Foundations of Psychological Science

TERM: UNCRITICAL ACCEPTANCE

When we don’t evaluate information with enough logic

Reasons why we exhibit UNCRITICAL ACCEPTANCE

1. Someone we trust told us

2. We hear it a lot

3. We want it to be true

4. We are easily convinced from weak evidence

TERM: CONFIRMATION BIAS

When we notice or remember information that we want or expect and ignore or forget everything else

TERM: CHERRY PICKING

When we intentionally use information we like to support personal beliefs and ignore the rest

TERM: SUPERSTITION

Beliefs with no objective basis and false evidence

TERM: PSEUDOSCIENCE

When superstitions seem scientific

Examples of PSEUDOSCIENCE

Phrenology (study of skull shapes revealing personality) and Graphology (handwriting predicts peronality)

TERM: SCIENCE

The practice of an object approach to answering; using experiments and observations with impartiality and avoiding bias during evaluations

What is the use of PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE?

Conducting research to validate claims, explore new concepts and solve real issues

TERM: PSYCHOLOGY

Scientific study of human behaviors and mental processes

Goals of PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

• Describe, predict, and explain behaviors using systematic methods

• Control and change behaviors using scientifically tested interventions

TERM: BEHAVIOR

Directly observable

TERM: MENTAL PROCESSES

Thoughts, feelings and motives that are experienced privately (i.e. not observable)

TERM: PSYCHOLOGIST

Somone trained in psychological theory, knowledge and methods

Goals of BASIC RESEARCH

Aims to understand concepts

Goals of APPLIED RESEARCH

Aims to solve issues

How can the ANIMAL MODEL help psychological research?

Principles that also apply to human behavior can be observed through animals

TERM: CLINICAL PYCHOLOGIST

Provides mental healthcare services for psychological problems or researches on therapies and disorders

TERM: COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGIST

Treats milder psychological issues

TERM: PhD

Follows the scientist-practitioner model which means being trained in both research and therapy

TERM: PsyD

Training focuses on therapy skills

Requirements to be a clinical psychologist and a counseling psychologist

1. PhD / PsyD / EdD

2. License

ETHICAL CODE for licensed clinical and counseling psychologists focus on:

1. High competency, integrity and responsibility

2. Respect for rights of privacy, confidentiality, freedom and dignity

3. Client’s welfare

TERM: PSYCHIATRIST

Treats serious mental disorders with medicine

TERM: PSYCHOANALYST

Psychologists or psychiatrists whose psychotherapy methods are specifically backed by Freudian psychoanalysis

TERMS: COUNSELOR

Helps mental health problems but not serious mental disorders