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Origins of psychology - Coggle Diagram
Origins of psychology
Wundt
Wilhelm Wundt, described as a founder of psychology. Believed that all human behaviour & the mind could be studied scientifically.
He created the first experimental psych lab in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. This was followed by researchers in America and Britain. Lab was called the Institute of Experimental Psychology.
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His approach was supported by biologist, philosophers and medical experts as he aimed to study the structure of the mind, thoughts and sensations & break them down to basic elements.
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Introspection
Involves reflection on own cognitive processes e.g thoughts, feelings and sensations and then describing them.
Relies mostly on non-observable responses & pt can only report on conscious experiences not unconscious ones which relate to behaviour.
Obviously produced subjective data, meaning it was hard to establish general laws/principles.
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Evaluation
Led to some useful general laws: modern researchers have used introspection e.g Hunter et al, used it to identify what makes teenagers happy/unhappy. Helped improve the reputation of psychology as a science.
Introspection is subjective: can be hard to create general laws, lack of numerical data. Introspection lacks scientific rigour.
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Has to make inferences as the approach is based on things you cannot observe e.g thoughts, could reduce the validity and credibility.