Final answer:
Wilhelm Wundt focused on understanding the structure or characteristics of the mind through a process called introspection. He established psychology as a distinct scientific discipline and contributed to the development of structuralism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wilhelm Wundt, considered to be the first psychologist, focused on understanding the structure or characteristics of the mind. He believed that psychology should be a scientific study of conscious experience, and his approach involved breaking down the components of consciousness through a process called introspection. Wundt conducted experiments in his psychology laboratory, measuring reaction times and using instruments to study consciousness.
Wundt's perspective, known as structuralism, aimed to comprehend cognitive experience by analyzing its component parts. Another key figure in the development of psychology, William James, supported a different approach called functionalism, which focused on how mental activities adapt to the environment. Both Wundt and James were influential in establishing psychology as a distinct scientific discipline.