27 May. 23
CH-1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology: the scientific study of behaviour and the mind.
1. Behaviour is actions and responses that we can directly observe.
2. Mind is internal states and processes thoughts and feelings – that
cannot be directly seen and must be concluded from observable,
measurable responses.
We cannot directly see people’s feelings of loneliness! We must
conclude how someone feels based on their behaviour and verbal
statement that they are lonely.
THINK CRITICALLY (p. 5)
Critical thinking includes active role in understanding the world around you! rather than passively receiving
knowledge. Consider how information fits into your life and society. assessing a claim's validity. Ask:
1. What are you asking me to believe?
2. How do you know? What is the evidence?
3. Are there other possible explanations?
4. What is the most reasonable conclusion and what other conclusions might there be?
5. Should you believe what you are told, and what you read?
PSYCHOLOGY AS BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCE (p. 6)
Basic research Applied research
Basic quest for knowledge purely for its own sake. Designed to solve specific, practical problems.
Most basic research is done in labs or outdoors with humans or animals. Psychologists who examine other
species try to find human behaviour principles. Psychologists create, administer, and evaluate therapies using
basic scientific knowledge to design, implement and assess interventions.
CLASSIC STUDIES: ROBBER’S CAVE AND THE JIGSAW CLASSROOM (p.7)
Muzar Sherif et al. (1961) studied intergroup animosity in a summer camp. Divided 11-year-old boys into
Eagles and Rattles.
1
Nigel Holt et al., 2023 (5.e)
, 27 May. 23
Hypothesis: competition creates intergroup hostility groups were made to go against each other.
Conclusion: true! conflict between groups were not reduced by having them watch a movie together.
Following hypothesis: cooperation to attain common goals reduces intergroup hostility groups cooperated
to get food by towing a stopped lorry with a rope to get it started. Conclusion: true! many new friendships
developed.
This study sought to understand intergroup conflict's fundamentals and thus, basic research. Eagles-Rattles
prejudice did not exist before. Researchers made it!
The jigsaw program was created and tested by Elliot Aronson et al. (1978) to desegregate schools. 5–6
youngsters prepare for a test (life of Abraham Lincoln). Each child learns about Abraham's youth, political
career, etc. Group members must assemble their information like a jigsaw puzzle to pass the test!
From these studies (Co-operative learning programs): children’s liking for one another generally
increases, prejudice decreases, and self-esteem and school achievement improve.
THE GOAL OF PSYCHOLOGY (p. 8)
1. To describe how people and species behave.
2. To understand the causes of these behaviours.
3. To predict how people and animals will behave under certain conditions.
4. To influence behaviour through the control of its causes.
5. To apply psychological knowledge in ways that enhance human welfare.
All these 5 goals can be seen in Sherif et al.,
(1961) and Aronson et al., (1978) studies!
PSYCHOLOGY’S BROAD SCOPE: A LEVELS OF ANALYSIS
FRAMEWORK (p. 8-9)
Psychologists explore several aspects, including
neuropsychological and biopsychological reasons,
to explain how people think, feel, and behave
ANALYSIS LEVELS.
2
Nigel Holt et al., 2023 (5.e)
CH-1: THE SCIENCE OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology: the scientific study of behaviour and the mind.
1. Behaviour is actions and responses that we can directly observe.
2. Mind is internal states and processes thoughts and feelings – that
cannot be directly seen and must be concluded from observable,
measurable responses.
We cannot directly see people’s feelings of loneliness! We must
conclude how someone feels based on their behaviour and verbal
statement that they are lonely.
THINK CRITICALLY (p. 5)
Critical thinking includes active role in understanding the world around you! rather than passively receiving
knowledge. Consider how information fits into your life and society. assessing a claim's validity. Ask:
1. What are you asking me to believe?
2. How do you know? What is the evidence?
3. Are there other possible explanations?
4. What is the most reasonable conclusion and what other conclusions might there be?
5. Should you believe what you are told, and what you read?
PSYCHOLOGY AS BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCE (p. 6)
Basic research Applied research
Basic quest for knowledge purely for its own sake. Designed to solve specific, practical problems.
Most basic research is done in labs or outdoors with humans or animals. Psychologists who examine other
species try to find human behaviour principles. Psychologists create, administer, and evaluate therapies using
basic scientific knowledge to design, implement and assess interventions.
CLASSIC STUDIES: ROBBER’S CAVE AND THE JIGSAW CLASSROOM (p.7)
Muzar Sherif et al. (1961) studied intergroup animosity in a summer camp. Divided 11-year-old boys into
Eagles and Rattles.
1
Nigel Holt et al., 2023 (5.e)
, 27 May. 23
Hypothesis: competition creates intergroup hostility groups were made to go against each other.
Conclusion: true! conflict between groups were not reduced by having them watch a movie together.
Following hypothesis: cooperation to attain common goals reduces intergroup hostility groups cooperated
to get food by towing a stopped lorry with a rope to get it started. Conclusion: true! many new friendships
developed.
This study sought to understand intergroup conflict's fundamentals and thus, basic research. Eagles-Rattles
prejudice did not exist before. Researchers made it!
The jigsaw program was created and tested by Elliot Aronson et al. (1978) to desegregate schools. 5–6
youngsters prepare for a test (life of Abraham Lincoln). Each child learns about Abraham's youth, political
career, etc. Group members must assemble their information like a jigsaw puzzle to pass the test!
From these studies (Co-operative learning programs): children’s liking for one another generally
increases, prejudice decreases, and self-esteem and school achievement improve.
THE GOAL OF PSYCHOLOGY (p. 8)
1. To describe how people and species behave.
2. To understand the causes of these behaviours.
3. To predict how people and animals will behave under certain conditions.
4. To influence behaviour through the control of its causes.
5. To apply psychological knowledge in ways that enhance human welfare.
All these 5 goals can be seen in Sherif et al.,
(1961) and Aronson et al., (1978) studies!
PSYCHOLOGY’S BROAD SCOPE: A LEVELS OF ANALYSIS
FRAMEWORK (p. 8-9)
Psychologists explore several aspects, including
neuropsychological and biopsychological reasons,
to explain how people think, feel, and behave
ANALYSIS LEVELS.
2
Nigel Holt et al., 2023 (5.e)
