PSYC*2360 Chapter 1: Psychology as a Science

Question 1

What is the availability heuristic?

Answer 1

A mental shortcut for judging the likelihood of something based on how easy it is to think of similar instances

Question 2

What is the representativeness heuristic?

Answer 2

A mental shortcut for determining the likelihood of an event based on how much it represents a “typical” example of it

Question 3

What is the better-than-average effect?

Answer 3

The tendency to overestimate our skills, abilities, and performance when comparing ourselves to others

Question 4

What is one phenomenon that explains the better-than-average effect?

Answer 4

The overconfidence phenomenon

Question 5

What is the overconfidence phenomenon?

Answer 5

The tendency to be overly confident in the correctness of our own judgments

Question 6

What are two types of bias that contribute to the better-than-average effect?

Answer 6

• Hindsight bias
• Confirmation bias

Question 7

What is hindsight bias?

Answer 7

Overestimating the ability to have predicted an outcome beforehand once the results are already known

Question 8

What is confirmation bias?

Answer 8

Only looking for and trusting evidence that confirms what was already believed, strengthening the original belief

Question 9

How does the focusing effect contribute to confirmation bias?

Answer 9

Helps confirm preexisting beliefs, by emphasizing some pieces of information and undervaluing others

Question 10

What is introspection?

Answer 10

Reflecting on one’s own thoughts and experiences

Question 11

What are two drawbacks to introspection?

Answer 11

• the “what you see is all there is phenomenon”
• the pleasure paradox

Question 12

Which phenomenon describes the failure to see the limitations of an immediate experience and the tendency to take things at face value?

Answer 12

The “what you see is all there is phenomenon”

Question 13

What is the pleasure paradox?

Answer 13

When an introspective analysis regarding a positive experience results in it becoming less enjoyable

Question 14

What is belief perseverance?

Answer 14

Maintaining a belief despite encountering contradictory factual information

Question 15

What does the law of small number state?

Answer 15

Extreme outcomes are more likely when considering a small number of cases

Question 16

What are outliers?

Answer 16

A case that is distinct from the majority of other cases

Question 17

T or F: Our own selectivity when acquiring evidence to support or negate a claim is more obvious than the selectivity of others.

Answer 17

False

Question 18

T or F: Evidence suggests that those who think about scientific research behave more ethically and are more likely to help others than those who do not.

Answer 18

True

Question 19

What are the six characteristics of a good scientist?

Answer 19

SCOOCE:
- Skepticism
- Creativity
- Open-mindedness
- Objectivity
- Communication
- Empiricism

Question 20

What is the main factor that differentiates science from other disciplines like philosophy and theology?

Answer 20

Empirical reasoning

Question 21

What is the main difference between empirical research and non-empirical research?

Answer 21

• Empirical research: Uses systematic methods to gain knowledge
• Non-empirical research: Uses non-systematic methods to gain knowledge

Question 22

Which common goal of science is achieved by sharing research?

Answer 22

The goal to serve the common good

Question 23

What is basic research dedicated to?

Answer 23

Expanding the existing knowledge on a topic

Question 24

How is basic research often accomplished?

Answer 24

By developing theories to explain phenomena

Question 25

Which type of research often serves as the foundation for applied research?

Answer 25

Basic research

Question 26

What is applied research dedicated to?

Answer 26

Solving a problem, and/or examining the real-world implications of a theory

Question 27

T or F: Research should be viewed as simply being "basic" or "applied."

Answer 27

False

Question 28

What is science denialism?

Answer 28

The stubborn refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of established scientific findings

Question 29

What are the five key strategies used by science denialists?

Answer 29

FLICC: - Fake experts - Logical fallacies - Impossible expectations - Cherry-picking - Conspiracy theories

Question 30

What are logical fallacies?

Answer 30

Arguments that use errors in reasoning

Question 31

What are people doing when they conjure a secret scheme to explain straightforward findings?

Answer 31

Creating conspiracy theories

Question 32

What is the best way to confront science denialism?

Answer 32

Identifying the rhetorical techniques and using facts to refute claims

Question 33

What term is used to refer to claims/beliefs that are misinterpreted as being derived from the use of the scientific method?

Answer 33

Pseudoscience

Question 34

What are three situations in which people are more likely to accept pseudoscientific claims?

Answer 34

- When they are accompanied by numerical support - When they are promoted using terms or jargon such as "new scientific breakthrough" - When they feature individuals associated with important-sounding schools or professions

Question 35

What are three things to consider when evaluating claims?

Answer 35

- The source - The claim itself - The information

Question 36

What is "truthiness"?

Answer 36

The tendency to believe something is the truth simply because it "feels right" or "makes sense" without really considering the supporting evidence

Question 37

What is the illusory truth effect?

Answer 37

The tendency to believe information more if it has been previously encountered

Question 38

How does processing fluency contribute to/explain the illusory truth effect?

Answer 38

The ease with which information is processed is used as a cue to infer validity

Question 39

What is the difference between the incremental view of intelligence and entity view of intelligence?

Answer 39

- Incremental: Intelligence is malleable and can be developed - Entity: Intelligence is fixed and unchangeable

Question 40

Does overconfidence appear to be most common in those with an incremental or entity view of intelligence?

Answer 40

Entity view of intelligence

Question 41

Which method of study employs rules for systematic analysis that help avoid nature flaws in thinking?

Answer 41

The scientific method