Podcast
Questions and Answers
What did Wundt mean by 'introspection'?
What did Wundt mean by 'introspection'?
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images, and sensations.
What was Wundt's contribution to psychology?
What was Wundt's contribution to psychology?
He opened the first experimental psychology lab in 1879 and pioneered the method of introspection.
What concerns are associated with Wundt's method of introspection?
What concerns are associated with Wundt's method of introspection?
It relied on participants self-reporting their private mental processes, which are subjective.
How did Watson's view on introspection differ from Wundt's?
How did Watson's view on introspection differ from Wundt's?
Signup and view all the answers
What did B.F. Skinner contribute to psychology?
What did B.F. Skinner contribute to psychology?
Signup and view all the answers
The behaviorist approach only studies phenomena that can be observed and measured.
The behaviorist approach only studies phenomena that can be observed and measured.
Signup and view all the answers
What do some critics argue about a scientific approach to psychology?
What do some critics argue about a scientific approach to psychology?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Wundt & Introspection
- Wundt aimed to understand human consciousness through introspection, which involved breaking down conscious awareness into basic elements like thoughts, images, and sensations.
- This process of isolating the structure of consciousness is known as Structuralism.
Wundt's Work and Its Evaluation
- Wundt opened the first experimental psychology lab in 1879.
- He utilized standardized instructions and controlled lab environments to ensure replicability.
- Although his research paved the way for later scientific approaches, it also had limitations:
- Relied on subjective self-reporting, making data susceptible to individual biases.
- Difficulty in establishing general principles due to variations in individual thought processes.
The Emergence of Psychology as a Science
- Watson (1913) criticized introspection due to its subjective nature and variations between individuals.
- Behaviorism emerged, advocating for the study of observable and measurable phenomena in psychology.
- Skinner (1963) brought scientific rigor and methods from the natural sciences into psychology, focusing on learning and controlled lab studies.
- This behaviorist approach dominated psychology for several decades.
- Some argue that applying a scientific approach to human thought and experience is impossible or undesirable due to the inherent differences between psychology and the natural sciences.
- Other approaches like humanism and psychodynamics utilize less rigorous methods, relying on subjective techniques like case studies.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the foundational concepts of Wundt's introspection method and its significance in the development of psychology as a science. This quiz addresses structuralism, the establishment of experimental psychology, and the critiques that led to the rise of behaviorism. Test your understanding of these pivotal ideas in psychology.
