PSYCH 242 UIC STAHL EXAM 1
Tradition/Tenacity - Answers - We often infer what is true from the way things are
(culturally shared beliefs, norms, and conventions)
When traditions/norms are perceived as morally right, we are particularly tenacious
(moral conviction = fact)
Authority - Answers - "The boss says its true"
We often acquire knowledge by trusting authorities
Parents (e.g., Santa is real and lives at the North Pole)
Experts (e.g., the value of stock X will go up)
Intuition - Answers - "It feels right"
We often decide whether something is true or false by attending to how we feel about it
An opinion based on intuition is difficult to change
"It still feels right"
"The sun revolves around the Earth" (it feels right)
Rationalism - Answers - "It makes sense logically"
All crows are black (Major premise)
Behind my desk there is a crow (Minor premise)
Therefore, the crow behind my desk is black (Conclusion)
Conclusion is logical
All crows are black (Major premise)
Behind my desk there is something black (Minor premise)
Conclusion: Therefore, the black thing behind my desk is a crow (Conclusion)
Conclusion is not logical (all black things are not necessarily crows)
Great for theoretical (philosophical) work; but how do we know that the premises are
true (the connection to reality is missing)?
Empiricism - Answers - "I believe it when I see it"
If systematic observations suggest it is true, it is probably true
Empiricism effectively addresses rationalism's disconnect with reality
Behaviorism (the black box)
- What good is a list of observations if we have no coherent theoretical framework that
explains what the observations mean and how they hang together?
Science - Answers - "It makes logical sense and systematic observations back it up"
Science combines the principles of rationalism (logical reasoning / theory) and
empiricism (systematic observations)
Scientific knowledge is gained through:
Logically consistent theorizing (integrating previous knowledge)
Theoretically derived predictions
Systematic observations (using agreed upon methodology)
Skeptical/critical analysis of findings
, Verification of all claims (or rather, failure to falsify any claims)
Science vs. Common Sense - Answers - "Common sense" is in the eye of the beholder
(subjective)
Frequently based on tradition, authority, intuition
Even when based on logic and observation, "common sense" is unreliable.
How are observations made?
Haphazardly (Science: systematically)
How many observations are made?
Few (Science: many)
How are cases for observation selected?
Based on availability (Science: systematically)
To what extent are our conclusions subjected to critical review and revision?
Very rarely (Science: frequently)
Problem of psychology as the science of mental life - Answers - Structuralism and
Behaviorism both limitations.
Structuralism was limited by to what extent are people aware of, and able to accurately
report on, their mental life and how do we know that these reported conscious
experiences actually cause changes in behavior.
Behaviorism was limiting because Ignores the meat and potatoes of the subject matter -
the mental processes that (presumably) drive behavior
Stimulus -- mental processes -- Response
Modern: Restricted to observables, but still studies mental processes (motives, affect,
cognition)
Overt behavior
Response times (indicators of accessibility, controlled vs. automatic processing,
cognitive biases, etc.)
Physiological responses (indicators of motivation, affect, cognition)
Brain activity (e.g., fMRI, indicators of controlled vs. automatic processing, motivation,
affect)
Responses to survey questions (indicators of motivation, affect, cognition, behavioral
intentions)
Based on observable indicators we can infer what cognitive, motivational, and affective
processes are operating
The order of the research process - Answers - Idea-generating phase
Problem-definition phase
Procedures-design phase
Observation phase
Data-analysis phase
Interpretation phase
Communication phase
Idea-generating phase - Answers - Ideas come from many places
Tradition/Tenacity - Answers - We often infer what is true from the way things are
(culturally shared beliefs, norms, and conventions)
When traditions/norms are perceived as morally right, we are particularly tenacious
(moral conviction = fact)
Authority - Answers - "The boss says its true"
We often acquire knowledge by trusting authorities
Parents (e.g., Santa is real and lives at the North Pole)
Experts (e.g., the value of stock X will go up)
Intuition - Answers - "It feels right"
We often decide whether something is true or false by attending to how we feel about it
An opinion based on intuition is difficult to change
"It still feels right"
"The sun revolves around the Earth" (it feels right)
Rationalism - Answers - "It makes sense logically"
All crows are black (Major premise)
Behind my desk there is a crow (Minor premise)
Therefore, the crow behind my desk is black (Conclusion)
Conclusion is logical
All crows are black (Major premise)
Behind my desk there is something black (Minor premise)
Conclusion: Therefore, the black thing behind my desk is a crow (Conclusion)
Conclusion is not logical (all black things are not necessarily crows)
Great for theoretical (philosophical) work; but how do we know that the premises are
true (the connection to reality is missing)?
Empiricism - Answers - "I believe it when I see it"
If systematic observations suggest it is true, it is probably true
Empiricism effectively addresses rationalism's disconnect with reality
Behaviorism (the black box)
- What good is a list of observations if we have no coherent theoretical framework that
explains what the observations mean and how they hang together?
Science - Answers - "It makes logical sense and systematic observations back it up"
Science combines the principles of rationalism (logical reasoning / theory) and
empiricism (systematic observations)
Scientific knowledge is gained through:
Logically consistent theorizing (integrating previous knowledge)
Theoretically derived predictions
Systematic observations (using agreed upon methodology)
Skeptical/critical analysis of findings
, Verification of all claims (or rather, failure to falsify any claims)
Science vs. Common Sense - Answers - "Common sense" is in the eye of the beholder
(subjective)
Frequently based on tradition, authority, intuition
Even when based on logic and observation, "common sense" is unreliable.
How are observations made?
Haphazardly (Science: systematically)
How many observations are made?
Few (Science: many)
How are cases for observation selected?
Based on availability (Science: systematically)
To what extent are our conclusions subjected to critical review and revision?
Very rarely (Science: frequently)
Problem of psychology as the science of mental life - Answers - Structuralism and
Behaviorism both limitations.
Structuralism was limited by to what extent are people aware of, and able to accurately
report on, their mental life and how do we know that these reported conscious
experiences actually cause changes in behavior.
Behaviorism was limiting because Ignores the meat and potatoes of the subject matter -
the mental processes that (presumably) drive behavior
Stimulus -- mental processes -- Response
Modern: Restricted to observables, but still studies mental processes (motives, affect,
cognition)
Overt behavior
Response times (indicators of accessibility, controlled vs. automatic processing,
cognitive biases, etc.)
Physiological responses (indicators of motivation, affect, cognition)
Brain activity (e.g., fMRI, indicators of controlled vs. automatic processing, motivation,
affect)
Responses to survey questions (indicators of motivation, affect, cognition, behavioral
intentions)
Based on observable indicators we can infer what cognitive, motivational, and affective
processes are operating
The order of the research process - Answers - Idea-generating phase
Problem-definition phase
Procedures-design phase
Observation phase
Data-analysis phase
Interpretation phase
Communication phase
Idea-generating phase - Answers - Ideas come from many places
