Origins of Psychology Flashcards
(11 cards)
Wundt is known as the ‘father’ of psychology
What were Wundt’s main contributions to psychology?
- Wrote the first psychology textbook
- Set up the first experimental psychology laboratory
- Used the scientific method to study the structure of sensation and perception
- Introduced introspection as a method to study mental states
What is meant by introspection?
“Looking into”
A method used to understand the mind, specifially sensations and feelings
What is the process of introspection?
- Trained observers presented with controlled stimuli such as
- Participants asked to describe how the stimuli made them think and feel
The same stimulus, physical surroundings, and instructions given to each person to see how people respond differently to the same stimuli.
Supporting evidence- gambling
What is a strength of introspection?
- Griffiths (1994) used introspection to study cognitive processes of gamblers
- Ppts asked to think aloud whilst gambling, into a microphone
- Found regular gamblers made more irrational verbalisations than non-regular gamblers
What is a limitation of introspection?
- Unscientific- participants had to self-report their mental processes
- This is subjective- the participant could lie or withhold information whether on purpose or without meaning to
- Reduces validity of the findings meaning the method is flawed.
How has introspection contributed to the other psychological approaches?
Can be used for AO3 (strength) of introspection.
- Wundt’s methods have been credited as the start of cognitive psychology.
- Cognitive psychology attempts to measure what is happening in the mind using scientific methods
- STRENGTH BECAUSE Wundt’s methods have been incredibly influential to cognitive psychology and therefore psychology as a whole
How has introspection contributed to the emergence of psychology as a science?
Can be used as AO3 (strength) of introspection.
- Wundt applied the scientific method method to studying the mind, and set up the first psychology lab. If he had not have done this, it is possible that the study of the mind might still be tied to its philosophical roots and might never have gained the status it has today
- STRENGTH because Wundt’s influential work has paved the way for the study of psychology as a science
Psychology Timeline
17-19th Century: psychology is a branch of philosophy
1879: Wundt opens first psych lab
1900s: Freud established psychodynamic approach
1913: Watson establishes behaviourist approach
1950s: Rogers & Maslow develop humanistic approach
1960s: Cognitve revolution after intro of computers
1960s: Bandura proposes SLT
1980s onwards: biological approach establishes itself as dominant force
21st century cognitive neuroscience emerges as a distinct discipline
CROP
What is the scientific methods?
Refers to the use of investigative methods that are:
* Controlled
* Replicable
* Objective
* Predictable
What is a strength of the emergence of psychology as a science?
- Research in modern psychology can claim to be scientific
- Psych has the same aims as the natural sciences, to describe, understand, predictand control behaviour
- Learning approaches, cognitive approach, and biological approach all rely on use of scientific methods
- STRENGTH BECAUSE psych has clearly established itself as a science
What is a problem with the emergence of psychology as a science?
- Not all approaches use objective measures
- Humanistic approach rejects science and focuses on individuals and subjective experiences
- PROBLEM BECAUSE scientific approach to studying human thought and experience may not always be possible
