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The origins of psychology (Evaluation (Strengths of the scientific…
The origins of psychology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)
He studied reaction time and sensations and stimuli at his lab in Germany
He wanted to study the structure of the human mind, believed to do this he should break down sensation and perception into their basic elements
The approach he used was structuralism and the technique was introspection
Introspection
A process where a person gains an insight into their mental and emotional state
In wundts studies of perception, PP would be presented with a carefully controlled stimuli (visual images or auditory tones) and then asked to provide a description of the inner processes they were experiencing. This allowed him to create general theories about perception and mental processes
The emergence of psychology as a science
Empiricism
holds psychology together as a discipline
Empiricists believe that knowledge is not innate, it comes from experience
The scientific method
in psychology refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable.
Evaluation
Wundts methods were
unreliable
A criticism of his structuralist approach is that it relied on non observable responses. Behaviorists noted there was a lack of reliability as the results couldn't be replicated or observed
Introspection isn't that accurate
Nisbett and Wilson challenged introspection as they claim that we have very little knowledge of what causes and the processes underlying our behaviors and attitudes
Strengths of the scientific approach
They establish the causes of behavior through methods that are both empirical and replicable by believing in determinism
Scientific knowledge is self corrective and if the theories don't fit the facts then they can be changed
Limitations of the scientific approach
Due to most of psychology being un-observable, it can't be measured with accuracy . So it is very inferential (There's a large gap between the data obtained and the theories put forward)
Key terms:
Empiricism= The belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, uses the scientific method
Introspection= gaining knowledge about his or her own mental and emotional state by examining their own conscious thoughts and feelings
Scientific method= Refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable.