Origins of psychology
Wundt established experimental psychology as a science. He believed that the way to study the
structure of the brain was to break down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their
basic elements. His approach was referred to as structuralism and the technique he used as
introspection.He realised that higher mental processes like learning, language and perception
can be described in terms of general trends in behaviour among groups of people.
Introspection is the process by which a person gains knowledge about his or her own mental
and emotional states as a result of the examination or observation of their conscious thoughts
and feelings. Wundt claimed that with sufficient training, mental processes such as memory and
perception could be observed systematically as they occurred using introspection. For example,
observers might be shown an object and asked to reflect upon how they were perceiving it.
Their description of the inner processes could then be used to gain insight into the nature of the
mental process involved in perception, reaction time etc. This made it possible to compare
different ppt’s reports in response to the same stimuli, and so establish general theories about
perception and other mental processes.
Emergence of psychology as a science
-Scientific psychology uses empirical methods. Empiricism is the belief that all knowledge is
derived from sensory experience (knowledge comes from observation and experience rather
than being innate). Scientific approach to psychology has two assumptions -behaviour is caused
(assumption of determinism) and if behaviour is determined then it should be possible to predict
how humans will behave in different environments (assumption of predictability). Empirical
methods of research are based on actual experience rather than on theory or belief. It involves
gathering data in an objective way so that researchers’ preconceptions cannot influence the
data. It also measures qualitative details so that patterns can be examined and inferences from
the results are credible.
-Scientific method refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and
replicable, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods.
It is objective in that it does not let preconceived ideas or biases influence the collection of their
data, and systematic in that observations or experiments are carried out in an orderly way.
Measurement and recording of empirical data are carried out accurately and with due
consideration for the possible influence of other factors on the results obtained. It is replicable in
that observations can be repeated by other researchers to determine whether the same results
are obtained. The development of scientific theories and the constant testing and refining of
these theories through further observation completes the scientific cycle.
1) Wundt’s methods were unreliable- A weakness of Wundt’s methods is that his approach
primarily relied on nonobservable responses. His approach ultimately failed because of
the lack of reliability of his methods, introspective results were not reliably reproducible
Wundt established experimental psychology as a science. He believed that the way to study the
structure of the brain was to break down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their
basic elements. His approach was referred to as structuralism and the technique he used as
introspection.He realised that higher mental processes like learning, language and perception
can be described in terms of general trends in behaviour among groups of people.
Introspection is the process by which a person gains knowledge about his or her own mental
and emotional states as a result of the examination or observation of their conscious thoughts
and feelings. Wundt claimed that with sufficient training, mental processes such as memory and
perception could be observed systematically as they occurred using introspection. For example,
observers might be shown an object and asked to reflect upon how they were perceiving it.
Their description of the inner processes could then be used to gain insight into the nature of the
mental process involved in perception, reaction time etc. This made it possible to compare
different ppt’s reports in response to the same stimuli, and so establish general theories about
perception and other mental processes.
Emergence of psychology as a science
-Scientific psychology uses empirical methods. Empiricism is the belief that all knowledge is
derived from sensory experience (knowledge comes from observation and experience rather
than being innate). Scientific approach to psychology has two assumptions -behaviour is caused
(assumption of determinism) and if behaviour is determined then it should be possible to predict
how humans will behave in different environments (assumption of predictability). Empirical
methods of research are based on actual experience rather than on theory or belief. It involves
gathering data in an objective way so that researchers’ preconceptions cannot influence the
data. It also measures qualitative details so that patterns can be examined and inferences from
the results are credible.
-Scientific method refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and
replicable, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods.
It is objective in that it does not let preconceived ideas or biases influence the collection of their
data, and systematic in that observations or experiments are carried out in an orderly way.
Measurement and recording of empirical data are carried out accurately and with due
consideration for the possible influence of other factors on the results obtained. It is replicable in
that observations can be repeated by other researchers to determine whether the same results
are obtained. The development of scientific theories and the constant testing and refining of
these theories through further observation completes the scientific cycle.
1) Wundt’s methods were unreliable- A weakness of Wundt’s methods is that his approach
primarily relied on nonobservable responses. His approach ultimately failed because of
the lack of reliability of his methods, introspective results were not reliably reproducible
