Psychology Flashcards
What is Psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behaviour.
(Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner and Hood, 2012, p. 6)
What does ‘Mind’ refer to in psychology?
Mind is our internal experience.
What does ‘Behaviour’ refer to in psychology?
Behaviour is our observable actions.
What is Biological Psychology?
Explores how our biology interacts with psychological processes
This field examines the connection between biological factors and mental processes.
What does Cognitive Psychology study?
The study of mental processes, ‘thinking’ and problem solving
Cognitive psychology focuses on how we perceive, remember, and think about information.
What is the focus of Developmental Psychology?
Study of how psychological processes change over time
This field investigates psychological growth and change from infancy to adulthood.
What does Personality and Individual Differences examine?
The study of personality and how psychological processes vary from one person to the next
It looks at traits, behaviors, and characteristics that make individuals unique.
What is the main focus of Social Psychology?
Explores the psychological processes that operate when we interact with others
This field studies how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual or imagined presence of others.
What does the wide range of approaches in Psychology imply?
There is no right or wrong approach
What are the approaches in Psychology considered as?
Lenses through which we make sense of phenomena
Are the approaches in Psychology exclusive?
No, several lenses can be applied to the same topic
Name a key topic that can be studied from multiple psychological approaches.
Memory
What biological aspect can be explored in Psychology?
Biology
What underlying aspect does Psychology examine?
Underlying Processes
What developmental changes are explored in Psychology?
Development in kids/deterioration in old age
What factor does Psychology consider when examining performance differences?
Social influences
What is psychology?
The scientific study of mind and behaviour.
What is a pivotal question in psychology?
How we move our discipline forward.
How do psychologists advance their discipline?
By asking questions and addressing them using scientific methods.
What do psychologists develop to explore theories?
Theories.
What methods do psychologists use to develop theories?
Via observation and using previous literature.
Fill in the blank: Psychologists develop questions to explore _______.
[theory]
What is the definition of Psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Psychology encompasses various aspects of human experience, including thoughts, emotions, and actions.
What is a Theory in Psychology?
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.
Theories are based on a body of evidence and can be used to predict future occurrences.
What is a Hypothesis?
A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables.
Hypotheses are often formulated based on theories and are tested through research.
What does it mean when a Hypothesis is supported?
Evidence gathered from testing indicates that the hypothesis is likely true.
This often leads to further testing and refinement of the theory.
What does it mean when a Hypothesis is rejected?
Evidence gathered from testing indicates that the hypothesis is likely false.
Rejection of a hypothesis can lead to the modification of the original theory.
What is the process that allows us to move forward in our understanding in Psychology?
The iterative process of forming a hypothesis, testing it, and refining theories based on the results.
This scientific method is crucial for advancing psychological research.
What influences the development of research questions?
The real world and academic literature
Both aspects guide researchers in formulating their inquiries.
What is the first stage of any research project?
To review the academic literature and begin to develop a theory
This stage is crucial for understanding existing knowledge and forming a basis for new research.
What purpose does academic literature serve in research?
It helps address real world problems
Academic literature provides insights and frameworks that can be applied to practical issues.
Fill in the blank: The first stage of any research project is to _______.
[review the academic literature and begin to develop a theory]
True or False: Academic literature is irrelevant when developing research questions.
False
Academic literature plays a significant role in shaping research inquiries.
What is psychology?
Psychology is a scientific discipline
Psychology focuses on understanding the mind and behavior.
What is the primary focus of psychology?
To devise theories and ask questions to help us understand the mind and behavior
This focus enables the development of a deeper understanding of psychological processes.
How do conclusions in psychology influence future research?
Conclusions guide future research and can be applied to real-world problems
This application can lead to practical solutions in various fields.
Are theories in psychology considered facts?
No, theories are not facts and are open to being questioned
This characteristic allows for the continuous evolution of psychological understanding.
What impact can psychology have on society?
Psychology can massively impact our world and help better society
This impact can manifest in various forms, including mental health improvements and social interventions.
What role do individuals play in the process of psychology?
Individuals are part of the process of psychological inquiry and development
This involvement underscores the collaborative nature of psychological research.
What are constructs in psychology?
Constructs are broad terms for a complicated collection of internal processes and behaviors
Constructs represent tendencies to think, feel, and act in certain ways, but not consistently.
Can psychological constructs be directly observed?
No, psychological constructs cannot be directly observed
They often represent internal processes such as thoughts and feelings.
Give an example of a psychological construct.
Extraversion
Extraverts may be outgoing but can also be quiet in certain situations, like lectures.
What challenges are associated with measuring emotional states?
Emotional states cannot be measured with a ruler
This highlights the complexity of psychological constructs.
How do personality characteristics relate to constructs?
Personality characteristics are not always expressed the same way
This variability complicates the observation of constructs.
Fill in the blank: Psychological constructs often include internal processes such as _______.
thoughts and feelings
True or False: Constructs always represent consistent behaviors.
False
Constructs indicate tendencies that may not be expressed all the time.
What is a challenge in observing attitudes towards crime and punishment?
They are difficult to observe
This emphasizes the complexity of psychological constructs.
What is the importance of clarity when developing a question?
It is important to be clear about what we are exploring.
Define Operational Definition.
Description of an abstract property in terms of a concrete condition that can be measured.
What do Watson and Clark argue about Extraversion?
Positive emotionality should be seen as the core of Extraversion with a high degree of sociability.
According to McCrea and John, what traits are associated with Extraversion?
Dominant, talkative, sociable, and warm.
Fill in the blank: An Operational Definition is a description of an abstract property in terms of a _______.
[concrete condition that can be measured]
True or False: It is unnecessary to operationalise terms when developing a question.
False
What is the preferred source for developing questions?
Academic literature
Academic literature provides more specialized definitions than dictionaries.
Why are dictionary definitions considered less preferable in developing questions?
They are not specialized
Dictionary definitions may lack the depth and context needed for academic purposes.
What is the first step in developing a question?
Identifying key behaviours and constructs
This includes having clear definitions of what is being explored.
What should be considered when thinking about questions?
The underlying questions
It’s important to ensure that the questions are relevant and meaningful.
True or False: ‘Fraud increasing’ is an acceptable question.
False
This statement lacks depth and specificity for a research question.
What might you need to do if you can’t find a suitable question?
Move away from your original observation/news story
This allows for broader exploration of related topics.
What is a critical aspect to identify in developing a question?
The underlying psychological question of interest
Understanding the psychological aspect is crucial for framing effective questions.
Fill in the blank: Once we have started to identify the key behaviours and constructs, we can start to think about our _______.
[questions]
What is a theory?
‘Hypothetical account of how and why a phenomenon occurs, usually in the form of a statement about the causal relationship between 2 or more properties’ Schacter et al. (2020, p. 48)
Theories serve to explain various phenomena and can guide further research.
What is a rationale in the context of developing theories?
A reason as to why we believe a theory to be the case
Rationales become more important as you progress through the course and expand your RDA knowledge.
What is the first step in developing theories after forming a question?
To start developing theories
This process involves hypothesizing causal relationships based on the question posed.
Fill in the blank: A theory is a _______ account of how and why a phenomenon occurs.
hypothetical
True or False: Rationales are not important in the development of theories.
False
Rationales become increasingly important as knowledge expands.
What factors inform the approaches we take in psychology?
The types of questions we ask
Different questions lead to different psychological approaches.
What does the cognitive perspective in psychology explore?
The processes behind decision making and how to change these
This perspective focuses on mental processes.
What is the focus of the personality approach in psychology?
Traits approach, considered more static and therefore less subject to change
This approach looks at stable characteristics of individuals.
What does the social approach in psychology examine?
How others influence our decisions
It includes the study of peer influence.
True or False: The same topics in psychology can only be approached in one way.
False
The same topics can be approached in very different ways.
What philosophical group is associated with Logical Positivism?
Vienna Circle
What does Logical Positivism propose regarding ideas?
Outlining if an idea was meaningful or if it was nonsense
What are the two main types of statements according to Logical Positivism?
- Definitions
- Verifiable empirical statements
Give an example of a definition that is meaningfully true.
A triangle has three sides
What is an example of a verifiable empirical statement?
Eating cheese before bed gives you nightmares
According to Logical Positivism, when are statements considered meaningful?
If they could be verifiable
What philosophical group is associated with Logical Positivism?
Vienna Circle
What does Logical Positivism propose regarding ideas?
Outlining if an idea was meaningful or if it was nonsense
What are the two main types of statements according to Logical Positivism?
- Definitions
- Verifiable empirical statements
Give an example of a definition that is meaningfully true.
A triangle has three sides
What is an example of a verifiable empirical statement?
Eating cheese before bed gives you nightmares
According to Logical Positivism, when are statements considered meaningful?
If they could be verifiable
What is systematic empiricism?
‘The practice of relying on observation.’
Stanovich, 2013, p. 9
What does the term ‘empirical’ suggest?
Facts are derived by observation and experience as opposed to theory.
What is the Greek origin of the word ‘empirical’?
It comes from the Greek ‘emperos’.
How can science be viewed when combined with logical positivism?
As a series of logical states that could be observed and verified.
Fill in the blank: All swans are _______.
white
What is the main problem with logical positivism?
Scaling
Logical positivism struggles with generalizing individual observations to broader claims.
What is an example of verifiable information at an individual level?
Georgia the swan is white
This statement can be observed and verified directly.
What is the problem with generalization in logical positivism?
Cannot easily verify general claims
General claims, such as ‘all swans are white’, cannot be readily verified through observation.
What is induction?
Process of inferring rules based on a set of particular observations
Induction allows for generalizations from specific cases, despite the limitations of verification.
Who is associated with the concept of falsification?
Karl Popper
What did Karl Popper disagree with regarding the logical basis of induction?
He argued that observing many instances does not guarantee future instances.
According to Popper, what is the significance of observing a single black swan?
It can falsify the view that all swans are white.
What is the essence of falsification?
Proposing a theory and seeking to falsify it.
What does failure to falsify a theory indicate?
It is not proof, but support for the theory.
What does the term ‘falsifying a theory’ imply?
It means we need to amend the theory.
Can a theory be definitively proven according to Popper?
No, a theory cannot be definitively proven.
Fill in the blank: You can definitely _______ a theory.
falsify
How did Popper view the scientific community?
As a critical community
Popper emphasized that the scientific community should challenge and test theories.
What is the process that Popper suggests scientists follow with their theories?
Put forward theories and attempt to break them
This process is essential for scientific advancement.
According to Popper, what do areas that seek to verify not constitute?
Science
Popper argued that verification does not lead to genuine scientific progress.
What is the result of breaking and amending theories?
Advancement of knowledge and understanding
This practice helps refine scientific theories.
What term describes the increasing closeness of a theory to the truth?
Verisimilitude
Verisimilitude refers to the degree of truthlikeness in theories.
Fill in the blank: Theory 2 is closer to truth than _______.
Theory 1
This illustrates the process of scientific refinement.
Who explored science through ‘paradigms’?
Thomas Kuhn
Thomas Kuhn is known for his work on the philosophy of science.
What is the title of Thomas Kuhn’s seminal work?
‘Structure of Scientific Revolution’ (1962)
This book discusses the nature of scientific progress and paradigm shifts.
What does the term ‘paradigm’ derive from?
The Greek for ‘pattern’ or ‘template’
The concept of paradigms is central to Kuhn’s theory of scientific revolutions.
How does Kuhn describe the development of scientific practice?
Learned/developed by familiarity with successful application of theory
This emphasizes the role of established theories in shaping scientific methods.
What happens as smaller paradigms become broadly accepted?
They form a single broad paradigm
This indicates a consolidation of scientific understanding over time.
How does Kuhn characterize the structure of a paradigm?
Broad but rigid structure
This suggests that while paradigms can encompass a wide range of theories, they also impose constraints on scientific inquiry.
What occurs during the ‘normal science’ phase of a paradigm?
‘Normal science’ occurs by forcing all ideas into the accepted paradigm.
This refers to the phase where existing theories are tested and refined without questioning the foundational assumptions.
According to Kuhn, what is the role of critical discourse in science?
The abandonment of critical discourse is what makes a science.
Critical discourse involves questioning and challenging existing paradigms, which is essential for scientific progress.
What happens to results that do not fit the accepted paradigm?
They are rejected and considered the mistake of the researcher, not the paradigm.
This highlights the resistance within scientific communities to change established theories.
What occurs when criticisms of a paradigm continue to emerge?
The paradigm reaches crisis and no longer functions.
This crisis may lead to the questioning of the paradigm’s validity and the search for alternatives.
What state follows the crisis of a paradigm?
A pre-paradigmatic state until a new paradigm is accepted.
This state is characterized by uncertainty and exploration of new ideas.
How did Kuhn describe the transition to a new paradigm?
He likened it to a conversion experience.
This analogy emphasizes the profound change in perspective that accompanies the adoption of a new paradigm.
What is a paradigm shift in science?
A fundamental change in the basic concepts and practices of a scientific discipline.
Name one example of a paradigm shift in the scientific world.
Flat earth to round earth.
What system did the Ptolematic system shift to?
The Copernican System.
What replaced Newtonian Physics after 200 years?
Quantum mechanics.
Who moved away from Galen’s system of anatomy?
Vesalius.
What did Kuhn believe about the nature of scientific progress?
That science jumps forward rather than progresses gradually.
What is a paradigm shift in science?
A fundamental change in the basic concepts and practices of a scientific discipline.
Name one example of a paradigm shift in the scientific world.
Flat earth to round earth.
What system did the Ptolematic system shift to?
The Copernican System.
What replaced Newtonian Physics after 200 years?
Quantum mechanics.
Who moved away from Galen’s system of anatomy?
Vesalius.
What did Kuhn believe about the nature of scientific progress?
That science jumps forward rather than progresses gradually.
What is the main focus of the debate between Kuhn and Popper?
Their differing views on scientific theories and paradigms.
True or False: Kuhn and Popper completely agreed on their views of scientific progress.
False
What is one similarity between Kuhn and Popper’s ideas?
All observations are theory laden.
According to Popper, what is necessary for scientific progress?
Falsification
Fill in the blank: Popper believed the core theory could be _______ at any time.
challenged
Fill in the blank: Kuhn believed the central paradigm was _______ and should be rarely challenged.
sacred
What does Popper’s philosophy emphasize in relation to scientific theories?
The ability to challenge and falsify theories.
What does Kuhn argue about the central paradigm in scientific research?
It should be rarely challenged.
Who proposed the idea of science as research programmes?
Imre Lakatos
Lakatos is known for his contributions to the philosophy of science.
What does the term ‘Hard Core’ refer to in Lakatos’s theory?
Set of assumptions which cannot be abandoned/changed
The Hard Core forms the foundation of a research programme.
In Lakatos’s framework, what role do auxiliary hypotheses play?
Items that did not support Hard Core
Auxiliary hypotheses can be adjusted without affecting the Hard Core.
Fill in the blank: Imre Lakatos proposed the idea of science as _______.
research programmes
True or False: The Hard Core of a research programme can be easily changed.
False
The Hard Core is meant to remain constant.
What is a Hard Core in scientific paradigms?
A foundational set of beliefs or theories that cannot be abandoned or altered without rejecting the entire core.
Similar to a Kuhnian Paradigm.
What is an Auxiliary Hypothesis?
Evidence that threatens the core but does not outright reject it as Popper argued.
Exploring these ‘failures’ can lead to significant insights about the central core.
True or False: A Hard Core can be altered without rejecting the entire scientific framework.
False
Altering the Hard Core would mean rejecting the whole core.
Fill in the blank: The __________ is similar to a Kuhnian Paradigm and cannot be abandoned.
Hard Core
What can be learned through exploring Auxiliary Hypotheses?
We can learn a lot about the central core.
This exploration provides insights into the foundational beliefs.
What constitutes science?
There is no real unified idea as to what constitutes science.
What is a common characteristic of scientific ideas?
Only ideas that can be feasibly tested are considered science.
What is essential for scientific validity?
We need to be able to falsify.
What role does observation play in science?
Observation is key.
What must accompany ideas or data in science?
Ideas/data cannot be considered without theory.
How is science characterized as a process?
Science is a process, which doesn’t lead to the end fact.
What can challenge our understanding of science?
There are pinch points which challenge our understanding and change our approach.
What is a necessary condition for scientific information?
Science must be publicly available.
Fill in the blank: Ideas that can be feasibly tested are considered _______.
[science]
True or False: Scientific ideas must be capable of being falsified.
True
What is a key characteristic of science?
Empiricism/Observation is key
Empiricism emphasizes the importance of observation and experience in the formation of knowledge.
What cannot be considered without theory in science?
Ideas/data
Theories provide a framework for interpreting data and understanding observations.
How is science described in terms of its process?
Science is a process, which doesn’t lead to the end fact
This indicates that science is ongoing and subject to revision.
What are pinch points in science?
They challenge our understanding and change our approach
Pinch points refer to critical moments or findings that prompt reevaluation of existing theories.
What must science be in order to be valid?
Publicly available
Transparency allows for peer review and validation of scientific findings.
What type of ideas are considered science?
Only ideas that can be feasibly tested
Testability is a fundamental criterion for scientific inquiry.
What is necessary for scientific ideas in terms of falsifiability?
We need to be able to falsify
Falsifiability allows for the possibility of disproving a hypothesis, which is essential for scientific credibility.
True or False: There is a unified idea of what constitutes science.
False
The concept of science is diverse and varies across different fields and disciplines.
Fill in the blank: Science must be _______ available.
publicly
Public availability is crucial for scientific progress and collaboration.
Does the statement ‘science leads to end facts’ accurately describe the nature of science?
No
Science is iterative and always open to new evidence and interpretations.
What is the historical significance of empiricism in psychology?
Empiricism has a history in psychology, with notable figures including Ebbinghaus, Stroop, Skinner, Milgram, Zimbardo, and Bandura.
Does empiricism alone make a topic scientific?
No, empiricism itself does not make a topic scientific.
What would happen if you observed everything you did in a day and wrote it down?
You would be no nearer to understanding the world.
What is crucial for gaining understanding through observations?
Observations must be ‘systematic’.
What approach helps us learn more about our world in psychology?
A systematic approach.
What will you learn throughout your RDA course?
How to base your work on systematic empiricism.
Fill in the blank: Observations must be _______ to gain understanding.
systematic.
What is the assumption about scientists in theory?
Scientists are unbiased in their observations, measurements, and experiments.
How does observation relate to theory?
Observation justifies (or not) a theory the scientist already holds.
What determines what kinds of data to collect?
Theories determine what kinds of data to collect.
True or False: Theory in the absence of data is considered science.
False
True or False: Data alone make a science.
False
Why is it important to consider biases when forming a theory?
Because biases can influence the formation and justification of the theory.
What is debated amongst scientists and philosophers of science regarding psychology?
The use of theory and whether we can be truly unbiased in science
This debate highlights the challenges of objectivity in scientific inquiry.
How do theories in psychology reflect the individual scientist?
Theories include and reflect the biases, prejudices, values, and assumptions of the individual scientist
This suggests that personal perspectives can influence scientific outcomes.
What role do unconscious biases such as androcentrism and ethnocentrism play in psychological theories?
They influence the development and interpretation of psychological theories
Androcentrism refers to male-centered perspectives, while ethnocentrism involves evaluating other cultures based on one’s own.
Who argued that the ‘critical tradition’ was difficult to follow?
Popper
Karl Popper is known for his work in the philosophy of science, particularly regarding falsifiability.
What is a challenge mentioned regarding criticism in scientific theory?
It is hard to be consistently criticised
This reflects the human tendency to defend one’s own ideas and theories.
What natural inclination do people have regarding their theories?
People naturally wish to defend their theories
This tendency can lead to confirmation bias, where individuals favor information that confirms their existing beliefs.
What term does Kuhn use to describe the current state of psychology?
Pre-paradigmatic
Kuhn suggests that psychology has not yet established a unified framework like other sciences.
What was a central paradigm in psychology during the early 1900s?
The behaviourist movement
The behaviourist movement focused on observable behaviors and was prominent before declining in influence.
What theory is mentioned as a potential unifying theory for psychology?
Darwin’s theory of evolution
Although Darwin’s theory could unify various psychological concepts, it is not widely accepted as the central view in psychology.
What phenomenon has shaped the field of psychology according to the text?
Smaller crises
These crises reflect the evolving nature of psychological theories and paradigms over time.
What term does Kuhn use to describe the current state of psychology?
Pre-paradigmatic
Kuhn suggests that psychology has not yet established a unified framework like other sciences.
What was a central paradigm in psychology during the early 1900s?
The behaviourist movement
The behaviourist movement focused on observable behaviors and was prominent before declining in influence.
What theory is mentioned as a potential unifying theory for psychology?
Darwin’s theory of evolution
Although Darwin’s theory could unify various psychological concepts, it is not widely accepted as the central view in psychology.
What phenomenon has shaped the field of psychology according to the text?
Smaller crises
These crises reflect the evolving nature of psychological theories and paradigms over time.
What is parapsychology?
The scientific study of experiences which, if they are as they seem to be, are in principle outside the realm of human capabilities as presently conceived by conventional scientists
(Irwin & Watts, 2007)
What are some areas studied in parapsychology?
- Study of ghosts
- Paranormal activity
- Extrasensory perception
What is a characteristic of parapsychology research methods?
They are often extremely robust.
What is a potential challenge faced by researchers in parapsychology?
Fear of rebuke.
True or False: Einstein’s theory of relativity predicted gravitational waves that could be detected immediately after its proposal.
False.