1. Describe and evaluate Wundt’s role on the development of psychology (16 marks)
Wilhelm established the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany the aim was to describe the nature of the human
mind in a carefully controlled and scientific environment – a lab. Wundt established introspection which is the first
experimental attempt to study the mind, it is used to gain an insight into the mind. Introspection marked the
beginning of scientific psychology separating it from philosophical roots and is used to observe mental processes
systematically. For introspection the same standardised instructions were given to all participants and stimuli were
presented in same order. Introspection led to identifying the structure of consciousness by breaking it up into the
basic structures: thoughts, images and sensation. Psychology has since developed, with Early behaviourists such as
Watson rejected introspection as he argued that it was subjective as it’s influenced by a personal perspective.
Behaviourists believe that psychology should only be observed and measured. The behaviourist scientific approach
dominated psychology as it focused on learning and the use of controlled lab studies, underpinning drawn
from Wundt’s initial methods. More recently, Cognitive psychologists compared the mind to a computer and tested
their predictions about internal mental processes using experiments, further maintaining the standardised
methods, promoted by Wundt. Biological approach introduced technological advances to record brain activities by
using brain scans such as MRIs. The development of new research relies on a constant scientific
cycle. Wundt established Psychology as a science by initiating the use of this scientific method and
introspection. His ideas lead to multiple different psychological perspectives since his initial investigations, in his lab
in Germany. Wundt didn’t create the scientific cycle but encouraged people to use it.
A weakness of Wundt’s role in the development of Psychology is that the data collected from participants may not
be accurate. This is because the qualitative data collected relied on participants self-reporting their mental
processes. This is problematic as not only is the data subjective but it also could be misleading, as participants may
have hidden some of their thoughts due to them being conscious of reporting private information to Wundt and
therefore withholding key thought patterns within Wundt’s experiments; Therefore, making it difficult to establish
meaningful ‘laws of behaviour. However, some may argue that data collected through self-report from participants
would be specific and rich in detail considering the participants are asked directly. Despite this, some of Wundt’s
early effort to study the mind were flawed and would not meet the criteria of scientific enquiry. Wundt’s
experiments as a result lacked in reliability and validity, causing us to question the extent of his role on Psychology
developing as a science.
A strength of Wundt’s role on the development of psychology is that the basis of introspection is still used in
psychology today to research into human behaviour. This could be due to the fact he was the first to approach the
mind in a psychological manner rather than a philosophical one. This is a strength as it meant he could now
approach studying the mind in a more structured and controlled way. On the contrary, there was a weakness in this
as not much was known about psychology during this time so it was not guaranteed his experiment would give a
valid conclusion. However, this is still a strength as it was the first real step into psychology which shows that
Wundt was influential in the development of psychology.
A strength of Wundt’s introspection method was that his research was done in carefully controlled conditions. He
used the same experimental methods with each participant to ensure his results were as accurate as possible. He
followed a process called structuralism which meant the stimuli was presented to participants in the same order
and they were given the same instructions. This is a strength as it helped to standardise his investigation and give it
validity. This contributed to the development of psychology as other psychologists have followed the same
approach with their own research. On the contrary, Introspection itself is not very scientific despite the fact the
conditions it’s taken place in are. This also means although the conditions are carefully controlled, the results are
subjective as they can only be objectively measured. Despite this, it is still a strength as it outlined how the
conditions of an experiment should be managed in order to gain the best results. This shows Wundt had an impact
in the development of psychology as he was the first to create these conditions.
, Behaviourist Approach- 1st of 6
Behaviourists emerged after Wundt’s work on introspection; they rejected the process of introspection due to its
subjectiveness and hence lack of validity and scientific rigour. The behaviourist approach assumes that: humans
and animals govern similar learning process; and that only observable behaviour should be measured. Classical
conditioning is one of the learning theories in behaviourism and involves repeated paring of a unconditioned
stimulus with a neutral stimulus to produce a conditioned response. This is seen in Pavlov’s research using dogs-
The dog’s food (unconditioned stimulus) produced an unconditioned response of salivation. The food was paired
with a bell (neutral stimulus) to the point where the dog salivated (now a conditioned response) at the sound of the
bell (conditioned stimulus) hence associating the two.
Operant conditioning is the second learning theory supported by Skinner’s rat and pigeon experiments. This
involved the use of positive reinforcement (reward given causing behaviour to repeat) for example in a prison
environment this could be privileges; negative reinforcement (when something unpleasant Is taken out) lessened
days spent in prison; and punishment where behaviour stops for example in a prison environment, punishment
would be solitary confinement.
Point Evidence Evaluation- Counter Conclusion 1 Conclusion
Argument
STRENGHT: This meant they were The approach is psychology as a whole. For instance, Findings ar
Scientific repeatable, and therefore reductionist- Oversimplified while investigating classical protected
credibility could be proven in the learning process by conditioning, Watson deliberately gave from the
Focused on the subsequent studies (for reducing basic and complex Little Albert (an infant) a severe phobia impact of
measurement of example, the Pavlov’s Dog behaviours to stimulus of rats. Albert also was not debriefed extraneous
observable investigation was followed response components and after the research, causing significant variables
behaviour within by Watson & Raynor’s Little ignoring human thought- an trauma. without
Highly Controlled Albert investigation). important influence in which caus
Lab settings. learning. Therefore many Despite this the approaches scientific and effect
aspects of human behaviour credibility is a strength and increases would be
cannot be studied. the validity of the behaviourist harder to
approach due to its supporting establish.
Some psychologists may evidence (e.g., of behaviour measured
argue that the experiments objectively within the Little Albert case)
were highly unethical, and and Emphasises the importance of
so should not be repeated, scientific processes such as objectivity
nor be allowed to represent and replication
STRENGHT: Allyon and Azrin’s (1968) Despite this this is still a strength Therefore,
A strength of the study of the effect of a because, Operant conditioning has this approa
behaviourist token economy on also proven an effective way of is high in
approach is it psychiatric patients found modifying behaviour amongst external
applicability to that positive reinforcement people who may be difficult to validity to a
real-life. led to a significant increase extent.
teach in other ways (e.g. autistic
in the number of target
behaviours (e.g., making children) and many people with
beds, eating meals) that problems like phobia have
patients produced. These benefitted significantly from
Token economy- systems behaviour therapies including
have been used successfully systematic desensitization.
in institutions such as
prisons, schools, and
, psychiatric wards.
WEAKNESS- Behaviourists believed that However, some may argue Furthermore, some argue that findings Therefore,
the learning processes in that Using nonhuman from this decrea
a weakness of humans and animals animals in research gives animal experiments are not the validity
the behaviourist are very similar; experimenters more control generalizable to human the
approach is its consequently, Pavlov over the process, without behaviour: Skinner’s operant behaviouris
over reliance on conducted research demand characteristics or conditioning theory may approach in
animal research using dogs, and Skinner individual differences provide an understanding of rat explain
used rats and pigeons when influencing findings behaviour, but little about human
explaining the likelihood of human behaviour. From this behaviour
behaviours being repeated perspective, behaviourists have
through different arguably made a limited contribution to
reinforcements and explaining human
punishment. behaviour, as the biology, experiences,
and capabilities of
different species are extremely
different.
, Social Learning Theory -2nd of 6
A01: Social Learning Theory (SLT) was proposed by Albert Bandura as a development of the Behaviourist
approach. It explains behaviour with direct and indirect learning, combing learning theory with cognitive
factors e.g., attention, thoughts, emotions. Mediational processes play a key role in learning, they are:
attention; which is the extent to which we notice a certain behaviour, retention; which is how well a
behaviour is remembered, motor reproduction; which is the ability of the observer to perform a
behaviour, and motivation; which is the will to perform a behaviour. It assumes that behaviour is earnt
through other people, it involves: identification, imitation and reinforcement of other people, it can be
learnt directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly. People, especially children,
are more likely to imitate someone else if they identify with them, which is known as a role model,
imitation of a role model is called modelling. Vicarious reinforcement also plays a key role in imitation, it
is positive reinforcement through other people, e.g. you see someone in your class get praised by the
teacher by being given a house point for handing in their work in early, you want to be given the same
praise, so next time you hand in your work early.
Point: STRENGHT: Evidence Evaluation- Conclusion 1 Conclusion 2
Recognises the Counter
importance of cognitive
factors unlike the BA Argument
A strength of social therefore ignoring cognitive On the other hand, However, social Therefore, enhancing the
learning theory is that it factors such as human it could be argued learning theory validity of social learning
recognises other factors emotion. Whereas, social that social learningdoes take into theory.
contributing to learning, learning theory takes these theory ignores account more
unlike the behaviourist into account, this is shown biological factors, factors than other
approach. The through Bandura’s for example approaches, such
behaviourist approach mediational processes research has as the behaviourist
assumes that all (attention, retention, motor shown that approach,
behaviour is reproduction and observational Moreover the role
conditioned, done motivation), it takes into learning could be of mediational
through classical and account cognitive factors to do with mirror processes also
operant conditioning, such as attention, thinking neurones which makes this
and motivation, therefore help us to approach less
increasing the validity of the empathize and deterministic-
theory. therefore imitate there is some free
others. will in whether or
not an individual
chooses to
identify/
reciprocate
behaviour
Strength: Application to This is because the boys paid It could be argued Despite this it has therefore, this adds
real life attention and noticed that it isn’t just the been successfully validity to the social
Another strength of behaviours of characters in media, and used in the media learning theory
social learning theory is the film, they retained this therefore social to reduce negative
that it can be applied to as they continued to watch learning theory, impacts on society.
aggressive behaviours in this behaviour throughout that has an effect As this is the
the real world. For the film, they then imitated on people, it could reason why there
example, in the 1990s, a the behaviour of the be personal are ago restrictions
man was murdered by character, which they were characteristics and on violent and
two 10-year-old boys, more motivated to do so as past experiences. mature films so
many accused the film the character in the film got that young people
‘Child’s Play 3’ for no punishment for their are not excessively
influencing the boys and actions. influenced by
there were calls for characters in films
