PS

Chapter 1

The Mind and Psychology's Distinctiveness

Psychology investigates the mind's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Its complexity stems from:

  1. Human behavior is hard to predict: Influences are rarely independent.

  2. Individual differences: People think differently from each other.

  3. Interpersonal and Cultural Influence: People affect each other, and behavior is shaped by culture.

Naïve Realism and Scientific Thinking

Naïve realism is the mistaken belief that we see the world as it truly is; perceptions can be deceiving. While intuition can generate hypotheses, scientific thinking teaches us when to trust common sense (e.g., Earth is flat example).

Scientific Theory and Bias

Scientific theory offers an account that ties multiple observations together and generates testable predictions (hypotheses). Based on testing, theories are accepted, rejected, or revised. Scientists are prone to biases:

  1. Confirmation Bias: Tendency to seek evidence supporting existing beliefs and dismiss contradictory evidence.

  2. Belief Perseverance: Reluctance to abandon beliefs despite conflicting evidence.

Pseudoscience

Pseudoscience consists of claims that appear scientific but lack the safeguards (against bias) that characterize true science (e.g., exaggerated claims).

Evaluating Psychological Information

When evaluating psychological websites, consider:

  1. References to peer-reviewed literature.

  2. Multiple credible articles vs. anecdotes or personal testimonials.

Core Scientific Principles

  1. Correlation vs. Causation: Avoid concluding causation from mere correlation; variables can have complex relationships where a third variable (C) might influence both (A and B).

  2. Falsifiability: For a theory to be meaningful, it must be capable of being disproved.

  3. Replicability: A study's findings should be consistently duplicable, forming the cornerstone of dependable science.

  4. Generalizability: The extent to which a study's findings can apply to a larger, different population.

Historical Figures and Schools of Thought in Psychology

  1. Wilhelm Wundt: Founder of psychology, established the first lab in Germany (1879), used introspection.

  2. E.B. Titchener (Structuralism): Focused on identifying basic elements or "structures" of experience through systematic observation.

  3. Functionalism (William James, influenced by Darwin): Explored the adaptive purpose and function of mental processes and behavior.

  4. Psychodynamic Theory (Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Alfred Adler): Uncovered the role of unconscious psychological processes and early life experiences in behavior.

  5. Behaviorism (Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, Edward Thorndike): Focused on observable behaviors and general principles of learning.

  6. Cognitivism (Jean Piaget, Ulric Neisser, George Miller): Examined the role of mental processes on behavior.

Modern Psychology

Modern psychology involves:

  1. Teaching (e.g., in college).

  2. Conducting and applying research.

  3. Providing mental health services (e.g., counseling, clinical work).