Lecture 1 and 2 Flashcards
What is Pseudoscience? How is it different from science?
A. Pseudoscience follows the scientific method, while science does not.
B. Science is based on testable and falsifiable evidence, while pseudoscience relies on untestable claims and anecdotal evidence.
C. Pseudoscience uses experiments, but science does not require experiments.
D. Both pseudoscience and science make use of peer-reviewed publications.
B. Science is based on testable and falsifiable evidence, while pseudoscience relies on untestable claims and anecdotal evidence.
What are some signs of Pseudoscience? (5)
Exaggerated claims: “too good to be true”
Over Reliance on anecdotes: relying on stories from other people (not actual research)
Lack of external peer review: findings not reviewed by unbiased experts
Proof rather than evidence: saying something without actually showing it (ex Trust us, this really works!)
Psychobabble: Using fancy terms that mean nothing.
What are some dangers of pseudoscience? Which of the following are dangers of pseudoscience? Select all that apply.
A. Erosion of trust in legitimate science
B. Opportunity cost, where people give up something important for pseudoscientific alternatives
C. Enhanced credibility of scientific methods
D. Real harm caused to individuals
E. Increased reliance on evidence-based practices
A, B, D
How can we protect ourselves from pseudoscience?
Rival Hypotheses: are there alternative explanations for what we observe
Correlation and causation: just because two things are related to each other, it doesn’t mean they cause each other.
Falsifiability: science allows for our ideas to be tested and to be proven wrong.
Replicability: the study must be able to be replicated from the evidence.
Extraordinary claims: compelling evidence for a compelling statement
Parsimony/Occam’s Razor: (not as reliable) sometimes the simple answer is best.
Why do we “believe” in pseudoscience?
Sunk cost: “sinking” into something because you already invested
Confirmation bias: you want evidence to believe
Dunning-Kruger effect: the less you know, the more likely you think you’re an expert
What is structuralism and its limitations?
Basic elements of consciousness (think of periodic table). Taking simple tasks to group and make each describe in detail
Limitations: Subjectivity (individual differences), not enough to describe mental experiences.
What is functionalism and its limitations? How does it relate the the theory of evolution?
Functionalism is why we have the experiences that we do.
Limitations: does not explain how different brain processes produce the same function.
Relation to the theory of evolution: Different experiences lead to different outcomes.
What is psychoanalysis? The dream analysis? Fruedian slip? and its limitations?
Psychoanalysis is the study of the unconsciousness.
Dream analysis: “unconscious wish fulfilment”
Fruedian slip: when you say something, but you mean something else.
Limitations: Not accurate.
What is behaviorism? The black box? Its limitations?
The study that behaviors can be explained without feelings. It is the most reliable study.
That black box is what goes on in the mind of an individual.
Limitations: Hard to make predictions.
What study is the most reliable?
Behaviorism.
What is the difference between behaviorism and cognitivism? Its limitations?
cognitive believes that brain matters, behaviorism does not think that the brain matters.
What is cognitivism? Its limitations?
Focuses on the process of the minds.
Limitations: Individual differences.
What is a pro of using case studies in research?
A. High external validity
B. Rich information
C. Wide applicability of results
D. Control over all variables
B. Rich information
What is a con of using case studies in research?
A. High external validity
B. Low external validity
C. Limited internal validity
D. Requires many participants
B. Low external validity
What is naturalistic observation in research?
A. Conducting controlled experiments in a lab
B. Simply observing people without interfering
C. Analyzing data that already exists
D. Studying a small number of people intensively
B. Simply observing people without interfering
Which of the following is a con and which is a pro of naturalistic observation?
A. High external validity
B. Low internal validity
C. Requires many participants
D. Difficulty in gathering data
CON - B. Low internal validity
PRO - A. High external validity
What is archival research?
A. Research involving observation of participants
B. Studying existing data sets to gather information
C. Conducting experiments with controlled variables
D. Performing in-depth studies on a small group of individuals
B. Studying existing data sets to gather information
What is a con and a pro of archival research?
A. Less invasive than other methods
B. Lack of quality control
C. Rich information from participants
D. Low internal validity due to reactivity
CON - B. Lack of quality control
PRO - A. Less invasive than other methods
What is an advantage AND a disadvantage of using surveys/questionnaires in research?
A. Low external validity
B. High response accuracy
C. Ease of administration
D. Full control over variables
E. Response error
Advantage - C. Ease of administration
Disadvantage - E. Response error
Which of the following best describes malingering in research?
A. Randomly selecting participants to ensure diverse data
B. Faking answers in a survey or questionnaire
C. A test producing consistent results
D. Observing natural behavior
B. Faking answers in a survey or questionnaire
What is the term used when all results are agreed?
A. Internal consistency
B. Test-retest reliability
C. Inter-rater reliability
A. Internal consistency
What term is used when all results are stable?
A. Internal consistency
B. Inter-rater reliability
C. Test-retest reliability
C. Test-retest reliability
What term is used when two people agree on results?
A. Inter-rater reliability
B. Internal consistency
C. Test-retest reliability
A. Inter-rater reliability
What is the term used when an appearance to measure is what it is supposed to measure?
A. Convergent validity
B. Face validity
C. Divergent validity
B. Face validity
What term is used when a test agrees with other tests that measure the same thing?
A. Convergent validity
B. Face validity
C. Divergent validity
A. Convergent validity
In a correlational study, a perfect negative correlation would be represented by which value?
A. 0
B. +1.0
C. -1.0
D. 0.5
C. -1.0
Which of the following is a disadvantage AND an asvantage of correlational studies?
A. Allows researchers to make predictions
B. Can infer causality between variables
C. Cannot infer causality between variables
D. Can predict another variable
E. Provides data from archival sources
DISADVANTAGE - C. Cannot infer causality between variables
ADVANTAGE - D. Can predict another variable
What does a correlational study investigate?
A. Causal relationships between two variables
B. The relationship between two variables
C. Experimental data in controlled settings
D. Differences between multiple groups
B. The relationship between two variables
Psychology is the scientific study of what?
A. Social behavior and norms
B. The brain, mind, and behavior
C. Common sense decision-making
D. Personality traits and disorders
B. The brain, mind, and behavior
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of psychology?
A. It involves analyzing people
B. It uses the scientific method
C. It is the study of behavior
D. It focuses on mental processes
A. It involves analyzing people
What is the difference between research psychologists and applied psychologists?
A. Research psychologists work with patients, while applied psychologists focus on theory
B. Research psychologists conduct experiments, while applied psychologists use research to solve real-world problems
C. Applied psychologists study the brain, while research psychologists focus on behavior
D. There is no difference between research and applied psychologists
B. Research psychologists conduct experiments, while applied psychologists use research to solve real-world problems
Which of the following is NOT one of the four goals of psychology?
A. Describe: What is happening?
B. Synthesize: Combine multiple studies.
C. Predict: Can we anticipate how people will behave?
D. Limit: Stop harmful behaviors or thoughts
E. The Why: Why do people act or think a certain way?
B. Synthesize: Combine multiple studies.
What is the highest level in the levels of analysis in psychology?
A. Biological: Molecular or neurochemical level
B. Psychological: Mental or neurological level
C. Social/Cultural: Social or behavior level
D. Normative: Cultural norms and traditions
A. Biological: Molecular or neurochemical level
What is the purpose of the scientific method in psychology?
A. To follow common sense principles
B. To prove theories using experiments
C. To overcome biases in thinking
D. To develop new hypotheses
C. To overcome biases in thinking
Which of the following is the correct sequence in the scientific method?
A. Hypothesize, Test, Observe, Modify, Predict, Repeat
B. Observe, Hypothesize, Predict, Test, Modify, Repeat
C. Test, Hypothesize, Observe, Predict, Repeat, Modify
D. Modify, Observe, Hypothesize, Test, Predict, Repeat
B. Observe, Hypothesize, Predict, Test, Modify, Repeat
Which of the following is an example of multiple determination in psychology?
A. A behavior has a single cause
B. A behavior has multiple causes
C. A person’s behavior never changes
D. A person’s behavior is entirely based on their genetics
B. A behavior has multiple causes
Confirmation bias refers to:
A. Sticking to beliefs even when proven wrong
B. Changing beliefs based on new evidence
C. Looking for evidence that supports what you already believe
D. The tendency to reject scientific evidence
C. Looking for evidence that supports what you already believe
Which of the following describes belief perseverance?
A. Changing your mind after being presented with facts
B. Maintaining your belief even after it’s been proven wrong
C. Testing a hypothesis using the scientific method
D. Formulating a new hypothesis based on observations
B. Maintaining your belief even after it’s been proven wrong
Which of the following best defines a hypothesis?
A. A true and proven explanation for behavior
B. A prediction of future behavior based on observation
C. An explanation for what is being observed, before testing
D. A collection of untested data
C. An explanation for what is being observed, before testing
Which of the following best defines a theory?
A. A guess about why something is happening
B. An explanation for behavior that has not been tested
C. A true and proven explanation after testing
D. A random observation of behavior
C. A true and proven explanation after testing
