psych- approaches

• Features of science

  objectivity- basing findings on fact as opposed to opinion (subjectivity)

  replicability- the ability to repeat a study and achieve the same findings

  empiricism- phenomenon that can be observed

  standardisation- controlled methods used in lab experiments and allows psychologists to establish causes and effects of the IV and DV
• philosophical roots

  Rene Descartes- suggested mind and body being separate

  John Locke- suggested concept of empiricism (knowledge and experience is gained through the senses)

  Charles Darwin- theory of evolution
• Wilhelm Wundt

  • Opened the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and wrote the book "The Principles of Psychology".
  • His approach to the human mind was breaking down thoughts/behaviours into smaller components (structuralism)
  • Studied the mind through introspection (trained participants describing thoughts and thought processes)
• Wilhelm Wundt- AO3

  • strength- introspection was done in a controlled environment
  • strength- Wundt encouraged cognitive psychologists to study mental processes
  • weakness- introspection relies on non-observable responses
  • weakness- introspection has been criticised for being too subjective
  • weakness- Wundt trained his own researchers