Wundt

• Wundts (1879) experiment

  introspection

  lab experiment

  aim= analyse the nature of human consciousness

  first systematic attempt to study the mind under controlled conditions
• Wundts procedure

  standardised

  he and his co-workers recorded their experiences of various stimuli e.g. objects or sounds

  one example is metronome

  participants would observe their thoughts, images and sensations
• why was Wundt's approach know as structuralism

  he aimed to identify the basic elements or "structures" of consciousness such as sensations and perceptions
• what is introspection

  process used to observe and examine one's own conscious thoughts and emotions
• what did Wundt's findings conclude

  Wundt used the findings of introspection to identify the process used in human consciousness
• strengths of Wundt

  systematic and well controlled methods- limits extraneous variables

  standardised procedure

  acts as start point of cognitive approach
• limitations of Wundt

  not replicable- relies on individual perceptions and processes

  isn't seen as scientific enough today