summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
,summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
, summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
Chapter 1 - Mind, Brain & Behavior
Mind: mental activity, memories, thoughts, perception
Brain: biochemical processes (gives rise to mind)
Behavior: observable human/ animal actions
Amiable skepticism: being open to new ideas & scientific findings that are not
supported by good evidence
• intuitive thinking can lead to errors
Critical thinking: systematically questioning & evaluating info using well-supported
evidence, using logic & reasoning
Common biases
1. Ignoring evidence/ confirmation bias: ignoring evidence not supporting
ones beliefs, but searching for ones that do
• selective sampling of info
2. Seeing casual relationships that do not exist: misperception that if 2 events
happened at the same time they are related → predictable-world bias
! 3. Accepting after-the-fact explanations: hindsight bias, seeing signs but
failing to predict future outcome
4. Taking mental shortcuts: following simple rules (= heuristics), making
quick judgments w/o extensive analysis→ heuristic bias
• availability heuristic: judging how common sth is based on how easily
we can recall similar events
5. Dunning-Kruger effect: people lacking ability to evaluate their
own performance in areas w little expertise, bc they wanna feel
good about themselves→ unawareness
Mind/body & nature/nurture problem
- Are the mind & body separate & distinct or is the mind simply the
subjective experience of ongoing brain activity?
- separation of mental life & body
Dualism: mind & body separate but intertwined (Descartes)→ rejected now: mind
arises from brain activity, cannot exist separately
- Are psychological characteristics biologically innate or acquired
through education, culture, experience?
origin of mental life Nature: innate ability
Nurture: acquired through education, exp, culture
Functionalism – William James→ mind too complex to be broken down to basic
elements
- Stream of consciousness: continuous series of thought
- mind has an adaptive purpose regarding env demands
Evolutionary theory – Darwin → natural selection
- adaptation vital for surviving & reproduction
- non adaptive changes are not passed along
, summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
Areas of specialization in Psychology
Clinical Mental illnesses
Cognitive Basic skills/processes as a foundation of
mental life & behav (attention, memory,
sensation & perception)
!
Cultural How cultural factors (geographical
regions, beliefs, money, religion) affect
behavior
Brain Imaging
Developmental Human development throughout the
- helps localization of mental activity & understand brain connectivity
whole lifespan
• EEG: measures changes in electrical activity
Health How psychological processes (stress,
• fMRI: measures changes in magnetic field through changes in blood
flow, while performing functions loneliness, optimism, social support)
affect physical health
Genetics & Epigenetics
Industrial/Organizational Psychological processes in workplace
- the human genome is the basic genetic code for human body
• Genetics: how single genes cause specific
Relationships Intimate relationships, properties that
behav
• Epigenetics: study of biological & env
make them succeed
influences or fail, & two-way
on gene expression, that
are not part of inherited genes effects
Social-Personality Everyday thoughts, feelings & behaviors
,summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
, summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
Chapter 1 - Mind, Brain & Behavior
Mind: mental activity, memories, thoughts, perception
Brain: biochemical processes (gives rise to mind)
Behavior: observable human/ animal actions
Amiable skepticism: being open to new ideas & scientific findings that are not
supported by good evidence
• intuitive thinking can lead to errors
Critical thinking: systematically questioning & evaluating info using well-supported
evidence, using logic & reasoning
Common biases
1. Ignoring evidence/ confirmation bias: ignoring evidence not supporting
ones beliefs, but searching for ones that do
• selective sampling of info
2. Seeing casual relationships that do not exist: misperception that if 2 events
happened at the same time they are related → predictable-world bias
! 3. Accepting after-the-fact explanations: hindsight bias, seeing signs but
failing to predict future outcome
4. Taking mental shortcuts: following simple rules (= heuristics), making
quick judgments w/o extensive analysis→ heuristic bias
• availability heuristic: judging how common sth is based on how easily
we can recall similar events
5. Dunning-Kruger effect: people lacking ability to evaluate their
own performance in areas w little expertise, bc they wanna feel
good about themselves→ unawareness
Mind/body & nature/nurture problem
- Are the mind & body separate & distinct or is the mind simply the
subjective experience of ongoing brain activity?
- separation of mental life & body
Dualism: mind & body separate but intertwined (Descartes)→ rejected now: mind
arises from brain activity, cannot exist separately
- Are psychological characteristics biologically innate or acquired
through education, culture, experience?
origin of mental life Nature: innate ability
Nurture: acquired through education, exp, culture
Functionalism – William James→ mind too complex to be broken down to basic
elements
- Stream of consciousness: continuous series of thought
- mind has an adaptive purpose regarding env demands
Evolutionary theory – Darwin → natural selection
- adaptation vital for surviving & reproduction
- non adaptive changes are not passed along
, summary psychological science 6th edition gazzaniga 978393640342
Areas of specialization in Psychology
Clinical Mental illnesses
Cognitive Basic skills/processes as a foundation of
mental life & behav (attention, memory,
sensation & perception)
!
Cultural How cultural factors (geographical
regions, beliefs, money, religion) affect
behavior
Brain Imaging
Developmental Human development throughout the
- helps localization of mental activity & understand brain connectivity
whole lifespan
• EEG: measures changes in electrical activity
Health How psychological processes (stress,
• fMRI: measures changes in magnetic field through changes in blood
flow, while performing functions loneliness, optimism, social support)
affect physical health
Genetics & Epigenetics
Industrial/Organizational Psychological processes in workplace
- the human genome is the basic genetic code for human body
• Genetics: how single genes cause specific
Relationships Intimate relationships, properties that
behav
• Epigenetics: study of biological & env
make them succeed
influences or fail, & two-way
on gene expression, that
are not part of inherited genes effects
Social-Personality Everyday thoughts, feelings & behaviors
