Summary Approaches in psychology A-level psychology AQA Y1
38 views 1 purchase
Course
Approaches in psychology
Institution
AQA
Book
The Complete Companions for AQA A Level Psychology 5th Edition
The document provides an in-depth summary of the topic approaches in psychology. There is no extra information, but a concise overview of the topic to provide the essential understanding for top grades.
• Wundt believed all aspects of nature could be studied scientifically included the human mind.
• He paved the way for psychology becoming a science (experimental psychology as preferred method for
studying behaviour)
• Laboratory in Germany--> studied behaviour that can be controlled under experimental conditions.
Aim: Study the structure of the mind
How: Broke down behaviours to basic elements
Conclusion: higher mental processes such as (learning, language and emotions) couldn't be studied in
controlled way BUT could be described using general trends known as cultural psychology.
Referred as a Structuralism--> INTROSPECTION
Introspection
• To look into
• Way in which person gains understanding about own mental/emotional state
• Sufficient training mental process could be looked at systematically--> info used to gain insight
into nature of mental processes
• Participants would be asked to describe mental process when looking/listening at image/sound
and results compared with other participants to come up with general theories when response to
stimuli.
Empiricism--> knowledge comes from observation and experience alone.
All behaviour is caused and can be predicted at different conditions-determinism.
Scientific method-->investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable.
No influence/bias Can be predicted to get same results
Accurate-consideration
of other factors
AO3
Point- Wundt's methods are unreliable
Example- Mental processes are unobservable-lacks reliability to methods as it cannot be replicated by
other researchers.
Link-Doesn't follow scientific method-results subjective.
Point- Not always appropriate to use science
Example-Human behaviour not subject to regularities of natural science so cannot be investigated using
same methods.-unobservable
Link-Psychology uses inference--> data and theories put forward do not have direct link.
Point-Useful in scientific psychology--> to make happiness a measurable phenomenon
Example-Hunter (2003) gave teens a bleeper and told them to record feelings when bleep.
Found that they tended to be unhappy but more happy when focused on challenging tasks.
Approaches Page 1
, Found that they tended to be unhappy but more happy when focused on challenging tasks.
Link-So introspection helps us to understand the conditions that affect happiness so can be used to
improve our lives.
Point-Methods were scientific.
Example-His methods were systematic and well-controlled-->in a controlled environment. (to ensure
extraneous variables were not a factor). +standardised so can be replicated.
Link-This suggests that Wundt's work is scientific and a forerunner to later scientific approaches in
psychology.
Approaches Page 2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller studyhelp12. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.76. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
