Origins of Psychology

Wundt and Introspection

Wundt

• Believed that the mind could be studied scientifically
• He established psychology as a science
• He thought the mind was constructed of basic elements, sensation, and perception (structuralism)
• He used introspection to access mental processes
• Asking pps to reflect on internal mental processes

Emipicism

Wundt

• Based on empiricism
• Behaviour is caused
• It is therefore predictable/ Determined

Scientific Method

Scientific Method

• Objective, perceptions or biases do not influence results
• systematic measurement - recording of empirical data
• replicable - can be repeated by others to establish reliability
• Constant testing and refinement of theories - science

Evaluations

Evaluations

Wundt Unreliable

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• non observeable
• Pavlov - observable behaviours
• Pavlov therefore could be generalised

Wundt Inaccurate

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• Introspection not always accurate
• We therefore have little knowledge
• Something like sexism will not show up in introspection but will do in behaviour
• Individuals are not always aware of their beliefs

Strength of the methodology

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• Relies on empirical, objective and systematic data - less biased
• Determinism
• Self correcting

Limitation of scientific approach

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• high levels of objectivity and control = lack of ecological validity
• Much of our matter is unobservable
• Human behaviour too complex to be studied in this way

Introspection still used

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• Used to measure happiness in teenagers
• Teenagers more unhappy than happy
• tended to be happier when doing challenging tasks

Apply

• In a study of perception several pps were asked to describe their inner sensations and experiences while viewing a visual illusion and what they say is recorded
• How would a structuralist such as Wundt use the information to gain understanding