Chapter 1 - Scientific Thinking in Psychology Flashcards
(16 cards)
Ways of Knowing - Authority
Basing our beliefs based on what we’re told by others.
Ways of Knowing - Logic
Basing our beliefs on evaluation of premises.
Ways of Knowing - Experience
Learning through direct observation.
Confirmation Bias
Type of experimental bias. Paying attention to information that supports your belief and ignoring other information.
Belief Perseverance
Type of experimental bias. Holding onto a belief despite evidence that would convince most people that the belief is false. Often motivated by a desire to be certain or “right”.
Availability Heuristic
Type of experimental bias. Overestimating how often specific events occur simply because you have experienced or witnessed the event.
Ways of Knowing - Science
Using the scientific method (or evaluating others’ use of the scientific method).
Ways Science Reduces Error/Bias
- Science asks good (‘empirical’) questions aka questions that can be answered via the scientific method.
- Science makes highly accurate observations.
- Science produces public knowledge.
- Science conclusions are tentative (not certain).
Peer-Review
Results that can and are required to be verified by others.
Replication
Process of repeating an experiment to confirm or deny the results, sometimes multiple times (also sometimes required).
Theories
Predictions about behavior.
Falsification
Theories are never proven, but can be disproven.
Goals of Science
- Describe
- Predict
- Explain
- Apply
Translational Research
The use of research to change people’s lives for the better.
Pseudoscience
Any field that gives the impression of using the scientific method but is actually had inadequate data and/or unscientific methods.
Effort Justification
When people convince themselves that some effort was worthwhile, especially when they have spent a lot of time, effort, or money.
