Approaches
Origins of psychology
Empiricism The belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by the use of
experimental method
Introspection The process by which a person gains knowledge about their own mental
Scientific method The use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable and the
formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods.
Key study: Wilhem Wundt introspection
He believed that the human mind was constructed of basic elements of sensation and perception
(structuralism approach) and could be studied scientifically. He used introspection to access mental
processes. This approach was based on empiricism.
Evaluation:
+ It’s less biased, self-correcting, based on determinism
+ Introspection is useful in psychology a study was done where introspection was used to measure
‘happiness’. Teenagers were given beepers and whenever it would beep throughout the day they had
to write their thoughts; teens were generally more unhappy than happy.
- Method is unreliable can’t be easily reproducible
- High levels of objectivity and control will tell us little about how people act in their natural
environments
- Introspection isn’t particularly accurate we may not even be consciously aware of it
Origins of psychology
Empiricism The belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by the use of
experimental method
Introspection The process by which a person gains knowledge about their own mental
Scientific method The use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable and the
formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods.
Key study: Wilhem Wundt introspection
He believed that the human mind was constructed of basic elements of sensation and perception
(structuralism approach) and could be studied scientifically. He used introspection to access mental
processes. This approach was based on empiricism.
Evaluation:
+ It’s less biased, self-correcting, based on determinism
+ Introspection is useful in psychology a study was done where introspection was used to measure
‘happiness’. Teenagers were given beepers and whenever it would beep throughout the day they had
to write their thoughts; teens were generally more unhappy than happy.
- Method is unreliable can’t be easily reproducible
- High levels of objectivity and control will tell us little about how people act in their natural
environments
- Introspection isn’t particularly accurate we may not even be consciously aware of it
