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Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Introduction. Dr. M. Davis-Brantley. What is Psychology?. Psychology is the scientific discipline that studies behavior and mental processes In order to understand or explain human behavior scientists conduct experiments to gather a better understanding of humans

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Chapter 1: Introduction

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  1. Chapter 1: Introduction Dr. M. Davis-Brantley

  2. What is Psychology? • Psychology is the scientific discipline that studies behavior and mental processes • In order to understand or explain human behavior scientists conduct experiments to gather a better understanding of humans • To do this, there must be an opening of the mind. • Why? Consider stereotypes and prejudices

  3. Critical Thinking • What is Critical Thinking? • Critical Thinking is an approach to thinking characterized by skepticism and thoughtful analysis of statements and arguments • Features of Critical Thinking • Maintain a “healthy” skepticism—Keep an open mind • Examine the assumptions or premises of arguments • Be cautious in drawing conclusion from “evidence” • Consider alternative interpretations of research evidence—especially if the evidence seems to show cause and effect • Ex: In areas where there are lots of churches, there are lots of liquor stores. Why? • Don’t Oversimplify • Don’t Overgeneralize • Apply critical thinking to all areas of life • Ex:Tupac and B.I.G. are still alive • My horoscope for today…..

  4. Critical Thinking Cont’d • Ex:Tupac and B.I.G. are still alive • My horoscope for today….. • Pet Rock Phenomenon of the 1970’s • Pictures • History

  5. Critical Thinking Cont’d • Pseudoscience -- A method or system that claims to have a scientific basis but does no, such as astrology. • Barnum Effect —The tendency of people to accept overgeneralized descriptions of personality as accurate appraisals of their own personalities • A good circus has a “little something for everybody” • Psychology can’t rely on the Barnum effect: Has to be a science

  6. The Study of Human Behavior • Scientific Method is a method for obtaining scientific evidence in which a hypothesis is formed and tested • Hypothesis is a prediction that is tested through research • Ex: Children who watch violent television, tend to be more violent towards peers • Correlation is a statistical association or relationship between two variables, expressed in the form of a correlation coefficient (-1.00 to +1.00) • Positive correlation: Ex: Intelligence and academic achievement • Negative correlation: Ex: Stress and Health • Replication—is an extremely important step in scientific research, Why?

  7. The Study of Human Behavior • Case Study Method is a method of research based on a carefully drawn biography obtained through interviews, questionnaires, or psychological tests • Survey is a means of information gathering in which a large number of individuals are interviewed or asked to complete questionnaires in order to learn about the individual • Social Desirability Bias is the tendency for people to respond in socially desirable ways • Generalize—to extend from the particular to the general • Population—A complete group of organisms or events • Sample—Part of the population selected for research

  8. The Study of Human Behavior • Experimental Method—is the scientific method that seeks to confirm or discover cause-and-effect relationships by introducing independent variables and observing their effects on the dependent variable • Treatment—the condition received by participants so that its effects may be observed • Experimental Group—A group of subjects who receive a treatment in an experiment • Control Group—The group of subjects that do not receive the treatment • Placebo—A bogus treatment that has the appearance of being genuine

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