PSYC 1010: Fostering a Positive Learning Environment

Fostering a Positive Learning Environment

• Dr. Alisha Salerno is the professor for PSYC 1010
• The course aims to foster a positive learning environment
• The course emphasizes accessibility and flexibility
• Students can engage in real-world research through the URPP program

Course Structure and Components

• The course includes lectures, interactive activities, and discussions
• There are four cumulative multiple-choice tests (17% each)
• Students complete two mini assignments (8% & 10%)
• There are two applied reflections (2% each)
• The URPP component contributes 4% to the final grade
• Lecture slides are available before class

Tips for Success

• Stay on top of readings and assignments
• Ask questions and seek help from TAs
• Make friends with like-minded students
• Use proper email etiquette

What is Psychology?

• The scientific study of behavior and mental processes
• Psychologists describe, predict, and explain human behavior and mental processes

The History of Psychology

• Psychology has roots in ancient Greek philosophy
• Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology lab in 1879, focusing on structuralism.

Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

• Structuralism: Founded by Wilhelm Wundt and E.B.Titchener, exploring the structure of the mind through introspection
• Functionalism: Founded by William James, focusing on the functions of mental processes and how they help us adapt
• Psychodynamic: Founded by Sigmund Freud, emphasis on unconscious mind and early childhood experiences
• Behaviorism: Founded by John B. Watson, focuses on observable behaviors and their environmental influences
• Cognitivism: Focuses on the mental processes involved in thinking and behavior
• Behaviorism: Founded by B.F. Skinner, explores the impact of consequences on behavior

Women in Psychology

• Women faced significant obstacles in entering the field of psychology
• Margaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to receive a PhD in psychology
• Esther Greenglass was the only woman in her PhD program at the University of Toronto in 1967
• Women still represent a minority in higher-ranking faculty positions in psychology

Ways of Knowing

• Authority: accepting information from trusted sources
• Reason: using logic and deduction
• Observation: Gathering information through our senses

Limitations of Common Sense

• Naïve Realism: the tendency to believe that what we perceive is accurate
• Common sense can sometimes be accurate and help generate hypotheses
• Research demonstrates that snap judgments based on facial traits can predict sexual orientation with a 65% accuracy rate

The Scientific Method

• A systematic approach to acquire knowledge about behavior and other phenomena
• Involves identifying questions, formulating explanations, and conducting research

Scientific Theory

• An explanation for a large number of natural world findings
• A testable prediction is called a hypothesis
• The Bystander Effect is an example of a scientific theory

Bias Awareness

• Confirmation Bias: Seeking out evidence that confirms preexisting beliefs
• Belief Perseverance: Holding onto beliefs even when contradictory evidence exists

Pseudoscience

• Imposters of science with claims lacking scientific evidence
• Examples include energy therapies and astrology

Warning Signs of Pseudoscience

• Use of jargon or psychobabble
• Lack of self-correction
• Overreliance on anecdotal evidence
• Making extraordinary claims without sufficient evidence

Explanations for Pseudoscience Appeal

• Patternicity: Our tendency to perceive patterns in random stimuli
• Terror Management Theory: Seeking comforting worldviews to manage the fear of death

The Antidote for Pseudoscience

• Engage in scientific thinking
• Distinguish science from pseudoscience
• Avoid common logical fallacies

Common Logical Fallacies

• Emotional Reasoning Fallacy: Using emotions instead of evidence
• Bandwagon Fallacy: Assuming something is true because many people believe it.
• Not Me Fallacy: Believing that biases apply to others but not oneself.

Dangers of Pseudoscience

• Opportunity Cost: Wasting resources on ineffective treatments
• Direct Harm: Pseudoscientific practices can cause harm to individuals
• Blocking Critical Thinking: Pseudoscientific beliefs can generalize to other areas of life

Critical Thinking

• A set of skills to evaluate claims objectively and cautiously
• Key to scientific method and scientific thinking

Six Principles of Scientific Thinking

• Ruling out Rival Hypotheses: considering alternative explanations
• Correlation vs. Causation: understanding that correlation doesn't imply causation
• Falsifiability: The ability to prove a claim wrong
• Replicability: The ability to reproduce scientific findings
• Extraordinary Claims: Claims requiring persuasive evidence
• Occam’s Razor: Preferring simpler explanations when multiple explanations exist

Modern Psychology

• Experimental Psychology: Research focused on understanding basic mental processes
• Clinical Psychology: Treatment, assessment, and diagnosis of mental health issues

Branches of Psychology

• Neuropsychology
• Child/developmental psychology
• I-O psychology
• Sports psychology
• Social/personality psychology
• Forensic psychology

How Psychology Affects our Lives

• Basic Research: Examines how the mind works
• Applied Research: Utilizing research to solve real-world problems

This quiz focuses on key components of the PSYC 1010 course led by Dr. Alisha Salerno. Students will explore the structure, expectations, and strategies for success in fostering a positive learning environment. Engage with real-world research opportunities through the URPP program as part of the learning experience.