How and Why answer A is correct and NOT D ?
@Uday Sir, Please explain.

Historical Approach to Psychological Study: Structuralism

Introduction:
The historical approach to psychological study refers to the early perspectives and frameworks that shaped the field of psychology. One of the prominent approaches in the history of psychology is structuralism.

Definition:
Structuralism is a psychological approach that focuses on understanding the structure of consciousness and the basic elements of mental processes. It originated in the late 19th century and was pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt, often referred to as the "father of psychology."

Key Principles:
Structuralism sought to analyze the structure of conscious experience by breaking it down into its fundamental components. It aimed to identify the basic elements of thought and perception, and the relationships between them. Key principles of structuralism include:

1. Introspection: Structuralists believed that the best way to understand the structure of consciousness was through introspection, or self-observation. They conducted experiments in which trained observers reported their own conscious experiences in response to specific stimuli.

2. Elementalism: Structuralists believed that complex mental processes could be broken down into simpler elements. They sought to identify these elemental sensations, feelings, and perceptions and understand how they combined to form more complex experiences.

3. Reductionism: Structuralism aimed to reduce mental experiences to their most basic components. By breaking down experiences into their elemental parts, structuralists believed they could uncover the fundamental building blocks of consciousness.

4. Objective Analysis: Despite relying on introspection, structuralists aimed for objectivity in their analysis of conscious experience. They sought to develop standardized procedures and reliable measures to ensure that their observations were as objective as possible.

Impact and Legacy:
Structuralism had a significant impact on the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. It laid the groundwork for the study of mental processes and influenced subsequent approaches such as functionalism and behaviorism. While structuralism eventually declined in popularity, its emphasis on the scientific study of consciousness paved the way for future advancements in the field.

Conclusion:
In summary, the historical approach to psychological study known as structuralism focused on understanding the structure of consciousness and the basic elements of mental processes. It employed introspection, elementalism, reductionism, and objective analysis to uncover the fundamental components of thought and perception. Although structuralism is no longer the dominant perspective in psychology, its contributions paved the way for the scientific study of the mind and influenced subsequent approaches in the field.