Psychology Chapter 1

Na�ve realism

the belief that we see the world exactly as it is

Scientific Theory

an explanation for a large number of finding in the national world

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Confirmation Bias

the tendency to seek out evidence thats supports and deny, dismiss, or distort evidence that contradicts them

Belief Perseverance

the tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence contradicts them

Metaphysical Claim

assertion about the world that is not testable

Scientific Skepticism

evaluate claims with an open mind, but insist on persuasive evidence before accepting them

Critical Thinking

a set of skills for evaluating all claims in an open-minded and careful fashion

6 Principles of Critical Thinking

Ruling out rival hypotheses
correlation vs. causation
falsifiabilty
replicability
extraordinary claims
occam's razor

Ruling Our Rival Hypotheses

need to make sure that there are not other good explanations for a finding

Correlation vs. Causation

just because two things are associated with one another doesn't mean one is causing the other

Falsifiability

can the claim be disproven?

Replicability

can the results be duplicated consistently in other studies

Extraordinary Claims

requires extraordinary evidence
is the evidence as convincing as the claims?

Occam's Razor

Does a simpler explanation fit the data as well?
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Structuralism

Wilhelm Wundt & E.B. Titchener
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind.
METHOD: introspection
LASTING INFLUENCE: systematic observation
PROBLEMS: subjective, imageless thought

Functionalism

William James & Charles Darwin
understand the functions or adaptive purposes of thoughts, feelings and behaviors
NATURAL SELECTION: emphasized that physical and behavioral characteristics evolved because they increases the chances of their survival and re

Behaviorism

John B. Watson & B.F. Skinner
focuses on uncovering the general laws of learning by looking at observable behavior
LASTING INFLUENCE: objective research

Cognitivism

Jean Piaget
thinking is central to understanding behavior
cognitive neuroscience: examines relationship between brain functioning and thinking
LASTING INFLUENCE: language, problem solving, intelligence and psychotherapy

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud
focuses on internal psychological processes of which were unaware of
-unconscious

Basic Research

research examining how the mind works

Applied Research

research examining how we can use basic research to solve real-world problems

2 Great Debates of Psychology

-nature vs. nurture
-the free will-determinism debate

Na�ve realism

the belief that we see the world exactly as it is

Scientific Theory

an explanation for a large number of finding in the national world

Hypothesis

A testable prediction, often implied by a theory

Confirmation Bias

the tendency to seek out evidence thats supports and deny, dismiss, or distort evidence that contradicts them

Belief Perseverance

the tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence contradicts them

Metaphysical Claim

assertion about the world that is not testable

Scientific Skepticism

evaluate claims with an open mind, but insist on persuasive evidence before accepting them

Critical Thinking

a set of skills for evaluating all claims in an open-minded and careful fashion

6 Principles of Critical Thinking

Ruling out rival hypotheses
correlation vs. causation
falsifiabilty
replicability
extraordinary claims
occam's razor

Ruling Our Rival Hypotheses

need to make sure that there are not other good explanations for a finding

Correlation vs. Causation

just because two things are associated with one another doesn't mean one is causing the other

Falsifiability

can the claim be disproven?

Replicability

can the results be duplicated consistently in other studies

Extraordinary Claims

requires extraordinary evidence
is the evidence as convincing as the claims?

Occam's Razor

Does a simpler explanation fit the data as well?
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)

Structuralism

Wilhelm Wundt & E.B. Titchener
An early school of psychology that used introspection to explore the elemental structure of the human mind.
METHOD: introspection
LASTING INFLUENCE: systematic observation
PROBLEMS: subjective, imageless thought

Functionalism

William James & Charles Darwin
understand the functions or adaptive purposes of thoughts, feelings and behaviors
NATURAL SELECTION: emphasized that physical and behavioral characteristics evolved because they increases the chances of their survival and re

Behaviorism

John B. Watson & B.F. Skinner
focuses on uncovering the general laws of learning by looking at observable behavior
LASTING INFLUENCE: objective research

Cognitivism

Jean Piaget
thinking is central to understanding behavior
cognitive neuroscience: examines relationship between brain functioning and thinking
LASTING INFLUENCE: language, problem solving, intelligence and psychotherapy

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud
focuses on internal psychological processes of which were unaware of
-unconscious

Basic Research

research examining how the mind works

Applied Research

research examining how we can use basic research to solve real-world problems

2 Great Debates of Psychology

=-nature vs. nurture
-the Free will-determinism debate