origins of psychology: WUNDT Flashcards
(7 cards)
what are the 6 AO1 points you must know for origins of psychology- Wundt?
-Wilhelm Wundt as the ‘Father of Psychology’
-First Psychology Lab (1879)
-Structuralism
-Introspection
-Scientific Methodology
-Legacy and Influence
Why is Wilhelm Wundt considered the ‘father of psychology’?
Because he was the first to separate psychology from philosophy by applying scientific methods to the study of the human mind, establishing it as a distinct scientific discipline.
When and where did Wundt establish the first psychology lab?
In 1879, Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, marking the formal birth of psychology as a scientific subject.
What is meant by ‘structuralism’ in Wundt’s approach?
Structuralism refers to breaking down mental processes into their basic components (e.g., sensation, perception), to understand the structure of the human mind.
What is introspection and how did Wundt use it?
Introspection is a method where participants reflect on their inner mental processes (thoughts, feelings, sensations) in response to stimuli. Wundt used this to explore conscious experience.
How did Wundt attempt to make introspection scientific?
He used standardised instructions and controlled environments to reduce bias and improve replicability, aiming to apply the scientific method to mental processes.
What was Wundt’s impact on the development of psychology?
His work laid the foundation for later approaches such as the cognitive and biological approaches. His student Edward Titchener developed structuralism further in the USA.
