Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a key characteristic of critical thinkers when evaluating information?
What is a key characteristic of critical thinkers when evaluating information?
- They trust all sources without scrutiny.
- They avoid asking questions about the information.
- They use logical reasoning and make inferences. (correct)
- They rely solely on anecdotal evidence.
Which type of sources qualifies as empirical evidence?
Which type of sources qualifies as empirical evidence?
- Personal blogs and opinions.
- Television entertainment programs.
- Psychology textbooks and scientific journals. (correct)
- Social media posts.
Who set up the first psychology laboratory in 1879?
Who set up the first psychology laboratory in 1879?
- Sigmund Freud
- Wilhelm Wundt (correct)
- John Watson
- Edward Titchener
What method is associated with structuralism?
What method is associated with structuralism?
What limitation did structuralism face?
What limitation did structuralism face?
What was the aim of Titchener's structuralism?
What was the aim of Titchener's structuralism?
How do critical thinkers respond to information that sounds inconsistent or illogical?
How do critical thinkers respond to information that sounds inconsistent or illogical?
What does psychology primarily explore according to its definition?
What does psychology primarily explore according to its definition?
What is considered the most important aspect of psychology's definition?
What is considered the most important aspect of psychology's definition?
Which of the following is considered a pseudopsychology?
Which of the following is considered a pseudopsychology?
What is the primary focus of critical thinking in psychology?
What is the primary focus of critical thinking in psychology?
Which quality is NOT associated with critical thinkers?
Which quality is NOT associated with critical thinkers?
What does empirical evidence refer to?
What does empirical evidence refer to?
Which statement about critical thinkers is true?
Which statement about critical thinkers is true?
What should critical thinkers be cautious about?
What should critical thinkers be cautious about?
What is a common misconception about psychology?
What is a common misconception about psychology?
Flashcards
What is Psychology?
What is Psychology?
The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
What are pseudopsychologies?
What are pseudopsychologies?
Observations about human behavior that lack scientific support. Examples include psychics, astrology, and palm reading.
What is critical thinking?
What is critical thinking?
The ability to analyze information accurately and draw rational conclusions based on evidence.
What is one characteristic of a critical thinker?
What is one characteristic of a critical thinker?
Critical thinkers are flexible and embrace uncertainty.
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What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
Critical thinkers identify biases and assumptions.
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What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
Critical thinkers demand evidence and question claims.
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What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
Critical thinkers separate facts from opinions.
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What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
What is another characteristic of a critical thinker?
Critical thinkers don't oversimplify complex matters.
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Critical thinking
Critical thinking
The ability to use logic and reason to analyse information and draw conclusions. It involves looking for inconsistencies and asking relevant questions to uncover the truth.
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Empirical evidence
Empirical evidence
Information that can be observed and measured, often through scientific methods. It provides reliable evidence to support claims.
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Structuralism
Structuralism
A scientific approach to understanding the basic components of the mind and mental processes. It aims to break down experiences into their simplest elements.
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Introspection
Introspection
A method of studying mental processes by looking inward and reporting on personal experiences. It relies on introspective observations.
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Functionalism
Functionalism
A school of thought that emerged from structuralism, focusing on the purpose and function of mental processes in adapting to the environment.
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Wundt's lab
Wundt's lab
The first psychology laboratory, established by Wilhelm Wundt in 1879 in Germany. This marked the beginning of psychology as a formal scientific discipline.
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Principles of Physiological Psychology
Principles of Physiological Psychology
A book written by Wilhelm Wundt in 1874, considered one of the most important works in the history of psychology. It explored the connection between physiological processes and mental phenomena.
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Edward Titchener
Edward Titchener
An American psychologist who studied with Wundt and developed structuralism. He emphasized introspection as a method of studying the mind.
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Introduction to Psychology
- Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
- A key aspect of psychology is the scientific method.
- Pseudopsychologies are observations about human behavior without scientific support.
What is Psychology?
- Psychology is about critical thinking, the ability to analyze information and draw rational conclusions.
- Critical thinkers are flexible, tolerate ambiguity, and identify biases.
- They are skeptical, basing claims on objective evidence.
- Critical thinkers avoid oversimplification, recognizing the complexity of human behavior.
- Critical thinkers are logical and inferential.
Critical Thinking
- Critical thinkers separate facts from opinions, and consider evidence quality.
- They use empirical evidence, obtained from experiments, observation, or measurement.
- They avoid "argument by anecdote" (personal stories as evidence.)
- They avoid oversimplification, and consider the complexity of the subject matter.
The Beginnings of Psychology
- Psychology has existed since the beginning of time in a general sense.
- Psychology as a formal discipline began in 1879 with Wilhelm Wundt's psychology laboratory in Germany.
- Wilhelm Wundt trained some of the first scientific psychologists
- Wundt wrote the important book "Principles of Physiological Psychology"
- Early psychologists were primarily interested in visual and auditory sensations, and feelings
- Edward Titchener was a student of Wundt in Germany.
Structuralism
- Titchener developed structuralism, an approach to psychology.
- Structuralism aimed to identify basic building blocks of human experience (sensation, perception, emotion).
- The method used was introspection (looking inward).
Functionalism
- Introspection limitations gave rise to functionalism (studying how the mind adapts).
- William James is considered crucial in developing and explaining functionalism.
- Functionalism broadened the scope of psychology, considering observable behaviors and emotions.
- Functionalism also influenced modern psychological testing and the modern education and industry methods.
Sources of Empirical Information
- Psychology textbooks are a source of empirical information.
- Scientific journals/periodicals, such as non-scientific sources like newspapers, television, websites or Wikipedia, can also provide information.
- Anecdotes, opinions of non-experts, should also not be used as evidence or factual information.
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