Approachs - Topic Summary

Question 1

First lab in 1879 Leipzig Germany

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt open the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig Germany. He is often considered the father of psychology.

Question 2

1873 first book principles of physiological psychology

Answer 2

Published the first book on psychology called ‘the principles of physiological psychology’.

Question 3

Branched away from philosophy by using standardised controlled procedures

Answer 3

He used controlled standardised procedures which separated psychology from its roots of philosophy.

Question 4

Introspection

Answer 4

Reflecting on their own cognitive processes and describing them. People were trained to report in detail on their inner experiences when presented with a stimulus such as a problem to solve or something to be memorised.

Question 5

Ticking metronome

Answer 5

Wundt attempted use of objective methods. The ticking metronome, participants would report their images, thoughts and sensations which were systematically recorded.

Question 6

Paved the way for structuralism

Answer 6

Structuralism is identifying consciousness by breaking down behaviours into their basic elements of thoughts, images and sensations. This marked the beginning of scientific psychology separating it from its broader philosophical roots.

Question 7

Behaviourism rejected introspection

Answer 7

The behaviourists rejected introspection for being too subjective. They argued researchers should only study what is observable and measurable. Controlled lab experiments dominated after this.

Question 8

Cognitive approach focused on the computer analogy

Answer 8

The computer revolution of the 1950s influenced the direction of psychology. The computer analogy of the mind working like a computer was seen as legitimate within psychology. Memory and attention experiments dominated the field with the predictions being tested in the lab with highly controlled procedures.

Question 9

The biological approach exploited technological advances

Answer 9

Biological psychologists from the 1980’s took advantage of the advances in technology. The human Connectome Project was launched in 2009 which is ongoing today and aims to map all of the neural connections in the brain. This is an example of cognitive neuroscience, which combined both the cognitive and biological approaches.