Chapter 1- Introduction

Question 1

List and describe the 5 main challenges to psychology – what makes it distinctive?

Answer 1

1. Human behavior is difficult to predict
2. Psychological variables are rarely independent
3. Individual differences among people
4. People influence one another
5. Behavior is shaped by culture

Question 2

What are the 5 main theoretical perspective that shaped psychology?

Answer 2

Structuralism: Insisted on systematic data collection and empiricism

Functionalism: Using evolutionary theory in modern psychology

Behaviorism: Emphasis on learning principles, scientific rigor

Cognitivism: Focus on our interpretation of events.

Psychoanalysis: conceiving mental processes outside of conscious awareness

Question 3

Describe 5 types of psychologists and what they do

Question 4

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?

Answer 4

Scientific theories are how you’re able to text things.

They generate hypotheses.

Question 5

What are the 7 warning signs of pseudoscience?

Question 6

List 6 principles of scientific thinking.

Answer 6

1. Ruling out Rival Hypotheses.
2. Correlation vs. Causation
3. Falsifiability

4.Replicability

5.Extraordinary Claims

6.Occam’s Razor (KISS)

Question 7

Describe the problem with correlational design in contrast to experimental design?

Question 8

Psychology

Answer 8

The scientific study of the mind, brain and behavior

Question 9

Levels of Analysis

Answer 9

Psychological, Biological, and Social, Cultural Influence

Question 10

Multiply Determined

Question 11

Individual Differences

Question 12

Introspection

Question 13

Structuralism

Question 14

Functionalism

Question 15

Natural Selection

Question 16

Behaviorism

Question 17

Cognitive Psychology

Question 18

Cognitive Neuroscience

Question 19

Psychoanalysis

Question 20

Evolutionary Psychology

Question 21

Naive Realism

Answer 21

“Seeing is believing”
Influence of stereotypes and cultural norms.

Question 22

Scientific Theory

Answer 22

An explanation for a large number of findings in the natural world

Question 23

Hypothesis

Answer 23

Testable theory

Question 24

Confirmation Bias

Answer 24

Tendency to seek evidence that supports our hypothesis. Neglecting or distorting contrary evidence

Question 25

Belief Perseverance

Answer 25

Tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence is contradictory

The “don’t confuse me with the facts” bias

Question 26

Metaphysical Claim

Answer 26

Assertions about the world that are not testable- religion or moral values

Question 27

Pseudoscience

Answer 27

Set of claims that seem scientific but lack defenses from bias

Question 28

Ad Hoc Immunizing Hypothesis

Answer 28

Specific type of hypothesis proposed to defend a theory from potential falsification by explaining away contradictory evidence.

Question 29

Patternicity

Answer 29

Tendency to detect meaningful patterns in random (or unrelated) stimuli.

Question 30

Terror Management Theory

Answer 30

We experience anxiety because we are aware that death is inevitable but unpredictable.

To manage this anxiety, we seek worldviews that provide meaning, purpose and continuity.

The theory is tested by manipulating mortality salience (the extent to which death is on our minds).

Question 31

Scientific Skepticism

Answer 31

Keep an open mind to all claims.
Accept claims only after researchers have subjected them to careful scientific tests.

Question 32

Critical Thinking

Answer 32

Aim to evaluate claims open-mindedly and carefully
Not intuitive and requires overcoming biases.

Key to scientific method.

Question 33

Correlation- Causation Fallacy

Question 34

Variable

Answer 34

Anything that can vary

Question 35

Falsifiability

Answer 35

Can the claim be disproven?

Question 36

Risky Prediction

Answer 36

Good theories are sometimes bold and can be proven wrong (risky predictions)

Question 37

Replicability

Answer 37

Is it possible to duplicate scientific findings?

Question 38

Basic Research

Question 39

Applied Research