PSYA01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Biopsychosocial Model, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Pseudoscience
Document Summary
Psychology: the scientific study of behaviour, thought, and experience, and how they can be affected by physical, mental, social, and environmental factors. Hypothesis: a testable prediction about processes that can be observed and measured; can be supported or rejected (you do not have to prove a hypothesis), and it must be testable. Confirmed hypotheses lead to new ones and strengthen theories. Rejected hypotheses are revised and tested again, and can potentially alter an existing theory. Pseudoscience: an idea that is presented as science but does not actually utilize basic principles of scientific thinking or procedure. Example: astrology is an easy target for criticism because they make very general predictions and want you to just take their word for it. Theory: an explanation for a broad range of observations that also generates new hypothesis and integrates numerous findings into a coherent whole; general principles or explanations of some aspect of the world (including human behaviours)
