Wundt+ Introspection

• Wundt was the first Psychologist
• • He wrote the first textbook
  • He opened the first experimental psychology laboratory
  • He taught the first psychology students
  • ’Father of Psychology
  • Developed introspection
• Introspection: the examination or observation of one's own mental and emotional processes
• Introspection:

  • Looking within
  • Breaking down larger thoughts into smaller thoughts, images and sensations
  • breaks up conscious awareness into basic structures
• Introspection Experiment:

  • highly trained assistants trained by wound were given a common stimulus
  • then they were told to ‘look within’
  • (standardised instructions makes sure conditions are kept the same throughout the experiment)
  • they were encouraged to break their perception down into its most basic elements
• Strength (introspection):

  • Conducted in a controlled environment with standardised instructions (all results can be compared)
  • does not require the use of specialist equipment
• Weaknesses (introspection):

  • Relies on subjective interpretation
  • not suitable for all participants (children)
  • only investigates conscious thought
  • not empirical