Psychology
Is Psychology a Science?
Psychology is a science because it uses empirical methods to study human behavior and mental processes.
It is a social science that aims to understand and explain human behavior, and it relies on the scientific method to test hypotheses and theories.
Why does Berezow say it isn’t?
According to Berezow, psychology is not a science because it lacks the following features:
Lack of universality: Psychological theories and findings are often specific to particular cultures, populations, or contexts.
Lack of testability: Many psychological theories are difficult to test or falsify.
Lack of predictive power: Psychological theories often do not make precise predictions about behavior.
Lack of objectivity: Psychological research is often subjective and influenced by the researcher's own biases and values.
Markers/Features of Science
Objectivity: Scientific research aims to be objective and free from personal biases.
Testability: Scientific theories and hypotheses can be tested and falsified.
Universality: Scientific laws and theories should be applicable across different contexts and cultures.
*Predictive power**: Scientific theories should make precise predictions about phenomena.
*Replicability**: Scientific findings should be replicable by other researchers.
Example Studies in Psychology
*Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo)**:
+ Aim: To investigate the effects of social roles on behavior.
+ Method: 24 male students were randomly assigned to play the role of prisoners or guards in a simulated prison setting.
+ Findings: The study showed that even normal, sane individuals can behave in extreme ways when given certain roles and authority.
+ Criticisms: The study was criticized for its lack of control group and its artificial nature.
*Milgram's Obedience Study**:
+ Aim: To investigate the extent to which ordinary people would obey an authority figure.
+ Method: Participants were instructed to deliver increasingly severe electrical shocks to another participant.
+ Findings: The study showed that a significant proportion of participants were willing to administer potentially lethal shocks.
+ Criticisms: The study was criticized for its lack of ethical considerations and its potential for harm.
Social Psychology
*Group Think**:
+ Aim: To investigate the effects of groupthink on decision-making.
+ Method: Participants were asked to discuss a hypothetical scenario and then make a decision.
+ Findings: The study showed that groupthink can lead to poor decision-making and a lack of critical thinking.
Computational Theory of Mind
*Main Idea**: The computational theory of mind proposes that mental processes, such as perception, attention, and memory, can be understood as computational processes that operate on mental representations.
*Main Concepts**: Computational theory, symbolic representation, mental modules, mental representations.
*Chinese Room Argument**: The Chinese Room Argument questions whether a machine (or computer program) can truly be said to "understand" language or have consciousness if it is simply processing symbols without any inherent understanding.
Theory of Mind
*What is it?**: Theory of mind refers to the ability to understand that others have mental states, such as beliefs, desires, and intentions, that are different from one's own.
*Link to Autism**: Research has shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulty with theory of mind tasks, such as understanding others' intentions or recognizing emotions.
*Link to Religious Belief**: Some research has suggested that theory of mind may play a role in religious beliefs and practices, as people may use their understanding of others' mental states to explain supernatural events or divine intentions.
Baron-Cohen's Studies
*Main Idea**: Simon Baron-Cohen's research has focused on the relationship between theory of mind and autism spectrum disorder.
*Main Concepts**: Empathy, theory of mind, autism spectrum disorder.
The Brain
*Main Parts and Functions**: The brain is composed of several regions, including:
+ Cerebrum (responsible for processing sensory information, controlling movement, and facilitating thought)
+ Cerebellum (involved in motor coordination and learning)
+ Brainstem (regulates basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure)
+ Hippocampus (plays a role in memory formation)
Cognitive Psychology
*Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow**: Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman's research has shown that our brains use two systems for processing information: System 1 (fast, automatic, intuitive) and System 2 (slow, controlled, deliberative).
*Cognitive Reflection Test**: This test measures an individual's ability to think critically and reflectively about complex problems.
Salem Witch Trials What is it?:
The Salem Witch Trials were a series of trials and executions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts, specifically in Salem Village (now Danvers) and surrounding areas, between 1692 and 1693.
Key features:
Mass hysteria: The trials were sparked by a series of bizarre events, including reports of "witches" causing physical harm and supernatural occurrences.
Accusations and confessions: Accused witches were subjected to intense pressure and torture, leading many to confess to crimes they did not commit.
Executions: Twenty people were executed, and many more were imprisoned or forced to flee.
Psychological insights:
Group polarization: The witch trials demonstrate how a group can become polarized around a particular idea or belief, leading to the exclusion of opposing views and the promotion of extreme behavior.
Social influence: The accused witches were often isolated from their communities, making them more vulnerable to accusations and pressure.
Fear and superstition: The trials were fueled by fear and superstition, as well as the desire for social control and conformity.
Moral Judgment Font Study (Grossman & Huettel, 2008)
Hypothesis: The font used in a moral dilemma can influence moral judgments
Method: Participants were presented with a series of moral dilemmas written in different fonts (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, Comic Sans). The dilemmas described situations where an individual had to choose between two options, one of which involved harming someone.
Results: The results showed that participants were more likely to make harsher moral judgments when the dilemmas were written in fonts that are typically associated with immaturity or childishness (e.g., Comic Sans).
Conclusion: The study suggests that the font used in a moral dilemma can influence our moral judgments, and that our judgments may be influenced by subtle cues in the environment.
Dimly Lit Rooms Study (Kahneman & Tversky, 1973)
Hypothesis: The ambient lighting in a room can influence people's estimates of probability
Method: Participants were asked to estimate the probability of different events (e.g., the number of aircraft crashes per year) while seated in either a dimly lit room or a well-lit room.
Results: The results showed that participants seated in the dimly lit room estimated higher probabilities for the events than participants seated in the well-lit room.
Conclusion: The study suggests that ambient lighting can influence our judgments and estimates, and that this influence can be due to the way that lighting affects our mood and emotional state.
These studies demonstrate the scientific method in psychology by:
Formulating clear hypotheses and research questions
Designing controlled experiments to test these hypotheses
Collecting and analyzing data to test these hypotheses
Drawing conclusions based on the results of the study
Peer reviewing and replicating the study to verify its findings