Wilhelm Wundt and Introspection

Why did Wundt use introspection?

He believed it would gather information on how the participants mind is working. It allows him to examine the mind in its most basic elements

Describe a strength of Wundt's work

It is still used today to gain access to cognitive processes. For example in 1994 it was used to study the cognitive processes of fruit machine gambles

How is Wundt's work significant?

It marked the separation of the modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots

Describe introspection

It means 'looking into' and requires participants to reflect on their own cognitive processes and describe them

Describe a weakness of Wundt's work

It relies primarily on non-observable responses. For example although participants can report conscious experiences they cannot report unconscious ones.

1879 - where did Wundt open to first psychologyy laboratory?

Leipzig, Germany

How was introspection scientific?

Participants were recorded using the same stimulus - a ticking metronome. The same instructions were issued, allowing the procedure to be repeated

1873 - what book did Wundt publish on psychology?

Principles of Psysiological Psychology

What was Wundt's approach known as?

Structuralism

Describe Wundt's approach

Study the structure of the human mind and break down the behaviours into basic elements

What is Wundt considered to be?

The father of psychology