Psych 104 Unit2a

Science

The process of collecting & evaluating evidence. Systematic & objective

How is empirical data gathered?

Through research and observation

What type of evidence does the scientific method produce?

Empirical

Do you need scientific evidence to make a psychological claim?

Yes

The scientific method steps

Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Experiment → Analysis → Conclusion

Importance of statistical evaluation

Prevents bias in analysis

Heuristic

Stereotypes that allow us to make faster decisions

Heuristic processing

• Lack of knowledge creates buas

• Uncertainty makes it hard to think analytically

Elaborative thinking

• Happens when there is low uncertainty

• Elaborating on given info

Availability heuristic

Rule of thumb based off what is most familiar

Mere exposure effect

Bias due to familiarity

Bias

• Encourages intuitive thinking (bad)

• Impairs analytical thinking

• May make wrong predictions

• Clouds understanding & knowledge

Confirmation bias

Focusing only on evidence confirming your belief, ignoring opposing evidence

Hindsight bias

Overestimating how well you can predict outcomes after it happened ex: “I knew it would rain today!”

Bias blindspot

It’s easy to see bias in others but not ourselves

Positive thing about bias

Bias can be a source of observation that can be tested by science

Science-ploitation

Using real scientific findings & language to spread misinformation

Naturalistic fallacy

The belief that something is good because it’s natural

Antiquity fallacy

The belief that something is good just because it’s been done for a long time

Popular psychology (pop psych)

• Causes misinformation

• Mostly untested

• Can be harmful to follow

• Ex: Learning styles, handwriting analysis, psychotherapy

Cognitive load

The capacity which a person can think about something

Uncertainty and cognitive load relationship

Higher uncertainty = Higher cognitive load

Scientific goals of psychology

• Describe behaviour

• Understand & explain causes of behaviour

• Predict behaviour

• Influence & control behaviour

Influence of the body on mental processes and vice versa

Mental affecting body - perceived stress

Body affecting mental - Sickness

Nature vs nurture

Both interact (epigenetics)

Tabula rasa

We are a blank state, shaped by our environment. John Locke