The origins of psychology

• Who is considered the father of modern psychology?

  Wilhelm Wundt
• What did Wundt believe could be studied scientifically?

  Aspects of nature, including the human mind
• What was Wundt's aim in psychology?

  To study the structure of the human mind
• What method did Wundt use to study behaviors?

  Introspection
• How did Wundt's view on studying higher mental processes evolve?

  He realized they couldn't be studied strictly
• What term did Wundt use to describe the study of general trends in behavior?

  Völkerpsychologie
• What is introspection?

  Gaining knowledge about one's mental states
• How can mental processes be observed according to Wundt?

  Systematically as they occur using introspection
• What is the significance of comparing different participants' reports?

  To establish general theories about mental processes
• What do empiricists believe about knowledge?

  It comes from observation and experience
• What assumption underlies the scientific approach in psychology?

  All behavior is caused and predictable
• What is the scientific method?

  Objective, systematic, and replicable investigative methods
• What must results be to be accepted as universally true?

  Replicable
• What is a limitation of introspection according to Nisbett and Wilson?

  We have little knowledge of causative processes
• How might implicit racism affect behavior?

  It influences reactions to different ethnic groups
• What challenge does introspection face in exploring behavior roots?

  Attitudes may exist outside conscious awareness
• How has introspection been used in modern psychology?

  To measure happiness through beeper studies
• What did Csikszentmihalyi and Hunter use to study happiness?

  Beeper method
• What did most entries from the beeper study indicate?

  Teenagers were mostly unhappy
• What does introspection offer researchers in psychology?

  A way to understand conditions affecting happiness
• Why is Wundt's method considered unreliable?

  It relied on nonobservable responses
• What was a major criticism of Wundt's approach?

  Lack of reliability in introspective results
• What are the key components of the scientific method in psychology?

  • Objective investigation
  • Systematic approach
  • Replicable results
  • Avoidance of biases
  • Accurate measurement and recording
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of introspection in psychological research?

  Strengths:

  • Provides insight into mental states
  • Can measure subjective experiences

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Subject to personal bias
  • Nonobservable responses limit reliability