The Science of Psychology (ch 1)

Question 1

what is psychological science

Answer 1

study of thoughts, feelings, and behavior

Question 2

mental activity

Answer 2

result of biochemical processes within the brain

Question 3

behavior

Answer 3

totality of observable human actions

Question 4

Confirmation bias

Answer 4

people are inclined to overweigh evidence that supports their beliefs and tend to downplay evidence that does not match what they believe

Question 5

Illusory correlation

Answer 5

seeing a causal relationship that does not exist

Question 6

hindsight bias

Answer 6

give a false sense of certainty about our ability to make predictions about future behavior

Question 7

heuristics

Answer 7

produce a reasonably good decision without too much effort (system 1/system 2 thinking)

Question 8

culture

Answer 8

beliefs, values, rules, norms, and customs, that exist within a group of people who share a common language and environment

Question 9

nature/nurture

Answer 9

arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through education, experience, and culture

Question 10

stream of consciousness

Answer 10

phrase by William James to describe each persons continuous series for ever-changing thoughts

Question 11

natural selection

Answer 11

evolutionary theory, idea that those who inherit characteristics that help them adapt to their particular environment have a selective advantage over those who do not

Question 12

epigenetics

Answer 12

the study of biological or environmental influences on gene expression that are not part of inherited genes