Experimental psychology is the work done by those who apply experimental methods to the study of psychology and its underlying processes. It employs both human participants and animal subjects to study sensation, perception, memory, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion and other related topics through controlled experimentation.
Facts
Central QuestionExperimental psychology asks how mental processes and behavior, in humans and animals, can be studied through controlled experimental methods, applying techniques such as manipulated variables, measurement and statistical analysis across topics from sensation to social behavior. 1 Key DebateCritical psychologists associated with the Frankfurt School argue that experimental psychology treats humans as entities independent of the cultural, economic and historical context in which they actually exist, producing what they see as an inaccurate portrait of human nature. 1 Experimental Psychology
Connections
Associated With
Founded the first formal psychology laboratory, generally credited as the founder of experimental psychology.
Includes
Sources
1. Experimental psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening sentence
Experimental psychology is the work done by those who apply experimental methods to psychological study and the underlying processes.
Criticism, Frankfurt school section
Critical psychologists claim that experimental psychology approaches humans as entities independent of the cultural, economic, and historical context in which they exist.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.