PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Scientific Literacy, Biopsychosocial Model, Gestalt Psychology
Document Summary
Scientific method: a way of learning about the world through collecting observations, proposing explanations for the observations, developing theories to explain them, and using the theories to make predications. Psychology: as the scientific study of behavior, thought and experience. Hypothesis: a testable prediction about processes that can be observed and measured. Pseudoscience: refers to ideas that are presented as science but do not actually utilize basic principles of scientific thinking or procedure. Theory: an explanation for a broad range of observations that also generates new hypotheses and integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole. Bio-psychosocial model: a means of explaining behavior as a product of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors. Scientific literacy: the ability to understand, analyze and apply scientific information. Critical thinking: involves exercising curiosity and skepticism when evaluating the claims of others, and with our own assumptions and beliefs. Empiricism: a philosophical tenet that knowledge comes through experience.
