MIDTERM - Chapters 1, 2, 9, 10, 11

Question 1

psychological science

Answer 1

the study, through research, of mind, brain, and behavior

mind - mental activity
mental activity - biochemical processes in brain
behavior - totality of observable human/animal actions

Question 2

critical thinking

Answer 2

systematically questioning and evaluating information using well-supported evidence

Question 3

psychological reasoning

Answer 3

using psychological research to examine how people think, to understand when and why they are likely to draw erroneous conclusions

Question 4

types of erroneous conclusions

Answer 4

• ignoring evidence (confirmation bias)
• seeing casual relationships that do not exist
• accepting after-the-fact explanations
• taking mental shortcuts

Question 5

hindsight bias

Answer 5

people thinking that they knew what would happen after it happens

Question 6

illusory correlations

Answer 6

seeing associations between variable when they aren’t actually associated

Question 7

false consensus effect

Answer 7

the assumption that everyone shares one’s opinion

Question 8

confirmation bias

Answer 8

paying attention only to information that supports our beliefs, disregarding information that conflicts with our beliefs

Question 9

why are people so inaccurate in the first place?

Answer 9

• they generally start with extremely positive views about their abilities
• most people believe they are better than average in many things

Question 10

mind/body probelm

Answer 10

are the mind and body separate and distinct, or is the mind simply the physical brain’s subjective experience?

Question 11

culture

Answer 11

the beliefs, values, rules and customs that exist within a group of people who share a common language and convironment

Question 12

nature/nurture debate

Answer 12

the arguments concerning whether psychological characteristics are biologically innate or acquired through education, experience, and culture

Question 13

functionalism

Answer 13

concerned with the adaptive purpose, or function, of mind and behavior

Question 14

stream of sconsciousness

Answer 14

coined by william james to describe each person’s continuous series of ever-changing thoughts