Lecture 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Define psychology

A

The scientific study of behaviour and the mind

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2
Q

Define behaviour

A

Directly observable activity (actions, responses, …)

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3
Q

Define mind

A

Internal state and mental processes (thinking, motivation, …)

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4
Q

What are the 4 goals of psychology

A
  1. Describe behaviour and mental processes
  2. Explain/understand causes of behaviour
  3. Predict behaviour
  4. Influence/control behaviour under certain conditions
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5
Q

Define basic research

A

Knowledge for its own sake at a fundamental level

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6
Q

Define applied research

A

Solutions to practical problems. Giving a real world purpose for the fundamental knowledge

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7
Q

Which is done first: Basic research or applied research?

A

It can go either way. It is most common to start with basic research

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8
Q

What are the three primary levels of causal factors addressed in modern psychology

A
  1. Biological factors (at a chemical level)
  2. Psychological factors (at a cognitive level)
  3. Environmental factors (influences)
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9
Q

Define the scientific method

A

Involves systematically gathering and evaluating empirical evidence

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10
Q

Define empirical

A

Gained through experience and observation

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11
Q

What is a benefit to using the scientific method?

A

Helps minimize bias and provides a useful framework that can help solve specific practical problems

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12
Q

Define folk psychology

A

The commonly held beliefs the average person has about people, psychological processes, and behaviour

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13
Q

What method of information gathering does folk psychology rely on?

A

Observation (often it is indirect and draws on anecdotal evidence)

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14
Q

Is folk psychology reliable?

A

Not typically

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15
Q

What are the three common errors of judgement

A
  1. Relying on heuristics
  2. Failing to consider alternate explanations
  3. Confirmation bias
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16
Q

What are heuristics?

A

Mental shortcuts

Ex. Believing that higher price is equal to better quality

17
Q

Define confirmation bias

A

Selectively looking for evidence that confirms your prior believes. Choosing points in an argument that make you right and ignoring the rest

18
Q

Define critical thinking

A

Taking an active role in evaluating the information you’re presented with

19
Q

How effective is the persuasion of neuroimaging

A

It was found that when people see pictures of brain scans in articles it gives them more credibility than the articles that just explain through words