PSYC 1F90 Chapter 1: PSYC 1F90 Chapter 1 Notes
12 Jan 2016
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Document Summary
Psychology- scientific study of behaviour and mental processes overt behaviours- directly observable actions and responses covert behaviours- private mental events like thinking or dreaming. Most commonsense statements work best after the fact. Another problem is that commonsense is often based on limited personal. Psychology is both a science and a profession. Commonsense wisdom is pure bs (before science) observations. Scientific observation is based on gathering empirical evidence (info gained from direct observation) Scientific observation is systematic (carefully planned); and their also intersubjective (can be confirmed by more than 1 observer) Research method: a systematic approach to answering scientific questions. Goal of psychologists is to benefit humanity and describe, understand, predict, and control behaviour. Description: in scientific research, the process of naming and classifying. Understanding: in psychology, understanding is achieved when the causes of a behaviour can be stated. Critical thinking (in psychology): a type of reflection involving the support of beliefs through scientific explanation.
