Introduction to Theory, Logic, and Evolutionary Models in Psychology

Vocabulary flashcards identifying key concepts, theories, and terminology from the lecture on psychological theory, logic, and evolutionary frameworks.

Science

The process of building models to explain how the world works, rather than being defined solely by its experimental tools or data collection methods.

Deduction

A logical process moving from the general (such as a theory) down to the specific, where the conclusion must necessarily be true if the premises are correct.

Induction

A logical process moving from specific data or observations to a general theory, which does not guarantee that the resulting general statement is always true.

Abduction

Described as 'inference to the best explanation,' it involves moving between available data and theory by combining inductive and deductive reasoning to narrow down theoretical possibilities.

Trace Data

Passive data collected online or in the physical world, including app usage, location data, typing patterns, and activity logs.

Monogenic Traits

Characteristics controlled by a single gene, also known as Mendelian traits, such as earwax type.

Polygenic Traits

Characteristics governed by the cumulative effects and interactions of multiple genes alongside environmental factors, leading to continuous distributions such as height.

Normative Conformity

A form of conformity demonstrated in the Ash experiments where individuals alter their actions or choices simply because everyone else in the group is doing so.

Pluralistic Ignorance

A psychological state where individuals misperceive the commonality of a belief or behavior in a group, leading them to conform to a perceived norm that is not actually the majority reality.

Goldilocks Zone (in Social Learning)

A state of moderate environmental variability where social learning from previous generations provides greater adaptive value than relying purely on genetic evolution or individual trial-and-error.

Sigmoidal Curve (in Conformity)

An S-shaped function describing how an individual's probability of adopting a behavior non-linearly increases once a specific threshold percentage of demonstrators engage in that behavior.

Hamilton's Rule

An evolutionary formula represented as $r b > c$, which states that an altruistic gene will spread if the degree of genetic relatedness ($r$) multiplied by the benefit to the recipient ($b$) exceeds the cost to the altruist ($c$).

Direct Reciprocity

A mechanism of cooperation based on direct interaction and favor exchange between two individuals who regularly encounter each other.

Indirect Reciprocity

Cooperation driven by reputation and norm psychology, where individuals decide whether to assist someone based on observations, gossip, or third-party reports of their past behavior.

Zotero

A free reference management software program used by researchers to collect, manage, and automate academic citations inside document editors.