This document provides questions and answers to different possible exam questions in the A level AQA Psychology exam for the Approaches section of paper two. The questions range from 2 marks questions to the long 16 marks essay questions, all of which an answer is provided! From these 16 mark answe...
1. Explain what Wundt meant by introspection (3 marks)
Introspection is a process by which an individual can gain knowledge about their mental and
emotional processes. Wundt claimed that mental processes such as memory and perception
can be observed systematically through introspection. For example, by showing an object to
an observer and asking them to describe their inner processes during the observation. This
information can give us an insight into the nature of our mental processes involved in
perception. Wundt did the same thing with his participants by using carefully controlled
stimuli. By doing this, Wundt was able to compare different participant reports in response to
the same stimuli and establish general theories about perception.
One strength of the use of introspection is that it is useful in scientific psychology today. For
example, Griffiths wanted to investigate the thought processes of people who gamble
regularly and those who do not gamble regularly by asking the participants to think aloud
while playing a fruit gambling machine. This is a strength because it told us gamblers use
more irrational verbalisations. Therefore, introspection can help us draw conclusions about
how mental processes affect our behaviour.
However, a criticism of introspection is that Nisbett and Wilson claim it is not accurate
because we have little knowledge of causes and processes underlying our behaviour and
attitudes. Nisbett and Wilson found that the participants in their study were unaware of
factors that influence our behaviour. An example of this is the implicit attitudes study, where
they found that attitudes exist outside our conscious awareness.
2. Define what is meant by the term psychology (2 marks)
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting
behaviour in a given context.
3. Briefly explain the emergence of science (4 marks)
Wundt was the first psychologist to scientifically study the human mind and this was based
on empiricism which is the belief that knowledge comes observation and experience. This
scientific approach is based on two assumptions: all behaviour is being caused
(determinism) and if behaviour is determined, then it should be possible to predict how
human beings would behave in different conditions (predictability). The research for this
must be objective, systematic and replicable so most research is carried out by lab
experiments in order to control extraneous variables establish cause and effect.
, Evaluate Wundt’s contribution to the development of psychology
Wundt introduced Introspection as a way of investigating mental processes. Introspection is
a process by which an individual can gain knowledge about their mental and emotional
processes. Wundt claimed that mental processes such as memory and perception can be
observed systematically through introspection. For example, by showing an object to an
observer and asking them to describe their inner processes during the observation. This
information can give us an insight into the nature of our mental processes involved in
perception. Wundt did the same thing with his participants by using carefully controlled
stimuli. By doing this, Wundt was able to compare different participant reports in response to
the same stimuli and establish general theories about perception.
One strength of the use of introspection is that it is useful in scientific psychology today. For
example, Griffiths wanted to investigate the thought processes of people who gamble
regularly and those who do not gamble regularly by asking the participants to think aloud
while playing a fruit gambling machine. This is a strength because it told us gamblers use
more irrational verbalisations. Therefore, introspection can help us draw conclusions about
how mental processes affect our behaviour.
However, a criticism of introspection is that Nisbett and Wilson claim it is not accurate
because we have little knowledge of causes and processes underlying our behaviour and
attitudes. Nisbett and Wilson found that the participants in their study were unaware of
factors that influence our behaviour. An example of this is the implicit attitudes study, where
they found that attitudes exist outside our conscious awareness.
Outline and evaluate Wundt’s contribution to psychology emerged as a science (16
marks)
Wundt was the first person to call himself a psychologist – he is the father of Psychology. He
believed the human mind could be studied scientifically. His aim was to study the structure of
the human mind and describe the nature of human consciousness. He broke down
behaviours such as sensation and perception into their basic elements. He used the method
of introspection to do this which was a form of self-report, requiring participants to reflect on
their own perception of an object. This information can then help to gain an insight into the
nature of mental processes.
One strength of the use of introspection is that it is useful in scientific psychology today. For
example, Griffiths wanted to investigate the thought processes of people who gamble
regularly and those who do not gamble regularly by asking the participants to think aloud
while playing a fruit gambling machine. This is a strength because it told us gamblers use
more irrational verbalisations. Therefore, introspection can help us draw conclusions about
how mental processes affect our behaviour.
However, a criticism of introspection is that Nisbett and Wilson claim it is not accurate
because we have little knowledge of causes and processes underlying our behaviour and
attitudes. Nisbett and Wilson found that the participants in their study were unaware of
factors that influence our behaviour. An example of this is the implicit attitudes study, where
they found that attitudes exist outside our conscious awareness.
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