Origins Flashcards
1
Q
What is psychology?
A
Scientific study of human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context
2
Q
Who was Wilhelm Wundt?
A
- 1873 Wilhlem Wundt
- published first book on psychology
1879 opened first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany - approach was to study structure of human mind (structuralism)
3
Q
What is introspection?
A
Used by Wundt to investigate human mind - pp’s asked to reflect on their cognitive processes and describe
4
Q
What were Wundt’s two major assumptions? (scientific method)
A
- All behaviour is seen as being caused
- If behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how human beings would behave in different conditions
5
Q
What is the ‘scientific method’?
A
- Objective (findings are based on facts rather than opinions)
- Systematic (findings are based on opinions rather than facts)
- Replicable (can repeat the study and find the same findings)
6
Q
What are the four goals of psychology?
A
- Description
- Explanation
- Prediction
- Change
7
Q
What are the weaknesses of introspection?
A
- Produced subjective data - pp’s recalling their own thoughts meaning results vary
- Thoughts and mental processes cannot be observed and measured
8
Q
What are the strengths of the scientific method?
A
- Knowledge is accurate and produces facts due to use of objective and controlled studies
- Causes of behaviour can be established and develop theories - treatments can be developed
9
Q
What are the weaknesses for the scientific method?
A
- Objective in strictly controlled environments
- Certain areas of human behaviour and mind that can’t be observed
