Origins Of Psychology

Question 1

Who is known as ‘the father of psychology’?

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt

Wundt is recognized for establishing psychology as a science distinct from philosophy and biology.

Question 2

In what year did Wundt establish the first psychology laboratory?

Answer 2

1879

This laboratory was located at Leipzig University.

Question 3

What significant institute did Wundt found in 1879?

Answer 3

Institut fur Experimentelle Psychologie

This translates to the Institute of Experimental Psychology.

Question 4

What method did Wundt promote for studying mental processes?

Answer 4

Introspection

Introspection involves the systematic analysis of one’s own conscious experience.

Question 5

Define introspection in the context of Wundt’s work.

Answer 5

Systematic analysis of one’s own conscious experience, thought processes, feelings, emotions, and sensations.

Introspection required training individuals to report their inner thoughts and break them down into parts.

Question 6

What was the main aim of Wundt’s method of introspection?

Answer 6

To break down conscious thoughts into their constituent parts

This involved analyzing experiences in terms of components like sensations and emotional reactions.

Question 7

How were participants trained in the introspection method?

Answer 7

They were trained to analyze and report their inner thoughts in detail.

This training allowed for systematic observation of mental processes.

Question 8

What type of stimuli were used during introspection experiments?

Answer 8

Carefully controlled stimuli such as visual images or auditory tones.

The same stimulus was presented each time to ensure consistency.

Question 9

What conditions were introspection experiments conducted under?

Answer 9

Strictly controlled conditions

This included using the same standardised instructions and stimuli for all participants.

Question 10

True or False: Wundt’s work led to the development of cognitive psychology.

Answer 10

True

His controlled research paved the way for later studies in cognitive psychology.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: Introspection involves the systematic analysis of one’s own _______.

Answer 11

conscious experience

This includes thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Question 12

What was the significance of Wundt’s laboratory in psychology?

Answer 12

It marked the transition of psychology from philosophy to a scientific discipline.

This was crucial for establishing psychology as a field of empirical research.

Question 13

What did Wundt believe could be studied scientifically?

Answer 13

All aspects of nature, including the human mind.

This belief was foundational in the establishment of psychology as a science.

Question 14

Who criticized introspection for not being objective?

Answer 14

John Watson

Watson argued that introspection varied from person to person, making it difficult to establish general principles.

Question 15

What approach did Watson propose for psychology?

Answer 15

Behaviourist approach

This approach restricts itself to studying observable phenomena.

Question 16

What is the empirical method in psychology?

Answer 16

Empirical evidence is directly observable, gathered through the senses, and can be verified by measurements

It does not go beyond what can be observed.

Question 17

Define objectivity in research.

Answer 17

Free from bias; based on observable phenomena; not influenced by personal opinion, prejudice, or emotion

It must be empirical and available for verification by other scientists.

Question 18

What does replicability refer to in scientific studies?

Answer 18

The extent to which a study can be repeated to judge the reliability of results

A study should yield consistent results upon repetition.

Question 19

What is falsifiability?

Answer 19

The possibility to prove a statement, hypothesis, or theory wrong

This is only possible if a study is replicable and the hypothesis is operationalised/testable.

Question 20

What is required for scientific progress in psychology?

Answer 20

The ability to test and falsify a theory

The theory must be rigid, and hypotheses must be clear (operationalised).

Question 21

What is a paradigm in psychology?

Answer 21

A distinct set of concepts or thought patterns within a specific domain

Each psychological approach has its own paradigm.

Question 22

What happens during a paradigm shift?

Answer 22

A theory is falsified and a new paradigm is created based on newly discovered information

This signifies a significant change in the theoretical framework.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Empirical evidence is gathered through the _______.

Answer 23

senses

This means that empirical evidence is directly observable.

Question 24

True or False: All psychologists focus equally on the scientific aspects of their work.

Answer 24

False

Some psychologists argue that there will always be an element of subjectivity in their work.

Question 25

Who was the first person to call himself a psychologist?

Answer 25

Wundt ## Footnote Wundt established the first psychology laboratory at Leipzig university.

Question 26

What method did Wundt use to examine thought processes, feelings, emotions, and sensations?

Answer 26

Introspection ## Footnote Introspection involved participants describing their inner processes in response to controlled stimuli.

Question 27

What type of stimuli did Wundt present to his colleagues during experiments?

Answer 27

Carefully controlled stimuli such as visual images or auditory tones ## Footnote These stimuli were used to elicit introspective responses.

Question 28

What was a significant contribution of Wundt's work to psychology?

Answer 28

Marked the beginning of the scientific approach in psychology ## Footnote Wundt distinguished psychology as a discipline separate from philosophy, biology, and physiology.

Question 29

What is a limitation of Wundt's research methods?

Answer 29

Not scientific ## Footnote Critics noted that introspection is a non-empirical, subjective method.

Question 30

Why was Wundt's introspection considered unobservable?

Answer 30

Participants could report conscious experiences but the processes themselves were not observable ## Footnote Examples include memory and perception.

Question 31

What did critics argue about the reliability of Wundt's methods?

Answer 31

Lack of reliability ## Footnote Wundt's research could not be properly replicated.

Question 32

Which early psychologists achieved reliable results compared to Wundt?

Answer 32

Pavlov and Thorndike ## Footnote Their findings could be generalized to all human beings.

Question 33

What is a strength of Wundt's methods that is still relevant today?

Answer 33

Recording introspection in a controlled lab ## Footnote Wundt standardized procedures for testing participants.

Question 34

What is a limitation of using purely empirical methods in psychology?

Answer 34

Low ecological validity ## Footnote Objective methods may not reveal how people behave in natural settings.

Question 35

What did Nisbett and Wilson (1977) claim about human behavior?

Answer 35

We have very little knowledge of the causes and processes underlying our behavior and attitudes ## Footnote Their research indicated participants were unaware of influential factors in their choices.

Question 36

What is triangulation in psychological research?

Answer 36

Using a range of different methods to investigate one aim/hypothesis ## Footnote This approach helps gather reliable and valid data.

Question 37

How is introspection being used by modern psychologists?

Answer 37

As a method to make happiness a measurable phenomenon ## Footnote Hunter et al. (2003) used beepers to prompt participants to record their thoughts and feelings.

Question 38

What did Csikszentmihalyi and Hunter find about teenagers' happiness?

Answer 38

Teens were generally unhappy, except when focused on challenging tasks ## Footnote This indicates the context of activities influences emotional states.

Question 39

What does the continued use of introspection in contemporary psychology signify?

Answer 39

Wundt's long-lasting influence on the discipline of psychology ## Footnote Introspection remains a useful tool in understanding human behavior.