PSY 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Behaviorism, Operant Conditioning Chamber, Max Wertheimer
Document Summary
Chapter 1 psychology, critical thinking & science. What it would take to show that a truth is false. Claims from an authority/claimed expert are not automatically accepted. Judging the quality of evidence is crucial (not quantity) Psychology: psyche: mind, logos: knowledge or study. The scientific study of behavior and mental processes: overt (directly observable, covert (cannot be directly observed) Goals of psychology: describe behavior(s, understand cause(s, predict, control a. Six basic elements: make scientific observations, define the problem, propose a hypothesis, gather evidence/test the hypothesis, theory building, publishing results. Scientific observation: empirical investigation, designed to answer questions. In a systematic way: pre-planned, results must be intersubjective, confirmed by multiple observers. Hypothesis: prediction, about the relationship between things or conditions: (variables) Theory: formed after hypothesis tested, a comprehensive explanation of phenomena. A good theory should: fit known facts, predict discoveries, be falsifiable, be most parsimonious. Edward titchener: introspection, structure of mental life (perceptions, mental chemistry.
