IB PSYCHOLOGY-Learning outcomes: 1.1

Psychology is the scientific (systematic and controlled) study of mental processes (E.

G. memory, attention, emotion, attitude) and behaviour (E.G. aggression) and how internal processes (E.G. genes, hormones) and the environment (surroundings) affect them.

Psychology is a scientific discipline because it is a systematic and controlled study of human behaviour, with the hope of establishing cause-and-effect relationships or describing behaviour.

"common-sense psychology" = understanding people we make sense of people based on our beliefs, motives, love or childhood experiences.

Theoretical explanation = no scientific proof Empirical investigation = proved

Biological level -physiology and genetics Cognitive level -mental processes (E.G. memory, thinking, perception, attention) Sociocultural level -how environment and culture affect behaviour or thinking

Evaluating a theory you critic what sort of evidence it is based on points to consider: what sampling techniques are used? what environment was the study taking place in? where the participants asked to do unnatural things? how was the study supported or questioned by the studies? did the study have practical relevance? ethical consideration?