Chapter 1 and 2 Flashcards
(95 cards)
What is introspection and who invented it?
William Wundt, who is credited with launching psychology as a lab science, used techniques such as introspection; observing something and reflecting on mental experiences.
Example: an introspectionist might ask a participant to look at an apple and report everything they saw.
What is structuralism, who founded it, what were its major problems, and what was its lasting scientific influence?
Structuralism was founded by Edward Bradford Titchener (E.B. Titchener). It aimed to use introspection to identify elements/structures of psychological experience, or consciousness, which structuralists believed consisted of sensations, images, and feelings. Structuralism’s major problems were that it did not align with the element of unconscious thought and introspectionists(observers) often disagreed on their reporting. Structuralists were wrong to believe that introspection was enough to complete psychology as a science. Its lasting scientific influence was highlighting the importance of introspection, or systematic observation as an aspect of psychology.
What is functionalism, who founded it, and who heavily influenced it?
Functionalism’s goal was to figure out the evolutionary/adaptive purpose of psychological characteristics like thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It was founded by William James and heavily influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. James rejected structuralism and instead of asking what consciousnesses is, functionalists asked why we were conscious.
What is behaviourism, who founded it, why is it called black box psychology, and what were its lasting effects on psychology as a science?
Behaviourism is the study of human and animal behaviour. It was founded by John B. Watson and it aimed to uncover general laws of learning, which Watson and his followers theorised would explain all behaviours. Behaviourism is called black box psychology because it didn’t aim to look inside the processes of the mind, just at the external factors (rewards and punishments) that motivated behaviour, as though the mind was just a black box that took surrounding factors and produced behaviours. Behaviourism solidified psychology as an objective science.
What is cognitivism, who influenced it?
Cognitivism is the study of the processes of the mind. Psychologists disagreed with behaviourism, arguing that thinking isn’t just another behaviour; it affects our behaviour. Cognitive psychologists don’t just focus on the rewards and punishments, they also focus on the person’s interpretation of them. It was influenced by Jean Piaget and Ulric Neisser.
What is psychoanalysis and who founded it?
Psychoanalysis focused on unconscious mental processes and urges as causes of behaviour. It was the start of psychotherapy (talk therapy) which we still use today. It was founded by Sigmund Freud.
What is naive realism?
The false belief that we see the world exactly as it is. It can lead us to having false beliefs, ex. our memories are always accurate.
What is confirmation bias and belief perseverance and how can you prevent it?
Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek out evidence that confirms your hypothesis and ignore evidence that contradicts it. Belief perseverance is the tendency to still believe a false claim even after it has been disproven.
What is reciprocal determinism?
the tendency of people to mutually influence each other.
What is an emic vs. an etic approach to observation?
An emic approach is studying a culture or group with the perspective of someone in the culture, while an etic approach is studying a culture or a group with the perspective of an outsider.
What is psychology?
The study of the mind, brain, and behaviour.
What are the rungs of psychology?
Social/behavioural (highest), mental/psychological, neurochemical/biological(lowest)
What are the 4 main warning signs of pseudoscience and what do they consist of?
ad hoc immunising hypotheses(loophole or excuse defenders of a theory use to keep it from being disproven), lack of self correction(claims are rarely updated, relies on belief perseverance), over reliance on anecdotes(based on subjective impressions), psychobabble
What is pseudoscience?
Set of claims that seems scientific but isn’t.
What is patternicity?
The tendency to spot patterns in random data when there are none.
What is terror management theory?
The theory that the impending thought of death causes us to cling to comforting beliefs with no scientific proof.
What are the 3 major dangers of pseudoscience?
opportunity cost(people miss out on opportunities to get effective treatment)), direct harm(causing physical or psychological damage), inability to think scientifically as citizens.
What are the12 logical fallacies?
emotional reasoning fallacy, bandwagon fallacy, either-or fallacy, not me fallacy, appeal to authority fallacy, genetic fallacy, argument from antiquity fallacy, argument from adverse consequences fallacy,appeal to ignorance fallacy, naturalistic fallacy, hasty generalisation fallacy, circular reasoning fallacy
Emotional reasoning fallacy
Letting your emotions dictate what you choose to believe.
Bandwagon fallacy
Assuming something is true because alot of people believe it. ex. astrology
Either-or fallacy
Framing a question as though it can be only answered with one of two extreme ways.
Not me fallacy
mistake of thinking oneself is immune from error
Appeal to authority fallacy
assuming something is right because an authority figure endorses it.
Genetic fallacy
Confusing the correctness of a claim with its origins or history
