PSY 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: John Stuart Mill, Wilhelm Wundt, Confirmation Bias
21 Feb 2017
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Document Summary
The study, through research, of mind, brain, and behavior. Critical thinking -- systematically questions and evaluates information using well-supported evidence. A savvy consumer of scientific research practices amiable skepticism. Claims to be based on science, but can also be hype. Refers to using psychological research to examine how people typically think in order to understand when and why they are likely to think that way. Noncritical thinking can lead to erroneous conclusions. Confirmation bias -- ignoring evidence; failing to accurately judge source credibility. Self-serving bias -- failing to see own shortcomings. Discarding evidence to make own point of view seem right. People who are unaware of their weaknesses fail to make any efforts at self- improvement. Kruger and dunning have shown that teaching people specific skills helps them to be more accurate in judging their performance. Self-awareness may help people in identifying their weaknesses so they can fix them. Controlled clinical trial -- subjects chosen at random.
