The Origins of Psychology

Today’s Objectives To outline and evaluate the process of introspection, as a method for examining the human mind. To understand the development of psychology as a science, by recreating a timeline for the history of psychology.

William Wundt – The Father of Psychology William was the first person to be called a psychologist. He opened a psychology laboratory in Germany in 1879 He wanted to explore the human ‘mind’…

Introspection Wundt’s method of studying the human mind was introspection. Question: What do you think introspection involves? We will now try to study our minds, using introspection… Task: On the next slide you will be presented with a problem. In the back of your exercise book, write down all your conscious thoughts while you are trying to solve the problem. Do not censor any thoughts.

Introspection Task: In the back of your exercise book, write down all your conscious thoughts while you are trying to solve the problem. Do not censor any thoughts. A man has to get a fox, a chicken, and a sack of corn across a river. He has a rowboat, and it can only carry him and one other thing. If the fox and the chicken are left together, the fox will eat the chicken. If the chicken and the corn are left together, the chicken will eat the corn. How does the man do it?

The Solution The man and the chicken cross the river, (the fox and corn are safe together), he leaves the chicken on the other side and goes back across. The man then takes the fox across the river, and since he can't leave the fox and chicken together, he brings the chicken back. Again, since the chicken and corn can't be left together, he leaves the chicken and he takes the corn across and leaves it with the fox. He then returns to pick up the chicken and heads across the river one last time.

Introspection Questions to consider: What were your conscious thoughts? How did you try and work out the problem? Compare your thoughts with other people on your table. Were your thoughts similar/different. Are there any patterns.

What is introspection? Introspection means “looking into” It is the examination of ones thoughts. Subjects would be presented with a problem to solve or something to memorise. They would be asked to report back their inner experiences. Introspection should be obtained during task performance rather than after to avoid memory problems.

Evaluating Introspection Task: What are the problems with introspection? In your groups, discuss what issues there are with introspection as a method for studying the human ‘mind’… The reports may be distorted (deliberately), you may pretend to have more positive thoughts. There will always be a delay between the conscious experience and reporting the existence, we may forget parts of it. Subjects reports from introspection could not be replicated therefore not reliable.

Psychology as a Science

Psychology as a Science Different psychological approaches emerged at different times and in your induction you encountered four approaches to psychology. Task: In groups, put the approaches in the correct order in which they emerged, telling the story of how psychology emerged as a science. Also try to match the ‘date’ which goes with each approach. For example… You have 15 minutes. 15 Minutes

Psychology as a Science Task: Walk around to view the other group’s story, does your group want to make any changes? You have 5 minutes before you will present your stories… 5 Minutes

Exam Style Questions Task: Write an answer to the following questions, in your exercise books: Explain what is meant by introspection (3 marks). Outline two criticisms of introspection as a method of investigation (4 marks). Briefly explain the emergence of psychology as a science (4 marks).

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