origins of psychology

• What was one strength of Wundt's work?

  Some of his methods were systematic and well-controlled (i.e. scientific)
• Why were Wundt's introspections considered scientific?

  They were recorded in a controlled lab environment to avoid extraneous variables
• What is one limitation of Wundt's research methods?

  Wundt relied on participants self-reporting their mental processes (subjective data)
• Why is subjective data from self-reporting a limitation in Wundt's research?

  It is difficult to establish meaningful 'laws of behaviour' from such data
• How does Wundt's use of subjective data contrast with the aims of scientific enquiry?

  General laws are useful to predict future behaviour, which is one aim of science
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Wundt's research methods?

  Strengths:

  • Some methods were systematic and well-controlled (scientific)
  • Introspections were recorded in a controlled lab environment

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Relied on subjective, self-reported data from participants
  • Difficult to establish meaningful 'laws of behaviour' from such data
  • Does not meet the criteria of scientific enquiry (e.g. predicting future behaviour)