Untitled Note

Introduction to Psychology

  • Title: An Introduction to Psychology

  • Source: Myers/DeWall/Yost Hammer, Myers' Psychology for the AP R Course, 4e © 2023 Worth/BFW Publishers

Unit Overview

  • Unit: Science Practices

  • Research Methods and Data Interpretation

  • Module: 0.1 The Scientific Attitude, Critical Thinking, and Developing Arguments

Learning Targets

  • LT 0.1-1: Explain how psychology is a science.

  • LT 0.1-2: Describe the three key elements of the scientific attitude and how they support scientific inquiry.

  • LT 0.1-3: Explain how critical thinking feeds a scientific attitude and promotes smarter thinking for everyday life.

Psychology as a Science

  • Psychology's findings stem from careful observation and testing.

  • Theories in psychology require empirical evidence for validation rather than anecdotal claims.

  • Conducting studies helps differentiate fact from opinion.

Anecdotal Evidence

  • Definition: Information based on personal experience or opinions.

    • Example: A person predicting weather based on animals' behavior lacks scientific data support.

    • Example: A man quits his job and finds a better one, suggesting quitting will lead to positive outcomes; lacks controlled evidence.

Empirical Approach

  • Definition: An evidence-based method using observation and experimentation to confirm theories.

Characteristics of a Scientific Attitude

  • A scientific attitude helps discern fact from fiction, comprising three elements:

    1. Curiosity

      • Asks if concepts work and explores unexpected findings.

    2. Skepticism

      • Encourages questioning validity and searching for objective evidence.

    3. Humility

      • Acknowledges the limits of personal knowledge and embraces surprises in findings.

The Role of Critical Thinking

  • Critical thinking enhances our daily life and scientific inquiry by:

    • Debunking common myths about human behavior, such as:

      • Sleepwalkers do not act out dreams.

      • Repressed memories are often unreliable.

      • Happiness levels are similar across age, gender, and affluence.

Average Self-Reported Happiness (2016-18)

  • Visualization: Different happiness levels by demographic and geography, based on a survey through the World Happiness Report, 2019.

Critical Thinking Defined

  • Definition: A systematic method to evaluate information and form reasoned conclusions. It requires:

    • Challenging assumptions about information.

    • Discovering hidden biases.

    • Evaluating evidence and its validity.

    • Assessing conclusions in context.

Examples of Critical Thinking

  1. Analyzing News Sources

    • Check for biases in news articles and compare with other sources.

  2. Reassessing Personal Views

    • Actively seeking and evaluating opposing viewpoints, adjusting beliefs based on evidence.