Psychological Science: The Curious Mind CHPT 1

psychology

scientific study of behavior and mental processes / studies thoughts and memories

STEM field

National Science Foundation (NSF) says psychology is a member of the

7 major hub sciences

psychology, math, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, meds, social sciences

psychological science

founded on careful observation, experimentation, objective and verifiable data

pseudoscience

based on fantasy, folk wisdom, superstition, “common sense” / doesn’t use scientific method

scientific thinking (ST)

process of objectively evaluating the weight of fact-based, verifiable evidence in favor of or against a certain point

critical thinking (CT)

process of objectively evaluating value-based claims in order to decide which is most logically defensible

confirmation bias (CB)

preferring evidence confirming original expectations, while disregarding contradictory evidence

critical thinking (CT)

interests in value-based judgements gathered through metacognition (awareness / recognition of personal cognitive processes)

scientific thinking (ST)

interests in fact-based evidence gathered through scientific method or the empirical approach

empirical approach

reliant on observation, experimentation, and measurement

curiosity

eager desire to know and learn / a step in differentiating scientific thinking from critical thinking

skepticism

questioning the reality of something / a step in differentiating scientific thinking from critical thinking

examination of evidence

empirical approach or metacognition / a step in differentiating scientific thinking from critical thinking

rationalism

logic and reason / a step in differentiating scientific thinking from critical thinking

metacognition

awareness of how you think

structuralism

Wundt’s and Tichener’s approach to psychology was based on the idea that conscious experiences can be broken down into basic elements / ultimately failed

introspection

process of observing one’s own internal psychological processes, judgements, perceptions, states / it couldn’t be used to study animals, children, complex mental disorders,

Gestalt psychology

school of thought emphasizing the whole of anything is greater than it’s parts

functionalism

James’s approach to exploring how mental and behavioral processes function to enable organisms to adapt to the environment / declined but expanded psychological scope to include research on emotions and observable behaviors

James

father of American psychology

psychoanalytical perspective

focuses on unconscious processes, unresolved conflicts, and past experiences

Sigmund Freud

developed psychoanalytical perspective / also believed many psychological problems developed from unconscious sexually and aggressive motives

psychodynamic perspective (psychodynamic POV)

emphasizes unconscious dynamics - motives, conflicts, past experiences, based on psychoanalytical approach / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

behavioral perspective (behavioral POV)

emphasizes objective, observable environmental influences on overt (clear) behavior / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

humanistic perspective (humanistic POV)

perceives human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking (free will and self-actualization; realizing one’s full potential) / led the way to positive psychology / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

positive perspective (positive POV)

optimal human functioning (positive emotions, traits, institutions) / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

cognitive perspective (cognitive POV)

focuses on mental processes for thinking, knowing, remembering, communicating / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

biological perspective (biological POV)

modern approach to psychology focusing on genetics / biological processes / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

evolutionary perspective (evolution POV)

stresses natural selection, adaptation, reproduction / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

natural selection

heritable traits increasing organisms chances of survival or reproduction may be passed on to next (succeeding) generations

sociocultural perspective (sociocultural POV)

emphasizes social interaction and cultural determinism of behavioral and mental processes / 1 of 7 modern psychological perspectives

biopsychological model (bio model)

behavior influenced by interacting with biological, psychological, social factors / 1 of 3 major psychological models

APA five pillar model

biological, cognitive, developmental, social and personality, mental and physical health / 1 of 3 major psychological models

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI)

fair access, representation, and inclusive environments across race, gender, age religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic value

psych degree

can open paths to: mental health, education, research, business and industry, health care, social services

contributors to happiness

practicing gratitude, intentional use of time and money, building strong relationships, pursuing good goals, changing behavior, mindfulness

adaption level phenomenon

how people quickly adjust to new circumstances, causing happiness boosts to fade

improving study habits

familiarization (previewing material, SQ4R, avoid highlighting and rereading, using practice and practice testing, overlearning

SQ4R

survey, question, read, recite, review, write