Psychology ch. 1
PSY2012 Scientific Thinking
What is the definition of psychology (both definitions given in class)? What is the goal of psychology?
Psychology (broad definition)- the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour.
Psychology- the study of an individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
Goal of psych- use scientific methods to systematically observe, understand, and predict the human experience.
What are four reasons (discussed in class) why psychology can be a complex and challenging subject to study?
Four reasons:
1. Psychological phenomena are multiply determined (caused by many factors, not one simple answer ever)
2. Influences are both internal and external (individual differences, environment)
3. Influences are interrelated (influences create a feedback loop) EX: hotness & social competence
4. We are not objective observers of ourselves, others, or our environment
What is the definition of individual differences? Be able to give at least one example.
Individual differences- variations among people in their thinking, emotion, personality, sand behaviour. EX: introversion v.s. extraversion
What does the “environment” consist of? Be able to given an example of an environmental influence.
Environment- includes parents, peers, neighbourhood, cultural influences, etc. EX: people in south are more friendly than northerners; how far away you stand (social distance)
What are four biases/errors (discussed in class) that can prevent us from being objective observers?
Four reasons:
1. Naïve realism- belief that we see the world precisely as it is (people thought the world was flat)
2. Confirmation bias- tendency to seek out info that supports our beliefs & ignore what goes against them
3. Belief perseverance- once we form a belief, we stick to it even with contradiction EX: firefighter study
4. Illusory correlation- a perception of a relationship between 2 things that doesn’t exist (bad luck on Fri 13th)
What is
What is the definition of psychology (both definitions given in class)? What is the goal of psychology?
Psychology (broad definition)- the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behaviour.
Psychology- the study of an individuals thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
Goal of psych- use scientific methods to systematically observe, understand, and predict the human experience.
What are four reasons (discussed in class) why psychology can be a complex and challenging subject to study?
Four reasons:
1. Psychological phenomena are multiply determined (caused by many factors, not one simple answer ever)
2. Influences are both internal and external (individual differences, environment)
3. Influences are interrelated (influences create a feedback loop) EX: hotness & social competence
4. We are not objective observers of ourselves, others, or our environment
What is the definition of individual differences? Be able to give at least one example.
Individual differences- variations among people in their thinking, emotion, personality, sand behaviour. EX: introversion v.s. extraversion
What does the “environment” consist of? Be able to given an example of an environmental influence.
Environment- includes parents, peers, neighbourhood, cultural influences, etc. EX: people in south are more friendly than northerners; how far away you stand (social distance)
What are four biases/errors (discussed in class) that can prevent us from being objective observers?
Four reasons:
1. Naïve realism- belief that we see the world precisely as it is (people thought the world was flat)
2. Confirmation bias- tendency to seek out info that supports our beliefs & ignore what goes against them
3. Belief perseverance- once we form a belief, we stick to it even with contradiction EX: firefighter study
4. Illusory correlation- a perception of a relationship between 2 things that doesn’t exist (bad luck on Fri 13th)
What is