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define learning
a long term change in behaviour
what is the scientific method?
the use of investigative methods that are objective that are objective (no investigator effects), systematic (well-ordered method) and replicable, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods
what does SCORES F stand for?
systematic procedures
control variables
objective measures
replicable
ethical
scepticism
falsifiable
what is a deduction?
start with a theory then look in to evidence to support it
what is an induction?
starting with evidence then devise a theory to explain it
define structuralism
an approach aimed to reduce every mental process down to its most basic elements
define introspection
a technique break conscious awareness into its basic structures of thoughts, images, sensations etc.
latin for looking into
what are the problems with introspection?
unreliable = impossible to report on unconscious processes in the brain
not replicated other researchers got different findings
inaccurate perceptions of our perceptions are frequently wrong
what are the 3 steps of introspection?
Presented with Stimulus ie the turning on of a light.
Inspect own thoughts - Report back their own emotions, sensations & thoughts that resulted from the turning on of a light.
Draw Conclusions - Compare all the responses from the participants to see what was similar and different about them in order to draw conclusions.
what are instances where introspection can be used as research tools?
irrational thinking in gamblers
happiness in teenagers
decision making in consumers
define empiricism
the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, generally chatacterised by the use of the scientific method in psychology
what are the strengths of the scientific method?
can show cause and effect
can make predictions
knowledge is built on fact not guesswork
self correcting - weak theories are abandoned/improved
what are the limitations of the scientific method?
highly constructed conditions are artificial
much of psychological phenomena are observable we can develop theories but not methods to test them
assumes behaviour is simple and conforms to universal laws like atoms, photons
where was Wundts laboratory?
Leipzig in Germany
what did Wundt believe?
that all aspects of nature including the human mind could be studied scientifically
what was Wundts aim?
was to study the structure of the human mind using structuralism and introspection
what was Wundts approach referred to as?
structuralism
what was Wundts technique?
introspection
what did Wundt pave the way for?
for the acceptance of psychology as a distinct science in its own right
why is the scientific method objective?
in that the researchers do not let preconceived ideas or biases influence the collection of their data
why is the scientific method systematic?
observations or experiments are carried out in an orderly way
how are measurements and recording of data carried out in the scientific approach?
carried out accurately and with due consideration for the possible influence of other factors
what are the 2 major assumptions of the new scientific approach?
all behaviour is seen as being caused (determinism)
if behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how human beings would behave in different conditions
what’s the scientific cycle?
objective, systematic and replicable observation
building refining or falsifying
development of a scientific theory
testing
what did Wundt claim about introspection?
with sufficient training, mental processes such as memory and perception could be observed systematically as they occurred using introspection
what did Wundt ask his observers to do with introspection?
they might be shown an object and asked to reflect upon how they were perceiving it
what does introspection allow?
made it possible to compare different pps reports in response to the same stimuli, and so establish general theories about perception and other mental processes
how was Wundts approach unreliable?
relied on non observable characteristics and perception and memory are unobservable constructs so therefore were unable to be reproduced by other researchers
how does the scientific method establish cause and effect?
its reliance on objective and systematic methods of observation, means knowledge is obtained through fact and scientific theories can be refined or abandoned
what is scientific knowledge?
self corrective
what did Nisbett and Wilson claim?
that we have very little knowledge of the causes of and processes underlying our behaviour and attitudes
some attitudes exist outside of conscious awareness so self reports through introspection would not uncover them
what does Nisbett and Wilsons claim challenge?
the value of introspective reports in exploring the roots of our behaviour
Evaluation of Wundts impact on the emergence of psychology
discussion of the subjectivity of Wundt's methods in contrast to the objectivity of the scientific process and the difficulty modern psychologists have trying to objectively study unobservable matter
introspective methods were not reliably reproduced/Wundt's difficulty with replication due to subjectivity
discussion of the validity of introspection - many aspects of our minds are outside of our conscious awareness, eg research by Nisbett & Wilson
greater contributions to the development of psychology by early behaviourists, eg Pavlov, than by Wundt, as they produced reliable findings with explanatory principles that were generalisable - much more in keeping with the scientific approach.
