Origins of psychology Flashcards
Definition of introspection
The first systematic attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
Definition of psychology
Scientific study of the mind, behaviour and experience
Definition of science
Means of acquiring knowledge through the systematic and objective investigation
Why is Wundt’s work significant?
It marked the beginning of scientific psychology and separated it from its broader philosophical roots
What categories did Wundt split his observations in to?
Thoughts, images and sensations
What was Wundt’s main objective?
To try and develop theories about mental processes, such as language and perception
Definition of structuralism
Isolating the structure of consciousness
What is one strength of Wundt’s work?
Scientific:
- Systematic and well controlled methods
- Helped to remove extraneous variables
- Procedures were standardised
What is one limitation of Wundt’s work?
Subjective data:
- Would now be considered unscientific
- Relied on participants self reporting
- Participants may have hidden some of their thoughts
What is one strength of modern psychology?
Claim to be scientific:
- Uses lab studies
- Controlled and unbiased
What is one limitation of modern psychology?
Subjective data:
- Humanistic rejects the scientific approach
- Psychodynamic uses case studies with unrepresentative samples
- Scientific approach may not always be desirable
