Psychology - Approaches to Psychology - Origins of Psychology

?
Who Was Wilhem Wundt and What Did He Do?
Opened the first psychological lab in Germany in 1879. The aim was to describe the nature of human consciousness (the 'mind') in a carefully controlled and scientific environment - a lab
1 of 13
What Is Introspection?
It was pioneered by Wundt. It was the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic forms like thoughts, images and sensations. Isolating the structure of consciousness is called structuralism
2 of 13
Why Was Wundt's Work Significant?
Although his early attempt to study the mind would be seen today as naive, his work was significant as it marked the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical routes
3 of 13
How Did Wundt Standardise His Experiments?
The same standardised instructions were given to all participants. Procedures could be repeated (replicated). For instance, participants were given a ticking metronome and they would report their thoughts, images and sensations, which were recorded
4 of 13
Who Was John B. Watson and What Did He Do?
John B. Watson (1913) argued that introspection was subjective, in that it varied from person to person. According to the behaviourist approach, 'scientific' psychology should only study phenomena that can be observed and measured
5 of 13
Who Was B.F. Skinner and What Did He Do?
B.F. Skinner (1953) brought the language and rigour of the natural sciences into psychology. The behaviourists' focus on learning, and the use of carefully controlled lab studies, would dominate psychology for the next few decades
6 of 13
What Was the Timeline of Emergence of Psychology as a Science?
1900s, early behaviourists rejected introspection. 1930s, behaviourist scientific approach dominated psychology. 1950s, cognitive approach used scientific procedures to study mental processes. 1990s, biological approach used technological advances
7 of 13
AO3 - Some Aspects of Wundt's Methods Would Be Classed as Scientific Today
He recorded the introspections in a controlled lab. He also standardised procedures so all participants received the same information and were tested in the same way. Wundt's research can be considered a forerunner to later scientific approaches
8 of 13
AO3 - Other Aspects of His Research Would be Considered Unscientific Today
Participants were self-reporting their thoughts - records/results weren't valid. Participants wouldn't have had the same thoughts every time. Establishing general principles wasn't possible. His efforts were naive - wouldn't meet scientific criteria
9 of 13
AO3 - Research in Modern Psychology Can Claim to be Specific
Psychology aims are to understand, describe, predict and control behaviour. Other approaches rely on the use of scientific methods, like lab studies. From the 20th century and beyond, psychology has established itself as a scientific discipline
10 of 13
AO3 - Not All Approaches Use Objective Methods
Humanistic approach doesn't attempt to formulate general laws of behaviour, only wants to document unique/subjective experience. Psychodynamic approach - case study method. Scientific approach - impossible - difference between psychology and science
11 of 13
What is Psychology?
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context
12 of 13
What is Science?
A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws
13 of 13

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

It was pioneered by Wundt. It was the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic forms like thoughts, images and sensations. Isolating the structure of consciousness is called structuralism

Back

What Is Introspection?

Card 3

Front

Although his early attempt to study the mind would be seen today as naive, his work was significant as it marked the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical routes

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The same standardised instructions were given to all participants. Procedures could be repeated (replicated). For instance, participants were given a ticking metronome and they would report their thoughts, images and sensations, which were recorded

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

John B. Watson (1913) argued that introspection was subjective, in that it varied from person to person. According to the behaviourist approach, 'scientific' psychology should only study phenomena that can be observed and measured

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Psychology resources:

See all Psychology resources »See all Approaches resources »