PSYC 100 Chapter Notes -Neurology, Evolutionary Psychology, Radical Behaviorism
10 Dec 2012
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Definition: the scientific study of behaviour and the mind (mental processes) Behaviour is observable and can be measured - eg actions and responses. Mind is the internal states that cannot be seen directly and must be inferred from observable responses - eg thoughts and feelings. Critical thinking is the ability and willingness to asses claims and make objective judgements on the basis of well-supported reasons and evidence rather than emotion or anecdote. Critical thinking involves taking an active role in understanding the world, rather than merely receiving information. It also means evaluating the validity of something presented to you as fact. Steps: wonder: be willing to ask questions, define: clearly define the terms that are being used. Psychological research (p. 3: basic research: reflects the quest for knowledge purely for its own sake (fundamental research on how the brain operates) This is basic research because its goal was to discover general principles of intergroup conflict, not to solve some pre-existing problems.
