Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which statement correctly differentiates scientific psychology from pseudoscience?
Which statement correctly differentiates scientific psychology from pseudoscience?
- Scientific psychology avoids peer review, while pseudoscience embraces it.
- Scientific psychology demonstrates emotional reasoning, while pseudoscience relies on logical reasoning.
- Scientific psychology is based on measurable claims, while pseudoscience often makes unmeasurable claims. (correct)
- Scientific psychology typically disregards previous research, while pseudoscience builds on established findings.
What is a common misconception about schizophrenia as per popular psychology?
What is a common misconception about schizophrenia as per popular psychology?
- People with schizophrenia are dangerous and violent.
- Schizophrenia is only found in adults.
- Schizophrenia can be easily cured with medication.
- Individuals with schizophrenia always exhibit multiple personalities. (correct)
What is a characteristic of pseudoscience when presenting claims?
What is a characteristic of pseudoscience when presenting claims?
- Pseudoscience mostly avoids emotional content in its arguments.
- Pseudoscience consistently provides detailed research outcomes.
- Pseudoscience typically uses ambiguous and non-specific language. (correct)
- Pseudoscience often builds on established scientific theories.
Which reasoning method is associated with pseudoscience?
Which reasoning method is associated with pseudoscience?
Which statement about the popular psychology industry is true?
Which statement about the popular psychology industry is true?
What term describes claims that cannot be measured scientifically?
What term describes claims that cannot be measured scientifically?
Which of the following is an indication that a claim is likely pseudoscientific?
Which of the following is an indication that a claim is likely pseudoscientific?
What is a notable claim often misrepresented in popular psychology regarding brain usage?
What is a notable claim often misrepresented in popular psychology regarding brain usage?
What is the primary goal of psychology according to the content provided?
What is the primary goal of psychology according to the content provided?
Which component of the scientific method emphasizes gathering information in a precise and error-free manner?
Which component of the scientific method emphasizes gathering information in a precise and error-free manner?
What does skepticism in the scientific process entail?
What does skepticism in the scientific process entail?
How do good scientists maintain objectivity in their work?
How do good scientists maintain objectivity in their work?
What is meant by open-mindedness in scientific research?
What is meant by open-mindedness in scientific research?
Which of the following statements reflects a common misconception in understanding human behaviour?
Which of the following statements reflects a common misconception in understanding human behaviour?
What distinguishes scientific conclusions from those based on common sense?
What distinguishes scientific conclusions from those based on common sense?
Which of these statements would be considered a weakness of relying on common sense to understand human behavior?
Which of these statements would be considered a weakness of relying on common sense to understand human behavior?
What psychological mechanism causes individuals to see meaningful patterns in random stimuli?
What psychological mechanism causes individuals to see meaningful patterns in random stimuli?
Why do individuals often accept pseudoscience according to the content?
Why do individuals often accept pseudoscience according to the content?
What is the emotional reasoning fallacy?
What is the emotional reasoning fallacy?
Which fallacy involves thinking that one is immune to making errors because of exposure to scientific methods?
Which fallacy involves thinking that one is immune to making errors because of exposure to scientific methods?
What is one of the dangers of pseudoscience mentioned in the content?
What is one of the dangers of pseudoscience mentioned in the content?
What approach do scientists take when conducting research?
What approach do scientists take when conducting research?
What causes common misconceptions about reality in regards to psychology?
What causes common misconceptions about reality in regards to psychology?
What is a consequence of following pseudoscientific practices regarding animal treatment?
What is a consequence of following pseudoscientific practices regarding animal treatment?
What is one consequence of naïve realism as described in the content?
What is one consequence of naïve realism as described in the content?
Which cognitive bias involves the tendency to only seek out information that confirms existing beliefs?
Which cognitive bias involves the tendency to only seek out information that confirms existing beliefs?
What does the availability heuristic lead individuals to emphasize?
What does the availability heuristic lead individuals to emphasize?
What is one way common sense can be beneficial, according to the content?
What is one way common sense can be beneficial, according to the content?
Which bias refers to the overestimation of one's ability to predict past outcomes?
Which bias refers to the overestimation of one's ability to predict past outcomes?
What is indicated as a danger of relying solely on intuitive thought?
What is indicated as a danger of relying solely on intuitive thought?
Which heuristic describes placing items in the same category based on superficial similarities?
Which heuristic describes placing items in the same category based on superficial similarities?
What can help individuals become more informed decision-makers?
What can help individuals become more informed decision-makers?
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Study Notes
Popular Vs Science Psychology
- Popular psychology often misinforms the public, and it's important to distinguish between scientific and unscientific claims.
Pseudoscience
- Pseudoscience appears to be science but isn't. It cannot be measured scientifically
- Pseudoscience claims are often overstated and tend to avoid peer review.
Why We Believe In Pseudoscience
- We process information rationally and emotionally.
- Fears about life can lead us to pseudoscience for hope.
- Many are scientifically illiterate, making them vulnerable to pseudoscience.
- Our brains seek patterns, but this can lead to finding patterns that aren't there.
Thinking Traps
- Emotional reasoning fallacy: using emotions to evaluate information.
- Bandwagon fallacy: believing something because many believe it.
- Either-or fallacy: falsely reducing complex issues to two options.
- Not me fallacy: believing we're immune to errors because we're familiar with science.
The Dangers of Pseudoscience
- Pseudoscience can be costly for consumers who seek it instead of effective treatments.
- Pseudoscience can lead to animal deaths, especially in ineffective treatments.
- Pseudoscience can directly harm individuals through ineffective treatments.
Why Do Psychological Research?
- Psychologists conduct research to understand human behavior.
- Psychological research is scientific.
Science
- Science is an approach to evidence, not just bodies of knowledge.
- Scientists are open in sharing findings and seek objectivity to avoid biases.
The Scientific Method
- This approach uses hypotheses, data collection, and explanation of data.
- Scientists use phrases like "suggests," "appears," and "raises the possibility" to emphasize the need for verification.
- The Scientific method values accuracy, objectivity, skepticism, and open-mindedness.
Psychology and Common Sense
- While common sense can be helpful, it's not always scientifically accurate.
- Intuition can be flawed and our "naïve realism" can lead us to trust it blindly.
Errors Made When Using Common Sense
- Cognitive biases: logical errors in thinking.
- Confirmation bias: favoring information that confirms existing beliefs.
- Belief perseverance: holding onto beliefs despite evidence to the contrary.
- Hindsight bias: overestimating the predictability of past events.
- Overconfidence: overestimating our ability to make accurate predictions.
- Heuristics: mental shortcuts.
- Representative heuristic: classifying things based on superficial similarity.
- Availability heuristic: overestimating memorable events as more likely.
Scientific Method vs. Common Sense
- While common sense can offer helpful insights, it's important to be cautious and recognize its limitations.
- Critical thinking skills help us distinguish between reliable and misleading information.
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