Hence, even in the domain of natural science the aid of the experimental method becomes indispensable whenever the problem set is the analysis of transient and impermanent phenomena, and not merely the observation of persistent and relatively constant objects.

Wilhelm Wundt

Categorized in : Science Analysis Psychology

The task of physiological psychology remains the same in the analysis of ideas that it was in the investigation of sensations: to act as mediator between the neighbouring sciences of physiology and psychology.

Wilhelm Wundt

medicine philosophy ideas

The results of ethnic psychology constitute, at the same time, our chief source of information regarding the general psychology of the complex mental processes.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology information time

From the standpoint of observation, then, we must regard it as a highly probable hypothesis that the beginnings of the mental life date from as far back as the beginnings of life at large.

Wilhelm Wundt

hypothesis mind science

We speak of virtue, honour, reason; but our thought does not translate any one of these concepts into a substance.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology substance doe

Physiology and psychology cover, between them, the field of vital phenomena; they deal with the facts of life at large, and in particular with the facts of human life.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology fields life

The distinguishing characteristics of mind are of a subjective sort; we know them only from the contents of our own consciousness.

Wilhelm Wundt

subjectivity psychology mind

Physiology seeks to derive the processes in our own nervous system from general physical forces, without considering whether these processes are or are not accompanied by processes of consciousness.

Wilhelm Wundt

nervous consciousness process

Psychology must not only strive to become a useful basis for the other mental sciences, but it must also turn again and again to the historical sciences, in order to obtain an understanding for the more highly developed metal processes.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology understanding order

Philosophical reflection could not leave the relation of mind and spirit in the obscurity which had satisfied the needs of the naive consciousness.

Wilhelm Wundt

philosophical psychology reflection

The animal kingdom exhibits a series of mental developments which may be regarded as antecedents to the mental development of man, for the mental life of animals shows itself to be throughout, in its elements and in the general laws governing the combination of the elements, the same as the mental life of man.

Wilhelm Wundt

animal men science

The old metaphysical prejudice that man 'always thinks' has not yet entirely disappeared. I am myself inclined to hold that man really thinks very little and very seldom.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology men thinking

The materialistic point of view in psychology can claim, at best, only the value of an heuristic hypothesis.

Wilhelm Wundt

heuristics psychology views

There are other sources of psychological knowledge, which become accessible at the very point where the experimental method fails us.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology failing psychological

Physiological psychology, on the other hand, is competent to investigate the relations that hold between the processes of the physical and those of the mental life.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology life hands

We know, from ordinary life, that we are not able to direct our attention perfectly steadily and uniformly to one and the same object... At times the attention turns towards the object most intensely, and at times the energy flags.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology energy ordinary

Now, there are a very large number of bodily movements, having their source in our nervous system, that do not possess the character of conscious actions.

Wilhelm Wundt

movement numbers character

Experimental psychology itself has, it is true, now and again suffered relapse into a metaphysical treatment of its problems.

Wilhelm Wundt

metaphysical psychology problem

Physiological psychology is, therefore, first of all psychology.

Wilhelm Wundt

physiological psychology firsts

Our mind is so fortunately equipped, that it brings us the most important bases for our thoughts without our having the least knowledge of this work of elaboration. Only the results of it become unconscious.

Wilhelm Wundt

important mind science

Hence, wherever we meet with vital phenomena that present the two aspects, physical and psychical there naturally arises a question as to the relations in which these aspects stand to each other.

Wilhelm Wundt

psychology arise two