Introspection

Cards (8)

  • 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