Introspection

• Wundt pioneered this approach in 1879 
• Introspection refers to the observing and examining your own conscious thoughts and feelings
• Wilhem Wundt:

  • Opened the first psychology lab 
  • Used it to study the human mind using introspection 
  • Known as 'structuralism' because he wanted to focus on the structures of the mind such as our thinking processes 
  • He focused on aspects of the human mind that were observable and measurable so this was in a controlled environment

  Before Wundt, psychological thoughts about the mind were considered philosophy 
• Introspection: 

  • Used to study sensations and perceptions in individuals by asking them to describe their internal processes in response to certain stimuli. 
• Scientific methods:

  • Objective 
  • Preconceptions / biases do not influence data collection
  • Systematic 
  • Measurement and recording of empirical data is carried out with precision and control 
  • Replicable 
  • They can be repeated to determine whether the same results are obtained 
• I (introspection)

  P ersonally (psychodynamic)

  B ring (Behaviourism)

  H umble (humanistic)

  S cissors (Social Learning Theory)

  C onsciously (cognitive)

  B etween (bioloigcal)

  N otebooks (neuroscience)
• + scientific methods used

  • Cause and effect can be established when examining the brain and behaviour 
  • Brought a more reputable perspective on psychology
  • Replication is available 
  • Bias is removed

  Data is reliable and valid 
• -- introspection is open to flaws / demand characteristics 

  • Scientific studies are unlike real life 
  • Deterministic, ignores freewill and choice
  • Not all human behaviour can be studied scientifically because human behaviour is complex 

  Lacks ecological validity