PSYC 201W Chapter Notes - Chapter 1-3: Search Engine Strategies, Psychological Bulletin, Illusory Correlation
Document Summary
A problem with intuition is that numerous cognitive and motivational biases affect our perceptions, and so we may draw erroneous conclusions about cause and effect (p. 4) A cognitive bias called illusory correlation occurs when we focus on two events that stand out and occur together. Aristotle said we are more likely to be persuaded by a speaker who seems prestigious, trustworthy, and respectable than by one who lacks such qualities. The scientific approach rejects the notion that one can accept on faith the statements of any authority. Falsifiability ideas that can be falsified by data. If an idea is falsified when tested, it is also advanced because this result will spur the development of new and better ideas. Basic research tries to answer fundamental questions about the nature of behavior. Applied research is conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions.