Experimental Psychology 1

Experimental Psychology 1
Experimental psychology uses scientific methods in to study the behavior of organism (including humans) and the
functional aspects of mental processes by manipulating variables. Thus, experimental psychology primarily concerned
with discovering laws and principles that describe manipulable relationships.
Beginning of Experimental psychology
The first references to experimental psychology were made by famous thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle,etc. They couldn't
agree on the basic question of where our humanity comes from. Plato argued from a genetic perspective, claiming that
such aspects are inherent in our biological makeup. He assumed that all was predetermined from the start. Aristotle, on the
other hand, emphasised the importance of nurture in the debate. Humans are sponges, he preached, soaking up knowledge
with and new experience and learning opportunity.
Various research studies have now shown that neuronal spiking activity occurs before a decision is made. This sparked a
firestorm of support for determinism. Many people began proclaiming that if there is neural activity before an action, it
means that the behaviour is irrational. Many people began proclaiming that if neuronal activity occurs before a behaviour,
then all acts are predetermined. All of the philosophical questions are still relevant today, and experimental psychology
uses a variety of approaches to try to address them. It accomplishes this by examining the problem from different angles.
Leipzig, Germany, was the birthplace of psychology as a discipline. Wilhelm Wundt founded his first experimental
laboratory on the grounds of Leipzig University in 1879. Wundt was the one who coined the word "introspection."
After the death of Wundt's laboratory and the waves of functionalism, a new branch of psychology emerged. Researchers
are attempting to find an answer to the question of how consciousness came to be.
The psychodynamic approach, established by Sigmund Freud, places a strong emphasis on the unconscious.
Psychodynamic therapists are interested in the id (the unconscious), impulses, emotions, memories, and dreams. As
compared to other fields of psychology, this one has a poor track record of proving its hypotheses.
One of the most well-known examples of experimental psychology is behaviourism. Behaviorists agree that the only way
to research the mind is through its attitudes and habits, and they make every effort to do so objectively and clearly. The
major names in behaviourism are Ivan Pavlov and B.F. Skinner
The cognitive method gained popularity after behaviourism. It did so because scientists at the time were becoming
increasingly interested in the brain and how it affects our behaviour.
Experimental psychology is a broad subject that includes several different sub-disciplines and areas. It has progressed
significantly from Wundt's first laboratory to the hundreds of thousands of experimental laboratories that exist today
around the world. These laboratories are equipped with modern state-of-the-art equipment and popular technology
methods in an effort to help objectively research the mind and body, as well as their relationship.
To study the human mind and behaviour, experimental psychology employs a variety of techniques. Since the human
mind is so complex, it's a difficult task to investigate the factors that influence how we process knowledge, think, feel, and
act. To study the human mind and behaviour, experimental psychology employs a variety of techniques. Since the human
mind is so complex, it's a difficult task to investigate the factors that influence how we process knowledge, think, feel, and
act.
Methods of experimental Psychology
Experiments
In some cases psychologists conduct experiments to establish a relationship between independent and dependent variables
under the controlled condition. Case Studies Case study allows a researcher to carry out research on a focus group or on
an individual.
In some cases psychologists conduct experiments to establish a relationship between independent and dependent variables
under the controlled condition. Case Studies Case study allows a researcher to carry out research on a focus group or on
an individual.
Correlational Research
Researchers may use correlational studies to look at correlations between various variables. A psychologist might notice,
for example, that when one variable rises, another tends to fall. Although such studies may examine relationships, they
cannot be used to infer causality.
Naturalistic Observation
Researchers may study people in their natural settings using naturalistic observation. This technique is especially useful
when the researchers suspect that the lab environment is having an undue effect on participant behaviour.
Experimental Psychologists work
Experimental psychologists operate in a number of environments, including schools, hospitals, research institutes,
government agencies, and private companies. Some of these experts teach students how to perform experiments, while
others conduct research on cognitive processes, animal behaviour, neuroscience, personality, and a variety of other topics.
Pavlov's Dog Experiment was performed in the 1890s at the Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg, Russia, by Ivan
Pavlov. Pavlov's work with dogs turned out to be one of psychology's most pivotal experiments. His observations on
conditioning spawned an entirely new field of psychology. Classic conditioning is a principle that entails learning to
equate an unconditioned stimulus with a positive outcome.
Dr. Albert Bandura conducted the Bobo Doll Experiment at Stanford University from 1961 to 1963. An experiment was
carried out to show that social imitation, rather than hereditary genetic influences, plays a major role in human behavior.
In 1957, at Stanford University, Leon Festinger and James Carlsmith conducted the Cognitive Dissonance Experiment.
Conflicting perceptions, beliefs, or actions are referred to as cognitive dissonance. This tension causes an underlying sense
of unease, prompting a shift in one of the participants' attitudes, values, or behaviours in order to alleviate or remove the
discomfort and restore equilibrium.
SUMMARY
Today experimental psychology is completely different from its starting phase of development. Beginning of experimental
psychology started with establishment of Laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. Distributing the participants into experimental
and control group many studies were conducted and psychological principles and laws and theories came into existence.
From 1874 to till date many experimental findings have been recorded in psychological literature which helped to
understand the human behaviour.

Experimental Psychology 1

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Experimental Psychology 1

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Experimental Psychology 1

Beginning of Experimental psychology

Methods of experimental Psychology

Experimental Psychologists work

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