they were much more happier, therefore introspection still offers ways of understanding different of emotions and introspective feelings within to help improve the quality of lives.