Intro to Psych
what is the definition of psychology?
the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior
What is the confirmation bias?
Tendency to seek out evidence that supports our hypotheses and deny, dismiss, or distort evidence that contradicts them
What are the steps to the scientific method?
observe, hypothesis, collect data, analyze data, communicate
How many neurons are in a person's brain?
100 to 200 billion neurons
What is the range for a correlation coefficient?
-1.00 to +1.00
what is the ABC triad?
affect (feelings), behavior (action), and cognition (thoughts)
What is naive realism?
The belief that we see the world precisely as it; We trust our intuitive perceptions of the world and ourselves.
what is a correlational design
non-experimental research method that measures the statistical relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them or controlling the environment
What is inside the peripheral nervous system?
which side of the brain control speech and language?
left hemisphere
Observe/describe behavior; Explain behavior; Predict behavior; Change behavior, if necessary; Address social problems
what are the 3 logical fallacies?
emotional reasoning fallacy, bandwagon fallacy, not me fallacy
What is a unstructured self-report measure?
an open-ended question where it is a measuring a report of themselves
the "switchboard"; sends information to the proper location in the brain and receives information form all of the senses except smell
experimental
what is the definition of levels of analysis?
Psychologists study behavior and mental processes across different levels of analysis
What does falsifiability mean? (also give an example)
Can the claim be disproved? ex: A self-help book claims that all human beings have an invisible energy field surrounding them that influences their moods and well-being
what is the difference between reliability and validity?
reliability: consistency of measurement; validity: extent to which a measure assesses what it purports to measure
What does the hypothalamus do?
regulates eating, drinking, and body temperature--monitors blood chemistry and takes orders
what is an operational defintion?
a working definition of what a researcher is measuring; Different researchers may define the same variables in different ways
List some different branches of psychology.
biopsychology, social psychology, I/O psychology, health psychology, cognitive psychology, behavioral psychology, etc.
what is belief perseverance?
Tendency to stick to our initial beliefs even when evidence contradicts them
What is the third variable problem problem?
Does some other variable (C) cause A and B?
What are the lobes of the cerebral cortex and where are they?
frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe
Who is Phineas Gage?
Explosion blew an iron rod through his head; Personality changes--From: Dependable, Conscientious, Respected--To: Irritable, Profane, Dishonest