PSYC 2120 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Wilhelm Wundt, Social Animal, Normal Distribution

• School: York University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 2120
• Professor: Ward Struthers

Document Summary

2-6: social psychology didn"t become formal until 20th century, wundt is the father of psychology which is 100 years old, man is by nature a social animal artistotle 328 bc. Psychoanalytic theory: the hidden desires that guide behaviour. The four core assumptions of social psychology pg. People don"t always tell the truth: people are generally honest about certain things like their major or hometown but tend to be less honest about others like weight or gpa. Inaccurate explanations are common because people"s ability for introspection is very limited. Explaining behaviour using intuitive observation: cognitive misers: human tendency to avoid expending effort and cognitive resources when thinking and to prefer seizing on quick and easy answers to questions. The scientific method: systematizing the acquisition of knowledge pg. Experimental research outcome then back to the beginning: this process allows for more sophisticated theories to develop and provide increasingly accurate explanations of reality.