Essay writing - Wundt and the scientific method

• Wundt's methods were unreliable


  Mental processes that occur (e.g. memory, perception) are considered unobservable constructions. Therefore, the results are somewhat unreliable.
• A scientific approach tests assumptions about behaviour


  Use of the scientific method means that you can prove/disprove theories, instead of just accepting them without empirical data to back it up.
• A scientific approach is not always appropriate


  Human behaviour may not abide by scientific rules, and therefore results and theories may be based off inferences rather than empirical data, making it unreliable.
• Introspection is not particularly accurate


  Nisbett and Wilson (1977) argued that we have little knowledge of the causes of, and processes underlying our behaviour. People may have implicit views, which cannot be picked up by introspection.
• Introspection is still useful in scientific psychology


  Csikszentmihalyi and Hunter (2003) used introspection to make 'happiness' a measurable phenomenon. This means introspection may be used to improve people's quality of life.