Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary focus of structuralism in psychology?
What was the primary focus of structuralism in psychology?
Why is learning about controversial topics in psychology important?
Why is learning about controversial topics in psychology important?
Who is credited as the founder of the first psychology lab?
Who is credited as the founder of the first psychology lab?
What method did Wundt use to study the mind?
What method did Wundt use to study the mind?
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What is a key component of fostering a positive classroom environment while discussing sensitive topics?
What is a key component of fostering a positive classroom environment while discussing sensitive topics?
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What does the third variable problem suggest in correlation studies?
What does the third variable problem suggest in correlation studies?
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Which of these statements is an example of a falsifiable claim?
Which of these statements is an example of a falsifiable claim?
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What does Occam's razor advocate in terms of explanations for data?
What does Occam's razor advocate in terms of explanations for data?
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Which type of psychology is primarily focused on diagnosing and treating mental disorders?
Which type of psychology is primarily focused on diagnosing and treating mental disorders?
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What defines applied research in psychology?
What defines applied research in psychology?
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What is one of the main focuses of Dr. Alisha Salerno's teaching approach?
What is one of the main focuses of Dr. Alisha Salerno's teaching approach?
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Which component contributes the most percentage towards the final grade in the course?
Which component contributes the most percentage towards the final grade in the course?
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How many applied reflections can a student choose to complete for grading?
How many applied reflections can a student choose to complete for grading?
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What is the suggested action if a student encounters difficulties in the course?
What is the suggested action if a student encounters difficulties in the course?
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What is URPP in the context of this course?
What is URPP in the context of this course?
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Which school of thought focuses on observable behavior rather than mental processes?
Which school of thought focuses on observable behavior rather than mental processes?
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Which of the following is NOT included as part of the course evaluations?
Which of the following is NOT included as part of the course evaluations?
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What is a key suggestion for students aspiring to apply to graduate school?
What is a key suggestion for students aspiring to apply to graduate school?
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Who is considered the father of behaviorism?
Who is considered the father of behaviorism?
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Which aspect is emphasized for consideration among common student concerns?
Which aspect is emphasized for consideration among common student concerns?
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Which school of thought emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in human behavior?
Which school of thought emphasizes the role of unconscious processes in human behavior?
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Functionalism was primarily shaped by which psychologist?
Functionalism was primarily shaped by which psychologist?
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Which concept is primarily associated with B.F. Skinner?
Which concept is primarily associated with B.F. Skinner?
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What is a common misconception regarding women in psychology?
What is a common misconception regarding women in psychology?
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Which of these psychologists is associated with the study of mental processes underlying thinking?
Which of these psychologists is associated with the study of mental processes underlying thinking?
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What is the focus of the functionalist perspective?
What is the focus of the functionalist perspective?
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What is meant by 'naïve realism'?
What is meant by 'naïve realism'?
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What does the scientific method primarily aim to do?
What does the scientific method primarily aim to do?
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Which of these describes confirmation bias?
Which of these describes confirmation bias?
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Which statement is an example of belief perseverance?
Which statement is an example of belief perseverance?
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What is a characteristic of psychological pseudoscience?
What is a characteristic of psychological pseudoscience?
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What does 'patternicity' refer to?
What does 'patternicity' refer to?
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What characterizes 'pseudo-profound bullshit'?
What characterizes 'pseudo-profound bullshit'?
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Which example best illustrates confirmation bias in real life?
Which example best illustrates confirmation bias in real life?
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Inflation can be defined as which of the following?
Inflation can be defined as which of the following?
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What does terror management theory propose about human anxiety?
What does terror management theory propose about human anxiety?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of pseudoscience?
Which of the following is a characteristic of pseudoscience?
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What does the 'not me' fallacy refer to?
What does the 'not me' fallacy refer to?
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Which principle of scientific thinking emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence?
Which principle of scientific thinking emphasizes that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence?
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Which of the following best describes the impact of emotional reasoning fallacy in critical thinking?
Which of the following best describes the impact of emotional reasoning fallacy in critical thinking?
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What is a key aspect of critical thinking?
What is a key aspect of critical thinking?
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How does correlation differ from causation?
How does correlation differ from causation?
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Study Notes
Course Information
- Course name: PSYC 1010
- Lecture 1: Introduction to psychology
- Instructor: Dr. Alisha Salerno
Teaching Approach
- Foster positive learning environment
- Promote student engagement
- Focus on accessibility and flexibility
Course Evaluations
- 3 non-cumulative multiple-choice tests (19% each)
- Applied reflections (12%, 2% each, 6 required)
- 2 mini assignments (10% and 15%)
- URPP (4%)
- Course quiz (2%)
- 2-3 week turnaround for assignment marking
URPP (Undergraduate Research Participant Pool)
- Participate in real research to earn up to 4% toward the grade
- Register for an account
- Grades are posted at the end of the term, not updated live
Course Policies
- Teaching Assistants (TAs)
- Rounding policies
- Missed tests
- Extension coupons
- Academic honesty/posting on course-sharing websites
- Accommodations
- Office hours/emails
Tips for Success
- Stay on top of readings and assignments
- Talk to the professor/TA if having trouble
- Use proper email etiquette
- Make friends (with similar work ethic). Beware of group chats
- If applying to graduate school, get to know the professors
Common Concerns
- Final/cumulative exams
- Resources for studying
- Time management (work-life balance)
- Making new friends
Thorny Topics
- Social psychology (conformity, obedience)
- Psychological disorders (crime, solitary confinement, incarceration)
- Psychology topics and law (wrongful convictions, eyewitness misidentification)
Psychology's Past and Present
- Psychology was once part of philosophy (ancient Greeks contemplated the mind)
- Formal psychology began in the late 19th Century
- Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology lab in 1879
- Studied the building blocks of the mind (structuralism) using introspection
Structuralism
- Founded by Wilhelm Wundt and E.B. Titchener
- Wundt considered a founder of structuralism
- Established the first psychology lab
- Understanding the structure and characteristics of the mind using introspection
- Emphasized systematic observation of consciousness
Theoretical Perspectives
- How behavior is explained
- Five primary schools of thought (Structuralism, Functionalism, Behaviorism, Cognitivism, Psychodynamic)
Functionalism
- Founded by William James—the first American psychologist
- Drawn from the purpose of cognitive process
- Established functionalism
- Focused on what the mind does and how behavior functions
- Influenced by the theory of natural selection
Psychodynamic Perspective
- Founded by Sigmund Freud
- Studied hysteria and neurosis
- Theorized many patient problems from the unconscious mind
- Could access unconscious mind through dream analysis
- Focused on the role of unconscious experiences on early childhood experiences
Behaviorism
- John B. Watson (considered the founder of behaviorism)
- Believed objective analysis of the mind is impossible
- Focused on observable behavior and ways to control it
- Used today in behavioral therapy and CBT
B.F. Skinner
- Focused on how behavior was affected by consequences
- Studied principles of modifying behavior using reinforcement and punishment (operant conditioning)
Cognitivism
- Founded by Piaget and Neisser
- Understands mental processes underlying thinking
- Thinking affects behavior (not about reward/punishment, but the interpretation)
Women in Psychology
- Social prejudice hindered women's participation
- Excluded from graduate programs
- Still only represent 28% of faculty at the highest rank
- Male professors earn an average of $5,000 more per year than female counterparts in Canada.
How We Know What We Know
- Authority
- Reason
- Observation
Intuitive Reasoning
- Basic principles of common sense
- Birds of a feather flock together. Opposites attract. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Out of sight, out of mind. You can't teach an old dog new tricks and never too old to learn.
Why Intuition Doesn't Always Trust Common Sense
- Naive Realism ("Seeing is believing")
- The Earth seems flat, but it is rotating 30 km/sec
- Understanding of common sense can differ from reality
Snap Judgments
- Snap judgments based on facial traits are 65% accurate in determining sexual orientation
The Scientific Method
- Approach used by psychologists (and other scientists) to systematically acquire knowledge about behavior
- Identify question of interest
- Formulate explanation
- Carry out research to support/refute
Scientific Theory
- Explanation for findings in the natural world
- Hypothesis = a testable prediction (eg., bystander effect)
Bias Awareness
- Confirmation bias: Seeking evidence that supports the hypothesis, while neglecting contrary evidence.
- Belief perseverance: Sticking to initial beliefs even when evidence is contradictory.
Examples of Confirmation Bias/Belief Perseverance
- Police investigations
- Political views
- Medical decisions
- Conspiracy theories
- Sports fandom
- Stereotyping
- Medical self-diagnosis
- Relationship conflicts
- Product reviews
Psychological Pseudoscience
- Imposters of science
- Set of claims that seem scientific but lack defenses from bias
Warning Signs of Pseudoscience
- Use of psychobabble (e.g., energy therapies)
- Lack of self-correction
- Overreliance on anecdotal evidence
- Extraordinary claims without extraordinary evidence
The Mozart Effect
- A claim that listening to Mozart's music improves cognitive ability in infants and children. (This is a pseudoscience)
Why We Are Drawn to Pseudoscience
- Patternicity: Tendency to detect meaningful patterns in random stimuli
- Finding comfort in our own beliefs
Pseudo-Profound Bullshit
- Seemingly impressive assertions that are presented as true and meaningful but are vacuous (meaningless)
Terror Management Theory
- We experience anxiety because of the inevitability and unpredictability of death
- To manage this anxiety, we seek worldviews that provide meaning, purpose, and continuity.
The Antidote for Pseudoscience
- Think scientifically
- Separate science from pseudoscience
- Avoid common logical fallacies
Common Logical Fallacies
- Emotional reasoning fallacy: Using emotions rather than evidence
- Bandwagon fallacy: Believing something is true because many people believe it
- Not me fallacy: Thinking that one doesn't have the same biases as other people
Dangers of Pseudoscience
- Opportunity cost (e.g., investing time, energy, and effort into questionable treatments)
- Direct harm
- Blocking critical thinking in one domain, which may spill over into other critical issues (e.g., stem cell research, GMOs)
Critical Thinking
- Set of skills to evaluate claims open-mindedly and carefully
- Key to the scientific method
- Thinking critically = thinking scientifically
- Not intuitive; requires overcoming biases
Six Principles of Scientific Thinking
- Ruling out rival hypotheses
- Correlation is not causation
- Falsifiability
- Replicability
- Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence
- Occam's Razor (simpler explanations are preferred)
Modern Psychology
- Experimental psychology (research focused)
- Clinical psychology (treatment, assessment, diagnosis, science-practitioner model)
Branches of Psychology
- Neuropsychology
- Child/developmental psychology
- I-O psychology
- Sports psychology
- Social/personality psychology
- Forensic psychology.
Psychology's Impact
- Basic research explores how the mind works
- Applied research utilizes research in everyday life to solve problems (e.g., perspective from ASD community on police interactions)
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge on the key concepts covered in the Introduction to Psychology course, PSYC 1010. This quiz will assess your understanding of the course structure, evaluations, and policies. Prepare to dive into the basics of psychology as taught by Dr. Alisha Salerno.
