Psychology Core Concepts and Trends

Definition of Psychology
- Originates from philosophy.
Cognitive Errors in Thinking
- Confirmation Bias: Seeking agreement from others when seeking advice.
- Correlation vs. Causation: Misunderstanding relationships (e.g., stereotype about abilities).
- Hindsight Bias: Recognizing past warning signs after an event.
- Heuristics:
- Availability Heuristic: Judging likelihood based on recent memories.
- Better Than Average Effect: Believing oneself to be above average.
- Dunning-Kruger Effect: The less one knows, the more they overestimate their abilities.

Mind/Body Problem: Debate over separateness or connection between mind and body.
Nature vs. Nurture: The impact of genetics vs. upbringing.
Functionalism: Emphasis on purpose and function of behaviors.

Role of Biology:
- Use of brain imaging to explore brain functions.
- Genetic and epigenetic influences.
Behaviorism: Focus on observable behavior for accuracy in study.
Cognitive Psychology: Emphasis on understanding the brain's processes.
Open Science Movement: Publication of significant discoveries to address biases.
Cultural Psychology: Recognition of diverse cultural perspectives in psychology.

Developmental Psychology: Impact of familial context on development.
Emotions: Study of complex emotional expressions.
Motivation and Health Psychology: Relationship between mental health, drug use, and overall health.
Social Psychology: Examination of group dynamics and interpersonal influences.
Personality and Psychological Disorders: Treatment effectiveness based on individual assessments.

Biopsychosocial Model: Integration of biological, social, and psychological factors in mental health assessment.
- Biological: Genetic predispositions.
- Individual: Personal behaviors and characteristics.
- Social: Influence of social interactions and settings.
- Cultural: Norms and values impacting identity and behavior.