PSYC 1030H Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Confirmation Bias, Falsifiability, Stereotype

• School: Trent University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 1030H
• Professor: Brenda Smith- Chant

Document Summary

Predictions are generated: terms are given operational definitions to fit their experiments. Systematic methods are conducted and results are documented. Collection of anecdotes or appeals to authority does not count. Principle of falsifiability: statement of an idea that could be refuted or disproven by counterevidence. All people are vulnerable to confirmation bias: to look for and accept evidence that only supports our theories and assumptions. Secrecy is forbidden about anything: allows the studies to be properly replicated. Representative sample: people who accurately the larger populace in interest. Description of an individual based on careful obsv. Or formal psych tests: gives background info; dreams, childhood, fantasies, etc. Naturalistic observation: how people or animals act in normal social environments record systematically to avoid bias. Laboratory observation: more control, less variables, usually causes people to act differently bc of researchers/equipment. Psyc tests: evaluates personality traits, emotions, aptitudes, interests, abilities, etc, survey into a set of scores. Objective tests: measures beliefs, feelings, behaviours.