Chapter 1

Question 1

Scientific Thinking - Ways of Knowing:

Answer 1

1- Authority
2- Logic and Reason
3- Experience and Empericism
4- Science

Question 2

Authority

Answer 2

We accept information from individuals that we believe or judge to be experts.

Question 3

Logic and Reason

Answer 3

-We have a problem and a logical conclusion
-The logic is fine but the conclusion is correct only if both premises are correct.

Question 4

Experience and Empiricism

Answer 4

Acquiring knowledge through direct experience or observation.
-Could be problematic hence our experiences are limited and our interpretation of events could be influenced by social cognitions biases.

Question 5

Examples of Social Cognition Biases:

Answer 5

1-Belief Perseverance: holding onto a belief in the face of contrary information.
2-Confirmation Bias: only seeing the information that confirms your belief and disregarding anything that doesn’t.
3-Availability Heuristic: When we experience an unusual or memorable event and overestimate its frequency.

Question 6

Science

Answer 6

-The most reliable way to develop a belief.
-The greatest advantage is that it’s objective.
-Even though science is objective, scientists can still have biases.

Question 7

Attributes of Science:

Answer 7

1-Statistical Determinism
2-Systematic Observations
3-Objectivity
4-Data-Driven
5-Science asks empirical questions
6-Science produces tentative conclusions

Question 8

Statistical Determinism

Answer 8

All events have causes; events can be predicted but only with a probability greater than chance.

Question 9

Systematic Observations

Answer 9

Close examination of a behavior in an objective way.

Question 10

Objectivity

Answer 10

-Observations can be verified by more than one observer.

Question 11

Data-Driven

Answer 11

Conclusions about the behavior is supported by evidence of objective information that’s gathered systematically.

Question 12

Science Asks Empirical Questions

Answer 12

Questions that are asked through the scientific method and are specific enough to allow for specific predictions.

Question 13

Science Produces Tentative Conclusions

Answer 13

-Science is self-correcting.
-Findings are always subject to change based on future findings/research.

Question 14

Introspection

Answer 14

-Was used in early methods, and is a form of self-report.
-Subjects would perform a task and then describe their conscious experience of that task.

Question 15

Pseudoscience

Answer 15

-Claims about behavior are not based on the scientific method.
-Relies on anecdotal evidence.

Question 16

A Priori Method

Answer 16

The use of reason, and developing consensus among those debating the merits of one belief over another.