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Replication and Pedagogy in the History of Psychology V: The Metronome and Wilhelm Wundt’s Search for the Components of Consciousness

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Abstract

Wilhelm Wundt (1832–1920) believed that consciousness was represented by the interconnection of psychical processes comprised of temporal elements and compounds. To explore these processes, Wundt used a metronome to measure the amount of information that passed into consciousness across time. The current project replicated some of his procedures, to better understand the role of introspection and the complexity of the metronome task for experimenters and observers. The results of the replication were mixed, but the replication helped provide insights into Wundt’s procedures and their relationship to his theories.

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Correspondence to Christopher Ayala.

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This study originated as a class assignment in the Spring of 2004 (see Tweney, this issue).

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Ayala, C., Borawski, S. & Miller, J. Replication and Pedagogy in the History of Psychology V: The Metronome and Wilhelm Wundt’s Search for the Components of Consciousness. Sci & Educ 17, 525–535 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-007-9107-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-007-9107-5

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