Chapter 1 - Adjusting to Modern Life Flashcards
What is the paradox of progress?
Modern technology has provided us with an abundance of time saving devices yet we complain about not having enough time
What is the cost of having a greater available range of life choices?
Too many choices creates mental dilemmas, creating stress
What is the cost of modern technology providing us with more control of the world than before?
This creates a negative impact on the environment
What are we not, despite progress?
Healthier or happier
Of a total four explanations, what is the first explanation for this fact?
Traditional sources of emotional security, such as family, community, and religion have been lost
What is the second explanation?
We are overwhelmed by rapid cultural change
What is the third explanation?
Mental demands of modern life have become too complex
What is the fourth explanation?
Excessive materialism has weakened social ties, makes us insecure, and undermines our sense of well-being
What is the greatest challenge in modern life?
The search for meaning in life or a sense of direction
What do people do in desperation to find a sense of direction?
Turn to many ineffective and/or self-destructive sources for enlightenment (e.g. radio personalities, cults)
What is the most prominent source of information of the meaning of life or a sense of direction?
Self-help books
What are some ways in which self-help books are not effective (first way)?
Their message is too vague to be useful
What is the second way?
They are not based on solid, scientific research
What is the third way?
They don’t provide explicit directions for changing behaviour
What is the fourth way?
They encourage a narcissistic (self-centred) approach to life
What are the 6 things to look for in a good self-help book (1)?
Clarity in communication
(2):
Books that are realistic, that don’t promise too much change too soon
(3):
Books by authors with good credentials
(4):
Books with theoretical or research basis
(5):
Books that provide detailed, explicit directions about how to alter your behaviour
(6):
Books that focus on a particular kind of problem or behaviour
What are the four approaches of this textbook (1)?
This text is based on the premise that accurate knowledge about the principles of psychology can be of value to you in everyday life
(2):
This text attempts to foster a critical attitude about psychological issues and to enhance your critical thinking skills
(3):
This text should open doors
(4):
This text assumes that the key to effective adjustment is to take charge of your own life
What are the two facets of psychology (1)?
The science that studies behaviour and the physiological and mental processes that underlie it
(2)
The profession that applied the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems
What is “behaviour” considered?
An overt (observable) response
What is meant by the term adjustment?
The psychological processes through which people manage or cope with the demands and challenges of everyday life
What is empiricism?
The premise that knowledge should be acquired through observation
What are the conclusions of scientific psychology based on, with the idea of empiricism?
Careful, systemic observation rather than speculation or common sense
What are the two advantages of the scientific approach to behaviour (1)?
Clarity and precision - empiricism demands that scientists state exactly what they are referring to in their hypothesis
(2)
Relative intolerance for error - scientists ideas are subjected to empirical tests, their ideas and research are scrutinized by other scientists
What is an experiment?
A research method in which the investigator manipulates one (independent) variable under carefully controlled conditions, and observes whether any changes occur in a second (dependent) variable as a result
What is an independent variable?
A condition or event that an experimenter varies in order to see its impact on another variable - or the variable the researcher manipulates in the experiment
What is a dependent variable?
The variable that is thought to be affected by the manipulations of the independent variable - usually a measurement of behaviour
What is the experimental group?
Consists of subjects who receive some special treatment in regard to the independent variable
What is the control group?
Consists of similar subjects who do not receive the special treatment given to the experimental group
What occurred in Schacter’s study?
The experimental group was told the shocks will be painful, to initiate anxiety while the control group was told the choose would not be painful. Desire to affiliate was tested between these groups
How is cause and effect determined in experiments?
If the experimental and control groups are alike in every way except for the treatment from the independent variable AND if a difference in the dependent variable is found THEN the difference in their response must be due to the independent variable