Origins Of Psychology

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  • Created by: Shed16705
  • Created on: 19-09-21 13:38
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
Believed all aspects of behaviour could be studied scientifically.
Aim was to study the structure of the human mind (break down human behaviours, such as sensation and perception into their basic elements)
Approach was referred to as Structuralism.
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Introspection
The process by which a person gains knowledge about his or her own mental & emotional states.
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Limitations: Wundt's methods weren't reliable
His approach relied primarily on 'non-observable' responses.
Wundt's approach ultimately failed because of the lack of reliability of his methods.
Introspective 'experimental' results weren't reliably reproducible by other researchers.
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Limitations: Introspection is not particularly accurate
For example, someone may be racist, which influences how they react to a certain ethnic group, yet because those attitudes exist outside of conscious awareness, self-reports through introspection would not be accurate.
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Emergence of Psychology as a science
When empirical methods were first applied to humans by Wundt and his followers, Psychology began to emerge as a distinct entity.
This 'scientific' approach was based on two major assumptions: determinism and predictability.
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Determinism
All behaviour is seen as being caused.
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Predictability
If all behaviour is determined, then it would be possible to predict how human would behave in different conditions.
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The scientific method in Psychology
The scientific method refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable.
Researchers do not let preconceived ideas or biases influence the collection of data.
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Strengths of the scientific approach

(If a theory no longer fits the facts, it can be refined or abandoned - scientific knowledge is self-corrective.)
Reliance on objective and systematic methods of observation means the knowledge gained is more than passive acceptance of facts.
Due to the reliance on determinism, they are able to establish causes of behaviour through empirical and reliable methods.
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Limitations of the scientific approach

(Much of the subject matter is unobservable, therefore it can't be measured with any degree of accuracy.)
By concentrating on objectivity and control rather than observations, psychologists create contrived situations that tell us little about how humans act in more natural environments.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

The process by which a person gains knowledge about his or her own mental & emotional states.

Back

Introspection

Card 3

Front

His approach relied primarily on 'non-observable' responses.
Wundt's approach ultimately failed because of the lack of reliability of his methods.
Introspective 'experimental' results weren't reliably reproducible by other researchers.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

For example, someone may be racist, which influences how they react to a certain ethnic group, yet because those attitudes exist outside of conscious awareness, self-reports through introspection would not be accurate.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

When empirical methods were first applied to humans by Wundt and his followers, Psychology began to emerge as a distinct entity.
This 'scientific' approach was based on two major assumptions: determinism and predictability.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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