PSY 179- Week 4 PDF

22.10.2024 PSY 179- Critical thinking in Psychology Foundations of Psychological Science Today Scientific method in psychology Psychological science...

22.10.2024 PSY 179- Critical thinking in Psychology Foundations of Psychological Science Today Scientific method in psychology Psychological science 1  22.10.2024 Understanding the Basics of Psychological Science What is psychology? Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Importance of Psychology Helps us understand how humans think, feel, and behave. Critical thinking in psychology Essential for analyzing and evaluating information scientifically. Introduction to Psychology as a Science What comes to your mind when Person, term, you think of theory?......... psychology? 2  22.10.2024 The Freud Problem Common misconceptions due to Freud’s overrepresentation. Freud's fame has significantly shaped how the public views psychology, often leading to misconceptions. Many new psychology students are surprised to find out that less than 10 percent of American Psychological Association (APA) members focus on Freudian psychoanalysis. Modern psychology is diverse and not limited to Freud’s ideas. His research methods differ greatly from those used by modern psychologists. While Freud relied on case studies, which don't meet today's scientific standards, modern psychology emphasizes controlled experiments. Because of this, studying Freud's work might lead to misunderstandings about how psychological research is conducted today. 3  22.10.2024 The Diversity of Modern Various branches and subfields. Psychology American Psychological Association (APA) 54 divisions Some divisions represent specific subfields of psychology, like experimental, social, or clinical psychology, while others focus on particular topics such as aging, ethnic minorities, or trauma. Divisions of the American Psychological Association 27. Community Psychology 28. Psychopharmacology and Substance Abuse 29. Psychotherapy 30. Psychological Hypnosis 31. State Psychological Association Affairs 1. General Psychology 32. Humanistic Psychology 2. Teaching of Psychology 33. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 3. Experimental Psychology 34. Population and Environmental Psychology 5. Evaluation, Measurement, and Statistics 35. Psychology of Women 6. Behavioral Neuroscience and Comparative Psychology36. Psychology of Religion 7. Developmental Psychology 37. Child and Family Policy and Practice 8. Personality and Social Psychology 38. Health Psychology 9. Psychological Study of Social Issues 39. Psychoanalysis 10. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts 40. Clinical Neuropsychology 12. Clinical Psychology 41. Psychology and Law 13. Consulting Psychology 42. Psychologists in Independent Practice 14. Industrial and Organizational Psychology 43. Family Psychology 15. Educational Psychology 44. Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues 16. School Psychology 45. Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues 17. Counseling Psychology 46. Media Psychology 18. Psychologists in Public Service 47. Exercise and Sport Psychology 19. Military Psychology 48. Peace Psychology 20. Adult Development and Aging 49. Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy 21. Applied Experimental and Engineering Psychology 50. Addictions 22. Rehabilitation Psychology 51. Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity 23. Consumer Psychology 52. International Psychology 24. Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology 53. Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology 25. Behavior Analysis 54. Pediatric Psychology 26. History of Psychology 55. Pharmacotherapy Note: There is no Division 4 or 11. 56. Trauma Psychology 4  22.10.2024 Diversity in Modern Psychology A Wide Range of Field and Applications Various field of study: Psychology includes clinical, cognitive, developmental, social, and many other branches. Applications in everyday life: From improving mental health to optimizing workplace productivity. Interdisciplinary connections: Psychology connects with biology, sociology, education, and more. Implications of this diversity The variety within psychology means there are many different theories, each explaining specific aspects of behavior. This diversity makes it challenging to create one unified theory that covers everything. 5  22.10.2024 Psychology stands out from other behavioral fields by offering two key aspects; Unity in 1) its conclusions about behavior are based on Science scientific evidence. 2) its practical applications are developed and tested through scientific methods. Steps of the scientific method: Psychology Includes forming a hypothesis, and the conducting experiments, and analyzing results. Scientific Application in psychology: Method Psychologists use these steps to Applying test theories and validate findings. Rigorous Examples: Experiments on Processes to memory, perception, and social Study Behavior behavior follow this method. 6  22.10.2024 Understanding Psychology as a Scientific Discipline Psychology is fundamentally a data-based scientific study of behavior. This is its defining characteristic, and understanding this is crucial for thinking clearly about psychology. Some mistakenly believe that psychology isn't a science, a view often fueled by misleading claims. Pseudoscientific beliefs and the self-help industry contribute to confusion by promoting ideas that lack scientific evidence. Claims like "Lose weight through hypnosis" or "Learn French while you sleep" thrive in this environment. Psychology vs. Pseudoscience Recognizing the Differences What is pseudosicence?: Claims or beliefs that appear scientific but lack empirical support. Key differences: Psychology relies on evidence, while pseudoscience often relies on anecdote or untestable claims. Examples: Astrology and psychic readings are examples of pseudoscience often confused with psychology. 7  22.10.2024 What, then, is science? Science is Not About Subject Matter: Science is not limited by the topic it investigates. Any aspect of the universe, including human behavior, can be studied scientifically. Science is Not Defined by Tools: Science is not about specific equipment or tools like test tubes, computers, or lab coats. These tools are just part of the process. What defines science is its approach to understanding and observing the universe. Key Features of Science: Systematic Empiricism: Science relies on careful and systematic observation and experimentation. Public Knowledge: Scientific findings are shared publicly and subject to scrutiny. Solvable Problems: Science focuses on questions that can be investigated and answered through empirical methods. 8  22.10.2024 Systematic Empiricism in What is systematic empiricism?: It involves structured and methodical Psychology observation to gain knowledge. Unlike casual observation, it relies The Scientific Approach to on structured and methodical Observing Behavior approaches to gain knowledge about behavior. Role in psychology: Empirical methods are used to study thoughts, behaviors, and emotions scientifically. Theory-driven research: Observations are used to test theories and refine our understaning of psychology. The Role of Theory in What is a theory?: A set of principles that explains and predicts Psychological Research phenomena. Guiding Hypotheses and Importance in research: Theories Experiments guide the formation of hypotheses and the design of experiments. Examples: Theories of learning, such as behaviorism, guide educational research. 9  22.10.2024 Behavioral studies: Observing and measuring behaviors to Examples of understand psychological processes. Systematic Empiricism Experimental research: Using How Empirical controlled experiments to test hypotheses and theories. Methods are Used in Psychology Longitudinal studies: Tracking individuals over time to observe changes and development. Observation and measurement: Empirical Empirical research relies on systematic observation and Research in measurement of variables. Psychology Foundation Data-driven insights: Data collected through research informs theories and of Evidence- practical applications. based Practices Examples: Research on the effects of stress on health is rooted in empirical methods. 10  22.10.2024 Tackling Focus on testable questions: Psychology targets problems that can Empirically be measured and observed. Solvable Problems Use of experiments and surveys: Methods like experiments and How surveys help collect data on specific Psychology issues. Approaches Examples: Studies on sleep effects, Testable therapy outcomes, and memory enhancement. Questions Psychology and Evidence-Based Practice Integrating Research into Real-World Applications What is evidence-based practice?: Using the best available research to guide treatment and interventions. Importance in psychology: Ensures that practices are effective and grounded in solid evidence. Examples: Evidence-based therapies for anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. 11  22.10.2024 Examples of Psychological Theories Frameworks That Explain Behavior and Mental Processes Cognitive theory: Explains how we process information and how thinking influences behavior. Behaviorism: Focuses on observable behaviors and the role of reinforcement and punishment. Humanistic theory: Emphasizes personal growth and self- fulfillment. Importance of Replication in Psychology Ensuring Reliability and Credibility What is replication?: Repeating studies to verify results and confirm findings. Role in psychology: Helps establish the reliability of research outcomes. Replication helps confirm that a finding is reliable and not just the result of an individual researcher's mistakes or biases. Addressing issues: Replication addresses errors, biases, and enhances confidence in results. 12  22.10.2024 The Peer Review Process Maintaining Quality in Psychological Research What is peer review?: Evaluation of research by experts before publication. Purpose: Ensures the validity, significance, and originality of research. Benefits in psychology: Peer review helps maintain high standards and prevents the spread of flawed studies. Publicly verifiable knowledge Publicly verifiable knowledge refers to findings shared with the scientific community in a way that allows others to replicate, critique, or build upon them. Open science: Sharing data and methods openly to enhance transparency and reproducibility. 13  22.10.2024 Empirically Solvable Problems Focusing on Testable Questions in Psychology What are empirically solvable problems: Questions that can be tested and answered through observation and experimentation. Importance in science: Science progresses by focusing on problems that can be empirically tested. Examples in psychology: Studying the effects of therapy on anxiety, or how sleep affects memory. Are human beings inherently good or evil? What is the meaning of life? Science progresses by developing theories to explain specific phenomena, making predictions based on these theories, testing those predictions empirically, and then adjusting the theories as These are not empirical needed. This process can be summarized as: questions, meaning they theory → prediction → test → theory modification. fall outside the scope of In scientific terms, a "solvable problem" often refers to a "testable theory." scientific inquiry. For a theory to be testable, it must have clear implications for observable events in the natural world, which is known as the falsifiability criterion. 14  22.10.2024 Psychology vs. common sense Psychology is often misunderstood as common sense. It's a science because it uses empirical methods. Misconceptions arise due to its overlap with everyday experiences Why common sense isn’t always reliable Limitations of common sense: Common sense often relies on untested beliefs and personal biases. Scientific approach: Psychology tests ideas using evidence and systematic observation. Examples: Myths like ‘opposites attract’ are debunked through psychological research. Critical thinking is essential to evaluate psychological claims. Example: Distinguishing real psychological studies from 'pop psychology.' 15  22.10.2024 Common Beliefs vs. Empirical Evidence Low Self-Esteem and Aggression Popular Belief: Low self-esteem causes aggression. Empirical Evidence: Research shows no connection between low self-esteem and aggression; in fact, aggression is often linked to high self-esteem (Baumeister et al., 2003, 2005; Krueger et al., 2008). Common Beliefs vs. Empirical Evidence Self-Esteem and School Achievement Popular Belief: Low self-esteem leads to poor school performance. Empirical Evidence: The relationship is likely the opposite—high academic achievement leads to higher self-esteem, not the other way around. Key Takeaway: Common beliefs may not align with scientific findings. Empirical research often reveals different relationships than those assumed by popular opinion. 16  22.10.2024 Common Beliefs vs. Empirical Evidence The "10 Percent" Brain Myth: Popular Belief: We only use 10% of our brain power. Reality: This claim has no basis in cognitive neuroscience and is a persistent "psycho-fact"—a widely repeated falsehood accepted as truth (Boyd, 2008; Lilienfeld et al., 2010). Common Beliefs vs. Empirical Evidence Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain: Popular Belief: Certain personality traits are controlled by either the left or right side of the brain. Reality: Modern neuroscience shows that while the brain has specialized areas, the idea of strict left- brain or right-brain control of personality traits is incorrect. The brain works in an integrated manner (Lilienfeld et al., 2010; Radford, 2011). Key Takeaway: Common myths about brain function often lack scientific support and misrepresent how the brain actually operates. 17  22.10.2024 Summary so far… Diversity in Psychology: Psychology covers a wide array of topics, not always linked by common themes. Scientific Methods: What unifies psychology is its use of scientific methods to study behavior. Principles of the Scientific Method: 1.Systematic Empiricism: Uses structured and controlled observations. 2.Public Verifiability: Knowledge is shared and subject to peer review and replication. 3.Empirically Solvable Problems: Focuses on problems that can be tested and theories that can be verified. Psychology's Role: As a young science, psychology often challenges established "common sense," which can lead to resistance but also makes the field dynamic and engaging. Key Takeaway: Psychology's reliance on scientific principles allows it to test and question long-held beliefs, contributing to its growth and relevance. Introduction to Falsifiability A Key Concept in Scientific Psychology Solvable Problems: Scientists address problems that can be solved through testing. This is often referred to as dealing with a "testable theory." What is Falsifiability?: The ability of a theory to be tested and potentially disproven. Importance in science: Distinguishes scientific theories from non-scientific ones. Example: A theory must make predictions that can be tested against observations. 18  22.10.2024 Examples of Falsifiability Applying Falsifiability in Psychology Freud’s theories: Many of Freud’s ideas are criticized for not being falsifiable, as they cannot be tested objectively. Scientific theories: Good scientific theories, like those in cognitive psychology, make testable predictions. Hypothesis: Precise predictions based on theories, which are broader and more comprehensive explanations. Real-world application: Theories in psychology must be tested against observable data to be considered scientific. For a theory to be testable, it must be falsifiable, meaning it should make predictions that can be verified or refuted based on real-world observations. And we need to know not all confirmations are equal: We need to consider both the quantity and the quality of the evidence that supports a claim. 19  22.10.2024 Importance Mistakes are part of science: Errors help refine theories and of improve scientific understanding. Admitting Encourages open inquiry: Mistakes Admitting mistakes fosters an Learning environment of transparency and learning. and Role in psychology: Progress in Psychologists revise theories based on new data and better Science evidence. Falsifiability and Scientific Progress How Testing Theories Advances Knowledge Falsifiability drives progress: Allows science to discard false ideas and refine theories. Continuous testing: Scientific knowledge grows as theories are tested and updated. Psychology’s role: By testing psychological theories, the field improves its methods and findings. When scientists use terms like "mistake," "error," or "falsified," they are not suggesting that the theory is entirely wrong, but rather that it is incomplete or needs further refinement. 20  22.10.2024 Psychology and Scientific Skepticism Critical Thinking in Evaluating Claims What is scientific skepticism?: A mindset that involves questioning and testing claims before accepting them. Role in psychology: Helps distinguish between valid psychological theories and pseudoscience. Examples: Skepticism helps debunk myths like ‘learning styles’ which lack empirical support. Conclusion and Summary Key Takeaways Psychology as a science: Emphasizes the importance of systematic observation, testing, and theory. Critical thinking and skepticism: Essential for evaluating claims and distinguishing science from pseudoscience. Impact and applications: Psychology contributes to understanding behavior, improving mental health, and informing various fields. 21  22.10.2024 In class practice: Spot the Science: Falsifiability vs. Pseudoscience Statement 1: “People can lose Decide whether the weight through hypnosis alone.” statement is falsifiable Statement 2: “Memory (scientific) or improves when people sleep pseudoscientific. after learning.” Briefly explain why, focusing Statement 3: “Certain on whether the claim can be personality traits are controlled tested and potentially exclusively by the left or right side of the brain.” proven wrong. Statement 4: “Therapy can reduce anxiety symptoms in most people.” 22