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Questions and Answers
What is a significant advantage of observational studies?
What is a significant advantage of observational studies?
Which statement accurately describes a disadvantage of case studies?
Which statement accurately describes a disadvantage of case studies?
What is the primary purpose of experimental methods in research?
What is the primary purpose of experimental methods in research?
Which of the following best defines the placebo effect?
Which of the following best defines the placebo effect?
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What distinguishes science from pseudoscience?
What distinguishes science from pseudoscience?
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What is a requirement for a between-subject design in experimental methods?
What is a requirement for a between-subject design in experimental methods?
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What describes the nocebo effect?
What describes the nocebo effect?
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Which of the following is a warning sign of pseudoscience?
Which of the following is a warning sign of pseudoscience?
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What is patternicity?
What is patternicity?
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Which of the following statements about observational studies is true?
Which of the following statements about observational studies is true?
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What distinguishes a within-subject design from a between-subject design?
What distinguishes a within-subject design from a between-subject design?
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Which of the following best describes 'emotional reading fallacy'?
Which of the following best describes 'emotional reading fallacy'?
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Why might people be persuaded by pseudoscientific claims?
Why might people be persuaded by pseudoscientific claims?
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What does the term 'opportunity cost' mean in the context of pseudoscience?
What does the term 'opportunity cost' mean in the context of pseudoscience?
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What is a common characteristic of pseudoscience?
What is a common characteristic of pseudoscience?
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Which fallacy involves the assumption that believing in something makes it valid?
Which fallacy involves the assumption that believing in something makes it valid?
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What does the third variable problem imply in correlation studies?
What does the third variable problem imply in correlation studies?
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Which principle of scientific thinking involves ruling out alternative explanations?
Which principle of scientific thinking involves ruling out alternative explanations?
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Why is correlation not equivalent to causation?
Why is correlation not equivalent to causation?
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What does it mean for a scientific claim to be falsifiable?
What does it mean for a scientific claim to be falsifiable?
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What distinguishes scientific scepticism from cynicism?
What distinguishes scientific scepticism from cynicism?
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Which statement best reflects a hallmark of scientific scepticism?
Which statement best reflects a hallmark of scientific scepticism?
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In evaluating the psychological claim that 'hugging infants can make them sleep better', which principle should be applied?
In evaluating the psychological claim that 'hugging infants can make them sleep better', which principle should be applied?
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What is the primary reason for conducting scientific scepticism?
What is the primary reason for conducting scientific scepticism?
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What is the primary function of the prefrontal cortex?
What is the primary function of the prefrontal cortex?
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Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating basic vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing?
Which part of the brain is responsible for regulating basic vital functions such as heartbeat and breathing?
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Which area of the brain is primarily involved in understanding language?
Which area of the brain is primarily involved in understanding language?
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What role does the amygdala play in emotional memory?
What role does the amygdala play in emotional memory?
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What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
What is the main function of the occipital lobe?
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Which lobe of the brain is primarily associated with spatial perception?
Which lobe of the brain is primarily associated with spatial perception?
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What is the cerebellum primarily responsible for?
What is the cerebellum primarily responsible for?
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Which structure in the brain acts as the sensory relay station?
Which structure in the brain acts as the sensory relay station?
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What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
What is the primary function of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)?
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What are the two types of matter found in the brain and their characteristics?
What are the two types of matter found in the brain and their characteristics?
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What process is characterized by the death of neurons and retraction of axons?
What process is characterized by the death of neurons and retraction of axons?
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What is the main advantage of using MRI scans for brain research?
What is the main advantage of using MRI scans for brain research?
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Which of the following best describes the term 'heritability' in behavioral genetics?
Which of the following best describes the term 'heritability' in behavioral genetics?
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Which neuroimaging technique is known for being invasive due to a radioactive substance?
Which neuroimaging technique is known for being invasive due to a radioactive substance?
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What best describes neuroplasticity?
What best describes neuroplasticity?
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What is a common method used to study the influence of genetics on psychological traits?
What is a common method used to study the influence of genetics on psychological traits?
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How do deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) differ primarily?
How do deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) differ primarily?
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What is the primary purpose of synaptogenesis in neuroplasticity?
What is the primary purpose of synaptogenesis in neuroplasticity?
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Study Notes
Science vs. Religion
- Science deals with testable claims, while religion deals with untestable claims.
- Science deals with nature, while religion deals with moral values.
Pseudoscience
- An imposter of science, making claims that can be tested but lack supporting evidence.
- Examples include astrology and self-help books.
- Misinformation from pseudoscience can mislead people.
Warning Signs of Pseudoscience
- Over-reliance on anecdotes, which are not scientific evidence.
- Meaningless psychobabble used to obscure the lack of scientific evidence.
- Claims of "proof" instead of "evidence."
Logical Fallacies in Pseudoscience
- Emotional reasoning fallacy: accepting or rejecting claims based on emotions rather than evidence.
- Bandwagon fallacy: assuming a claim is true because many people believe it.
- Not Me Fallacy: believing that biases do not apply to oneself.
Why Are We Drawn to Pseudoscience?
- Patternicity: the tendency to see meaningful patterns in random stimuli.
- Pseudoscience provides a sense of control over the uncontrollable.
Dangers of Pseudoscience
- Opportunity cost: missing opportunities due to believing in pseudoscience.
- Direct harm: physical or psychological damage caused by pseudoscientific practices.
- Inability to think scientifically: limiting critical thinking skills.
Scientific Thinking
- Scientific skepticism: evaluating claims with an open mind, demanding persuasive evidence before accepting them.
- Critical thinking: a hallmark of scientific skepticism.
Principles of Scientific Thinking
- Ruling out alternative explanations: Considering multiple possible explanations for an observation.
- Correlation vs. Causation: Understanding that correlation does not imply causation.
- Falsifiability: Scientific claims must be potentially disprovable.
- Parsimony: The simplest explanation is usually the best.
- Replicability: Findings should be reproducible by independent researchers.
- Extraordinary Claims Require Extraordinary Evidence: Extraordinary claims require more compelling evidence than ordinary claims.
Research Methods
- Case studies: In-depth examination of one person's life. Useful for formulating hypotheses but cannot generalize findings.
- Experimental methods: Used to determine causality; involves manipulating an independent variable to see its effect on a dependent variable.
Placebo and Nocebo Effects
- Placebo effect: A positive change in behavior due to the expectation of improvement.
- Nocebo effect: A negative change in behavior due to the expectation of harm.
Experimental Designs
- Between-subject design: Random assignment of participants to different groups with manipulation of the independent variable.
- Within-subject design: Manipulation of the independent variable within a single group of participants.
Brain Anatomy
- Frontal lobe: Responsible for executive functions, motor planning, language, decision-making, reasoning, and judgment.
- Parietal lobe: Involved in touch, perception, spatial awareness, and attention.
- Temporal lobe: Responsible for hearing, language understanding, and memory.
- Occipital lobe: Contains the visual cortex.
Subcortex Structures
- Basal ganglia: Controls movement.
-
Limbic system: The "emotional center" of the brain, responsible for emotional processing and memory.
- Thalamus: Sensory relay station.
- Hypothalamus: Regulates bodily functions, hormone levels, and motivational behaviors.
- Amygdala: Modulates memories based on feelings, especially fear.
- Hippocampus: Responsible for conscious memories and spatial memory.
Cerebellum
- "Little brain," responsible for balance, coordination, and motor learning.
Brainstem
- Connects the brain to the spinal cord.
- Midbrain: Involved in movement, visual tracking, and auditory reflexes.
- Pons: Plays a role in sleep, dreaming, and communication between the cortex and cerebellum.
- Medulla: Regulates vital functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and vomiting. Damage can cause brain death.
Grey Matter and White Matter
- Grey matter: Contains cell bodies and dendrites of neurons.
- White matter: Contains axons and myelinated sheaths.
Protection of the Brain
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): Cushions the brain and spinal cord.
- Meninges: Thin membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Neuroplasticity
- The brain's ability to change over time in response to learning, treatment, or damage.
- Synaptogenesis: Formation of new synapses.
- Synaptic pruning: Removal of unused neural connections.
- Myelination: Insulating axons for faster communication.
Neuroimaging Techniques
- MRI scans: Non-invasive method for studying brain structure and function.
- PET scans: Measures brain activity using radioactive substances.
Brain Stimulation Techniques
- Deep brain stimulation (DBS): Implants electrodes in the brain to provide electrical stimulation.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): Uses magnetic fields to stimulate or interrupt brain function.
Behavioral Genetics
- Examines the influence of genes and environment on psychological traits.
- Heritability: The percentage of variability in a trait due to genes.
- Family studies, Twin studies, Adoption studies: Methods used to investigate nature vs. nurture.
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Description
Explore the intriguing differences between science and religion, and understand the deceptive nature of pseudoscience. This quiz also covers warning signs of pseudoscience and logical fallacies that can mislead individuals. Test your knowledge on these crucial topics!
