PSYC 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Wilhelm Wundt, Jean Piaget, Edward B. Titchener

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1000
• Professor: Lisa Giguere

Document Summary

Psychology is about understanding mental processes and behavior using a scientific approach. Asked questions to understand the relationship between body and psyche. Concluded that in order to understand psyche, have to look at its bodily manifestations. Wilhelm wundt added 2 elements to make psyche a science. Relied on introspection and had people report on sensations in reaction to stimuli. Tried to use these reports to build a view of the mind"s structure (structuralism) William james (father of psychology, wrote principles of psychology) Developed functionalism, which focuses on the outcome of mental processes and behavior. Studied thoughts, feelings, behaviors, questioned their function and how they may have helped ancestors. Believed behavior was the only way to derive general principles of psyche. Returned to mental processes, not using introspection approach. Search for causes of mental processes and behavior. Own perceptions of environment, others, and selves are unreliable. Need a systematic approach to study any topic, especially when the topic involves subjective experiences.