Approaches - Wundt and introspection

Question 1

what did Wundt do

Answer 1

• 1879 opened first lab dedicated to psychology in Germany
• beginning of scientific psychology
• tried to analyse the nature of the human consciousness
• used introspection

Question 2

what is introspection

Answer 2

• first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures images and sensations

Question 3

how did Wundt conduct his research

Answer 3

• he and his co-workers recorded their experiences of various stimuli they were presented with (images, objects)
• divide observations into three categories : images, thoughts, sensations

Question 4

what is structuralism

Answer 4

• isolating the structure of the consciousness into categories

Question 5

what was a strength of Wundt’s research

Answer 5

Scientific
- methods were systematic and well controlled
- extraneous variables weren’t a factor
- procedures were standardised
- forerunner to later scientific approaches

Question 6

what was a limitation of Wundt’s research

Answer 6

Subjective data
- relied on participants self-reporting their mental processes
- pps may have hidden thoughts
- general laws applied

Question 7

how did psychology emerge as a science

Answer 7

1900s Behaviourists
- Watson and Skinner

1950s Cognitive approach
1980s Biological approach

Question 8

what are the strengths of psychology emerging as a science

Answer 8

• modern psychology is scientific
• rely on scientific methods : lab studies
• psychology established a scientific discipline

Question 9

what are the limitations of psychology emerging as a science

Answer 9

Subjective data
- not all approaches use objective methods
- humanistic approach rejects science
- psychodynamic uses case studies so not representative