Chapter 1 and 2 Flashcards
Psychology definition?
The Scientific study of behaviour of individuals and their mental processes (mind brain behaviour)
Belief Perseverance
Sticking to your belief even when evidence contradicts them. (stubborn on the “hot hand”)
Confirmation Bias
Tendency to seek out evidence that supports our belief and deny evidence that contradicts them
5 Main Challengers of Psychology (HPIPB)
1) Human behaviour is difficult to predict
2) Psychological influences are rarely independent
3) Individual differences among people
4) People influence one another
5) Behaviour is shaped by culture
Scientific Theory
An explanation for a large number of findings in the natural world.
5 Steps of the Scientific Method
1) State the problem (Specific question asked)
2) Develop a hypothesis (Prediction)
3) Design a study (manipulate variables IV and DV)
4) Collect/Analyze Data (summaries)
5) Draw conclusions/Report results (was hypothesis true?)
What is Behaviour?
Observable actions by which an organism adjusts to its environment. (also looks at role of unobservable)
Levels of Analysis
1) Social Culture Influences (Relationships, family)
2) Psychological Influences (thoughts, emotions)
3) Biological Influences (molecules, brain structure)
4 Goals of Psychology (DEPC)
1) Describing what happens
- Behavioural data, levels of analysis, objectivity
2) Explaining what happens
- Examining patterns, synthesis of info
3) Prediction what happens
- Stating likelihood that a certain behaviour will occur
4) Controlling what happens
- Prevention, intervention
Pseudoscience and its 6 signs
> Set of claims that sound scientific but isn’t
1) Exaggerated claims
2) Over-reliance on Anecdotes
3) No connection to other research
4) Lack of peer review
5) Meaningless psychobabble
6) Talk of “proof” over “evidence”.
3 Logical Fallacies in thinking
1) Emotional reasoning fallacy
2) Bandwagon fallacy
3) Not me fallacy
3 Main Dangers of Pseudoscience (ODI)
1) Opportunity Cost (not going to correct solution)
2) Direct Harm (Often physical or mental consequences)
3) Inability to think scientifically (crucial for other views)
6 Principles of Scientific Thinking (RCFREO)
1) Ruling out rival hypothesis
2) Correlation vs Causation
3) Falsifiability
4) Replicability
5) Extraordinary claims
6) Ocam’s Razor (simple over complicated)
Psychology’s Origin (4 people)
1) Socrates- Know thyself
2) Aristotle/Plato- Relationship of mind/body/soul
3) Descartes- Mind > body distinction
4) Locke/Hume- knowledge linked to experiences/sense
Gestalt Psychology
- How elements are organized into wholes
- Whole is > the sum of its parts.
- Max Wertheimer
Functionalism
- Focuses on HOW and WHY the mind functions
- purpose of consciousness > structure
- Broadened beyond observable
- Williams James (wrote principles pf psychology)
- John Dewey (brought to NA)
Structuralism
- “What” of mental behaviour
- Study of the conscious elements of the mind
- Used introspection (experiences thru senses)
- Wilhelm Wundt (developed first psych lab)
- Edward Eichener (brought structuralism to NA)
- James Baldwin (First Canadian lab)
Sigmund Freud Information
- Theories of the unconscious mind
- He believed unconscious mental process directed behaviour
- Used Psychoanalysis: the study of unconscious mind
- Believed that dreams in children were unconscious wishes.
- Believed everyone was sexual from birth (used seduction theory)
- Free association (talking without interruption)
- Transference (explaining thoughts/emotions to someone)
- Defence mechanisms (guide our unconscious)
Behaviourist Perspective
- Founded by John Watson/BF Skinner
- Focused on what is observable (environment determines behaviour)
Humanistic Perspective
- Carl Rogers/Abraham Maslow
- Hierarchy of needs (desire to fulfill ones potential)
Cognitive Perspecitve
-Focused on thinking, memory, perception
Biological Perspective
-Genes, Nervous system
Evolutionary Perspective
- Darwin
- Behaviours are passed onto the next generation
Sociocultural Perspective
-Culture/Society Influences
