Document 5

Key Learning Goals

• Understand three unifying themes relating to psychology as a field of study.

• Understand four unifying themes relating to psychology's subject matter.

1. Empiricism

1.1 Importance of Empirical Evidence

• Psychology relies on empirical evidence, meaning knowledge is based on observation, experimentation, and direct evidence instead of speculation or common sense.

• Critical to the scientific method adopted in psychology during the late 19th century.

1.2 Role of Skepticism

• Requires a skeptical attitude towards claims, emphasizing the necessity for data and documentation.

• Encourages psychologists to inquire about methodologies, populations, and definitions of measured behaviors, for example: "How many people get depressed? In what population?"

2. Theoretical Diversity

2.1 Concept of Theories

• Theories in psychology connect seemingly unrelated observations and serve to explain complex behaviors.

• Example: Freud's theory links various observations about human behavior through the concept of the unconscious.

2.2 Strength of Theoretical Diversity

• Different perspectives enhance understanding rather than weaken it; conflicting theories often stimulate productive research.

3. Sociohistorical Context

3.1 Interaction between Psychology and Society

• Psychology develops within a sociohistorical context, shaped by cultural values, societal trends, and events.

• Historical context shaped Freud's theories, influenced by the cultural suppression of sexuality in his era.

3.2 Psychology's Impact on Society

• Psychology influences societal norms, such as child-rearing practices based on various psychologists' research.

4. Themes Related to Psychology's Subject Matter

4.1 Multifactorial Causation

• Human behavior is influenced by multiple causes rather than single factors, recognizing the complexity of behavior.

• Personal and situational factors both contribute to individual behaviors, e.g., performance in psychology courses depends on multiple aspects like intelligence and motivation.

4.2 Cultural Heritage

• Cultural background influences behavior, encompassing customs, beliefs, and norms that shape individual and communal experiences.

• Cultural factors are pervasive; understanding cultural influences is crucial for a full understanding of human behavior.

4.3 Heredity and Environment

• Both genetic inheritance (nature) and individual experience (nurture) contribute significantly to personality and behavior.

• Contemporary psychology acknowledges the interaction between heredity and environment; the debate continues to evolve as researchers study their complex relationship.

4.4 Subjectivity of Experience

• Individual experiences of the world are inherently subjective, influenced by perceptual processes and biases.

• Study example: Princeton and Dartmouth students perceived the same football game differently, highlighting subjective interpretation.

5. Critical Thinking Application

5.1 Definition of Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking is purposeful, reasoned, and goal-directed thinking involving problem solving and evaluative skills to achieve desirable outcomes.

5.2 Skills of Critical Thinkers

• Key skills include understanding scientific methods, logical reasoning, evaluating information quality, analysing arguments, and considering probabilities.

5.3 Relevance of Teaching Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking skills need intentional teaching and practice as they don't automatically develop through standard education.

5.4 Application Example: Evolutionary Psychology

• Examines gender differences in spatial abilities as shaped by evolutionary pressures related to historical labor divisions, emphasizing the good practice of critical thinking by evaluating alternative explanations and contradictory evidence.