Introduction to Psychology A Scientific Discipline Prof. Jan Lauwereyns

Look under “Classes” Check “Psychology”

The odds are the same, but people choose different actions... Why?

The odds are the same, but people choose different actions... Why? fMRI data blood flow in the brain

The odds are the same, but people choose different actions... Why? fMRI data blood flow in the brain

The odds are the same, but people choose different actions... Why?

The odds are the same, but people choose different actions... Why? Loss aversion

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Reaction Time GREEN The Stroop effect

Reaction Time GREEN The Stroop effect

Reaction Time GREEN XXXXX The Stroop effect

Reaction Time GREEN XXXXX facilitation The Stroop effect

Reaction Time GREEN XXXXX facilitation inhibition The Stroop effect

Stimulus-Response Compatibility

The scientific approach Limitations of intuition and authority Skepticism, science and the empirical approach Cumulative knowledge Integrating intuition, skepticism and authority

Karl Popper, All Life is Problem Solving (1999) from (PS 1 ) Problem Situation to (TT) Tentative Theories to (EE) Error Elimination to (PS 2 )...more and more interesting problems

The Goals of Science Description of behavior –Careful observation; follow a protocol Prediction of behavior –Prediction & anticipation makes for prevention, intervention… Determining the causes of behavior –Temporal precedence –Co-variation of cause and effect –Alternative explanations Explanation of behavior –Deep questions (why?!)

Hypotheses & Predictions From Hypothesis to Prediction –Put ideas in something like a formula –A statement about something that may be true –Turn into a prediction ready for testing Hypothesis: “Dopamine is a neurotransmitter related to reward” Prediction: “Dopamine neurons will be more active in case of a large reward than in case of a small reward”

Hypotheses & Predictions Hypothesis: “A brain-dead person has no consciousness” Prediction: “A brain-dead person cannot respond to sensory stimuli of any kind” (… but what about stories of people who came back from a deep coma, and claimed they heard what people were saying?) (... What is a convincing test?) Supporting versus proving…

Null hypothesis H 0 – The means of different conditions are equal – A very precise statement Research hypothesis H 1 – The means are in fact different – The power of statistics

My favorite experiments Try to understand the design What do they manipulate? Independent variables What do they measure? Dependent variables What can you conclude?

Effects of methamphetamine (METH) (speed)

Effects of methamphetamine (METH) (speed) Strength