Lectures 1-3 Flashcards
what do we do when we need an answer to a question?
we make intuitive guesses because our brain recognizes patterns and dislikes any breaks in patterns
what is science in regards to research
a method,, a way of gathering info,, and a way to get answers through observation and research
what is data used for?
data is used to develop theories
how is data collected?
through observation, experiments, and surveys
what is basic research?
conducting research to confirm or deny
example: addiction
- is there an addiction center of the brain, and can you be addicted to your phone. Answered by a simple yes or no question.
what is applied research?
conducting research to generate info that is applicable to real world problems
example: addiction
does addictive behavior affect parenting,, and what is the treatment for addiction?
why do we not answer questions like scientists in real life?
we form opinions based on what we observe
- we have biases and we use a lot of anecdotal evidence
if something satisfies our expectations then usually we…
- call it true
- dont second guess
- dont test it
what is confirmation bias?
we look for instances that will confirm what we already believe
what is the placebo effect?
believing in something can end up making us feel better
“what is actually happening” v. “what do I want to happen”
what are ways that confirmation bias can be avoided?
- doing double blind research
- the experiment administrators have no idea the condition of the subjects,, and they data collectors do not know what they are testing for
what is empirical evidence?
evidence that is supported by numbers
what is the definition of pseudoscience?
products or theories that are presented as science, but would not hold up in a lab
- it is based in nonscientific science
- it can look like science on the surface
- usually is giving support for a product or idea
what are some features or pseudoscience?
- relies on anecdotal evidence
- relies on confirmation rather than disconfirmation (only reports the times that it works)
-avoids scientific review - generalizes to all situations
why is pseudoscience bad?
- it can confuse what science really is
- it spreads misinformation
- it targets those who are desperate (poor and old, etc.)
- it causes more harm than good
what are ways that people “sell” pseudoscience?
-use words like “alternative”, “nontraditional”, and “clinically proven” (buzzwords)
- relies on personal endorsement
- solution for many different problems
why do people fall for pseudoscience?
- these products target people who are vulnerable, desperate, or scared
- sometimes the product tries to make you feel naïve for disagreeing with them
- also people have a hard time distinguishing between real and junk science
what is the difference between junk science and pseudoscience?
junk science has evidence to support it, however that evidence is not always reliable
pseudoscience has nothing to back it up
what are belief bases?
personal beliefs come from upbringing and group consensus
why do we tend to stick so deeply into our belief bases?
we traditionally ignore contradictory evidence from outside groups
examples: superstitions
what is a post-hoc explanation?
(what does science do instead?)
when you search for an explanations after something has happened
(science instead forms hypothesis to explain something before it occurs)
example: last night I went to bed with wet hair and today I am sick,, therefore I must have gotten sick because I went to bed with wet hair
what is belief persistence?
we tend to ignore new information when it conflicts with what we already believe
example: crop circles were though to be caused by supernatural forces, but really there is evidence that people just make them for artistic purposes. However, people still choose to believe that tcrop circles are caused by supernatural forces
what is misattribution?
the misunderstanding of cause
methods of inquiry
- method of authority
- rational method
- the scientific method
