Origins Of Psychology- Paper 2 Model Answers (AQA Psychology)
Origins of Psychology Past Exam Questions -Model Answers
Outline Wundt’s method of introspection. (3 marks)
Model Answer
Participants were presented with various stimuli, such as visual or auditory stimuli, under controlled conditions. The stimuli could be simple, such as a single tone or colour, or more complex, such as a series of words or images.
Participants were then instructed to observe and carefully introspect upon their own mental experiences and processes in response to the presented stimuli. They were encouraged to focus on their immediate conscious experiences, including thoughts, sensations, emotions, and perceptions.
After introspecting upon their experiences, participants were required to provide detailed verbal reports of their subjective observations. These reports included descriptions of their mental states, the content of their thoughts, and any other relevant aspects of their conscious experience.
Outline and evaluate Wundt’s role in the emergence of psychology as a science.
(Total 8 marks)
Model Answer
Wundt played a significant role in the emergence of psychology as a science. Wundt established the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology at the University of Leipzig in 1879. This marked a crucial milestone in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. Wundt also developed the method of introspection, which involved individuals reporting their conscious experiences and observations in response to specific stimuli. This method aimed to uncover the underlying structure of the mind and conscious processes. Wundt is also often regarded as the founder of structuralism, which aimed to analyse the basic elements and structures of conscious experience. He believed that by breaking down mental processes into their fundamental components, psychology could uncover the underlying structure of the mind.
A strength of Wundt's establishment of the laboratory is that it provided a dedicated space for conducting controlled experiments and gathering empirical data. It laid the foundation for the scientific study of psychology, emphasizing the importance of rigorous experimentation and systematic observation.
While introspection was a pioneering technique, it faced challenges regarding its reliability and objectivity. Critics argued that introspective reports were subjective and difficult to verify, limiting its scientific value. However, Wundt's focus on systematic observation and data collection paved the way for more refined methods in psychological research.
As well as this, Wundt's emphasis on structuralism influenced early psychological research and encouraged the systematic analysis of mental processes. However, structuralism faced criticism for its reliance on subjective introspection and its neglect of unconscious processes. Nonetheless, Wundt's structuralist approach contributed to the diversification of psychological perspectives and set the stage for future developments.
Discuss Wundt’s role in the emergence of psychology as a science.
(Total 3 marks)
Model Answer
Wundt established the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology at the University of Leipzig in 1879. This marked a significant milestone in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. By providing a dedicated space for conducting controlled experiments and systematic observation, Wundt laid the foundation for the scientific study of psychology.
Millie is asked to do a class presentation on introspection. As part of her presentation she said, ‘Introspection is thinking about our own thoughts.’ After the presentation, her classmates said they had learned very little about introspection.
Explain what else Millie could have said about the major features of introspection so that her classmates would be better informed. ( 4 marks)
Model Answer
Millie could have said that introspection involves much more than simply thinking about our own thoughts. She could have said that Introspection requires a systematic and objective approach to observing your own mental processes. It involves observing and analysing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment or bias. The goal is to gain insight into the structure and nature of your conscious experience.
Millie could also have said that Introspection involves breaking down conscious experiences into their constituent elements. It focuses on identifying and analysing the basic components of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. This process helps in understanding how these components combine to form complex mental states.
Describe Wundt’s role in the development of psychology. (6 marks)
Model Answer
Wundt played a significant role in the development of psychology. First, he Founded the First Psychological Laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology at the University of Leipzig in 1879. This marked a crucial milestone in the development of psychology as an independent scientific discipline. The laboratory provided a dedicated space for conducting controlled experiments and empirical research.
Wundt also developed and popularised the method of introspection as a means of studying conscious experience. Introspection involved individuals reporting their thoughts, sensations, and perceptions in response to specific stimuli. Wundt's emphasis on systematic observation and data collection laid the foundation for scientific psychology.
Finally, Wundt advocated for psychology to adopt an experimental approach. He emphasised the importance of using scientific methods, controlled experiments, and objective measurement to study psychological phenomena. Wundt's focus on experimentation helped establish psychology as a legitimate scientific field.
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