UNIT 0
Psychology as a Science
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind
and behavior, and how the mind influences behavior
Psychologists try to understand the reasons for
human thought, emotions, and behavior.
Hindsight Bias Confirmation Bias
• The tendency people have to assume that • people's tendency to process information
they knew the outcome of an event after by looking for, or interpreting,
the outcome has already been determined information that is consistent with their
• People overestimate the accuracy of thier existing beliefs
predictions
- "I knew it all along"
Overconfidence
• A cognitive bias that causes people
to overestimate their abilities and
knowledge, and underestimate the
demands of a situation
, The Scientific Method
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Design the Study
a. Operational Definition
b. Detailed Directions
4. Run the Study
5. Replicate
Theory: a research-based set of ideas that explains and predicts human
behavior, emotions, and thoughts.
• Based on:
- observations, questions, data, experience
Hypothesis: a testable prediction, about the relationship
between two or more variables.
Includes:
• the research question, independent variable, dependent variable,
the proposed relationship between the variables
Operational Definition: a statement of the procedures
(operations) used to define research variables.
Examples how you are measuring
• Human intelligence may be operationally defined as the variable?
what an intelligence test measures.
Replication: Repeating the essence of a
research study, usually with different
participants in different situations, to see
whether the basic finding extends to other
participants and circumstances.
Psychology as a Science
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind
and behavior, and how the mind influences behavior
Psychologists try to understand the reasons for
human thought, emotions, and behavior.
Hindsight Bias Confirmation Bias
• The tendency people have to assume that • people's tendency to process information
they knew the outcome of an event after by looking for, or interpreting,
the outcome has already been determined information that is consistent with their
• People overestimate the accuracy of thier existing beliefs
predictions
- "I knew it all along"
Overconfidence
• A cognitive bias that causes people
to overestimate their abilities and
knowledge, and underestimate the
demands of a situation
, The Scientific Method
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Design the Study
a. Operational Definition
b. Detailed Directions
4. Run the Study
5. Replicate
Theory: a research-based set of ideas that explains and predicts human
behavior, emotions, and thoughts.
• Based on:
- observations, questions, data, experience
Hypothesis: a testable prediction, about the relationship
between two or more variables.
Includes:
• the research question, independent variable, dependent variable,
the proposed relationship between the variables
Operational Definition: a statement of the procedures
(operations) used to define research variables.
Examples how you are measuring
• Human intelligence may be operationally defined as the variable?
what an intelligence test measures.
Replication: Repeating the essence of a
research study, usually with different
participants in different situations, to see
whether the basic finding extends to other
participants and circumstances.
