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What is the definition of psychology according to the lecture?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior, incorporating biological, social, and cultural influences.
What are the key features that differentiate psychology from pseudoscience?
Psychology emphasizes scientific evidence, empirical observation, and critical evaluation of claims.
What did the Italian astronomer mistakenly report seeing and what was the truth behind it?
He thought he saw canals on Venus, but he was actually seeing blood vessels in his eye.
What is confirmation bias?
Confirmation bias is the tendency to focus on information that supports our existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
What are the six principles of scientific thinking mentioned in the lecture?
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. 2. Testing predictions. 3. Occam's Razor. 4. Replicability. 5. Ruling out rival hypotheses. 6. Correlation does not imply causation.
What does the principle of 'Occam's Razor' imply?
The simplest explanation that accounts for the data is often the best.
What is the 'lunar effect' and what does research on it suggest?
The lunar effect refers to the belief that the full moon influences human behavior; research suggests there is little empirical support for this claim.
What role does critical thinking play in psychology?
Critical thinking involves evaluating claims and evidence, questioning assumptions, and adhering to a methodical approach to understanding human behavior.
What did Wundt contribute to the field of psychology?
Wundt established the first psychology lab in 1879, marking the birth of psychology as a formal scientific discipline.
How does behaviorism differ from other psychological perspectives?
Behaviorism focuses solely on observable behavior and the influence of the environment, dismissing internal mental processes.
What significance does the humanistic perspective hold in psychology?
Humanistic psychology emphasizes personal growth, free will, and the inherent goodness of people, contrasting with psychodynamic and behaviorist views.
Why is skepticism important in evaluating psychological claims?
Skepticism encourages thorough assessment of evidence and claims, helping to differentiate between scientifically supported ideas and pseudosciences.
What historical figure is associated with the introduction of behaviorism?
John B. Watson is credited with the development of behaviorism, emphasizing the study of observable behavior.
What are the potential dangers of pseudoscientific practices like rebirthing therapy mentioned in the lecture?
Rebirthing therapy has been linked to severe harm, including the death of a child during a session, illustrating the risks of unverified practices.
What is the role of the scientific method in psychology?
The scientific method provides a structured approach for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to form reliable conclusions in psychology.
What is the concept of 'naive realism' as discussed in the lecture?
Naive realism is the belief that we see the world exactly as it is, often leading to inaccurate assumptions about reality.
What does the term 'eclectic approach' refer to in psychology?
The eclectic approach involves integrating ideas and methods from multiple psychological perspectives to understand behavior.
What is the importance of replication in psychological research?
Replication helps verify the reliability of research findings and ensures that results are not due to chance or methodological flaws.
What is the definition of psychology according to the lecture?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior, incorporating biological, social, and cultural influences. It explores various aspects including perception, emotion, cognition, motivation, and personality.
