Psychological Science
The study of mind, brain, and behavior through research
Amiable skepticism
Open to new ideas, but wary if they aren’t supported by scientific research
Critical Thinking
The ability to systematically question and evaluate information using well-supported evidence
Reasoning
Using evidence to draw conclusions
Psychological Reasoning
Using psychological research to understand why people think a certain way, and to understand when and why they are likely to draw poor conclusions
Confirmational Bias
- finding merit in studies that support our beliefs
- not actively seeking out studies that don’t support our beliefs
- selectively sampling evidence or information from websites that have your same point of view
appeals to authority
When a source refers to their expertise rather than evidence
Bias- Source credibility
Failing to recognize a source that isn’t credible
personal experience v evidence
Misunderstanding or not using statistics
- we generally fail to use statistics when we interpret events around us
Seeing relationships that do not exist
- like wearing a favorite jersey to win a football match
- this can lead to superstitious behavior
- most times 2 events are merely a coincidence
Relative Comparisons: if you put it this way
- information that they receive first will shape their understanding of a topic
- prefer information that is positive
hindsight bias
- after the fact/event
- we try to find explanations for why events happen because we think the world has to make sense
