Wilhelm Wundt

Question 1

Wundt

Answer 1

1) A German scientist who was the first person to be referred to as a psychologist.

2) His famous book entitled ‘Principles of Physiological Psychology’ was published in 1873.

3) Established the first psych lab (Leipzig) - aim was to describe nature of human consciousness in a controlled environment.

4) Separated psychology from philosophy - by analysing workings of the mind in a more structured way with emphasis being objectivity, measurement & control.

Question 2

Introspection

Answer 2

Wundt pioneered introspection:

1)The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into structures of thoughts, images & sensations.

2) Examining own conscious experience as objectively as possible, “internal perception”.

Question 3

Wundt’s Introspection

Answer 3

Uses very specific experimental conditions.

1) The first requirement - use of “trained” or practiced observers.
2) The second requirement - use of repeatable stimuli that always produced the same experience in the subject.

These eliminate “interpretation” in the reporting of internal experiences.

Question 4

Controlled Procedures

Answer 4

Used strictly controlled methods:

1) Same standardised instructions given to all pp.
2) Same stimuli & stimuli all presented in the same order (standardised procedures)

Standardisation –> increases replicability –> beginning of more scientific approach.

Question 5

Structuralism

Answer 5

1) Structuralism - the attempt to understand the structure and characteristics of the mind.

2) To investigate structuralism, Wundt established his psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig.

3) Introspection led to identifying the structure of consciousness by breaking it up into basic structures: thoughts, images & sensations.

Question 6

Empiricism & Empirical Evidence

Answer 6

Empiricism - all experience can be obtained through the senses –> humans inherit neither knowledge nor instincts.

E Evidence - data collected by directed observation or experiment. Findings can be used to accept/reject a hypothesis. Observations are done carefully & reported in detail so work can be held to account by peers.

Question 7

Objectivity

Answer 7

Facts/ Findings not Beliefs/ Opinions

Rearchers should be unbiased in investigations & not influenced by feelings.

Question 8

Strengths

Answer 8

ASPECTS OF WUNDT’S WORK ARE SCIENTIFIC

1) He recorded the introspections within a controlled lab environment.
2) Standardised procedures so all pps received the same info & were tested the same way.
–> SO, Wundt’s research can be considered a forerunner to the later scientific approaches in psych that were to come.

Question 9

Limitations of Introspection

Answer 9

UNRELIABLE

We cannot objectively measure a person’s responses because they are unobservable responses.

Participants could report on their conscious experiences but the processes themselves (e.g. memory, perception) are considered to be unobservable constructs.

Question 10

Limitations

Answer 10

ASPECTS ARE SUBJECTIVE

1) He relied on pps self-reporting their ‘private’ mental processes –> such data is subjective since pps may also have hidden some of their thoughts (social desirability bias).
2) Makes it difficult to establish meaningful ‘laws of behaviour’.
–> SO, Wundt’s early efforts to study the mind were naive & would not meet the criteria of scientific enquiry.

Question 11

Wundt’s Contributions

Answer 11

1) Produced 1st academic journal for psych research and wrote the 1st textbook - often referred to as the ‘father’ of modern psych.

2) His pioneering research set the foundations for future approaches (e.g. behaviourist & cognitive).

3) Established the first psych lab (Leipzig) to describe the nature of human consciousness in a controlled environment.

4) Scientific procedures so all pps received the same info & were tested the same way.
–> SO, Wundt’s research can be considered a forerunner to the later scientific approaches in psych that were to come.