Origins of Psychology: Wundt, introspection and the emergence of Psychology as a science.

What is the Origin of Psychology?

• Psychology originated from philosophy.
• Became established as a scientific discipline through the work of Wilhelm Wundt.

Who was Wilhelm Wundt?

• Known as the father of psychology.
• Opened the first psychology laboratory in Germany in 1879.
• Marked the emergence of psychology as a science.

Why is 1879 Important in Psychology?

• Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory in 1879.
• Considered the birth of psychology as a scientific discipline.

What is Introspection?

• Method where participants examine and report their own conscious thoughts and experiences.
• Used to study sensations, thoughts and feelings under controlled conditions.

How was Introspection Conducted?

• Participants exposed to a stimulus.
• Asked to report immediate conscious experiences and reactions.
• Conducted under controlled and standardised conditions.

How Did Psychology Emerge as a Science?

• Wundt introduced controlled experiments and systematic observation.
• Psychology became more objective and scientific.
• Empirical methods and measurable data were used.

What is a Paradigm?

• A shared set of assumptions and methods used within a scientific discipline.
• Helps guide scientific research and understanding.

How Did Wundt Contribute to Psychology as a Paradigm?

• Wundt introduced controlled observation and standardised methods.
• Helped psychology become a recognised scientific discipline.
• Shifted psychology away from philosophy and speculation.

What was Psychology Like Before Wundt?

• Psychology was closely linked to philosophy.
• Relied on speculation and lacked scientific methods.

Psychology Timeline — Philosophy Era

• Before psychology became scientific, explanations of behaviour came mainly from philosophy and religion.

Psychology Timeline — Wundt and Structuralism

• In 1879 Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory.
• Focused on introspection and conscious experience.
• Marked the emergence of psychology as a science.

Psychology Timeline — Psychodynamic Approach

• Early 1900s.
• Freud focused on the unconscious mind and childhood experiences.

Psychology Timeline — Behaviourism

• 1913 Watson launched behaviourism.
• Focused only on observable behaviour and scientific objectivity.

Psychology Timeline — Cognitive Approach

• Emerged in the 1950s during the cognitive revolution.
• Focused on internal mental processes such as memory and thinking.

Psychology Timeline — Biological Approach

• Developed through advances in neuroscience.
• Focuses on genes, brain structures and neurotransmitters.

Psychology Timeline — Humanistic Approach

• Developed in the 1950s and 1960s.
• Focused on free will, self-actualisation and personal growth.

Origins of Psychology AO3 — Scientific Methods

• Wundt used controlled conditions and standardised procedures.
• Improved objectivity and reliability.
• Helped psychology gain scientific credibility.

Origins of Psychology AO3 — Introspection Lacks Objectivity

• Introspection relies on self-report of conscious experiences.
• Findings may be subjective and difficult to verify scientifically.
• Reduces scientific validity.

Origins of Psychology AO3 — Introspection Not Replicable

• Different participants may interpret experiences differently.
• Makes findings less reliable and difficult to replicate.

Origins of Psychology AO3 — Influence on Modern Psychology

• Wundt’s work established psychology as a separate scientific discipline.
• Influenced later psychological approaches and research methods.