Wilhelm Wundt

One of the pioneers of experimental psychology.

Wundt believed that we must study mental phenomena, but because others can’t directly experience them, they must be observed through {introspection}.

Introspection-based observation has obvious limitations and biases, but Wundt and colleagues tried to overcome this by {carefully training “introspectors”, e.g. to use consistent vocabulary and to avoid interpretation in their reports}.

One big limitation with the introspection-based approach was that {some thoughts are unconscious}; e.g. you can’t {introspect the steps which occur in your mind} when you answer: {“what’s your middle name?”}.

Epistemologically, a key problem with introspection as an experimental method is that {it’s not falsifiable}.


Q. In what period did Wundt pursue experimental psychology?
A. Late 19th century.

References

Cognition - Reisberg (p. 8-9)

Last updated 2023-07-13.