...Children’s Theoretical Perspective on the Theory of Mind and False Beliefs on Social Cognition Questions seeking an answer to a missing piece, puzzled with things unknown, and bothering twisted thoughts. These are primordial stuff experienced by an individual leading to curiosity. Curiosity which makes every person motivated in finding an answers. The fact that curiosity about a matter will always be the starting point of a new development. One of the best examples is the children. As we can see, children are the most determine explorer because for them everything is a mystery. To discover simple unfamiliar objects, to meliorate their knowledge and to understand their environment are their major goals which we can identify as mediocre. The genuine truth about children is their capacity to understand someone even though they have minimal knowledge on how mental life processes goes through. They can easily figure it out when someone is motivated in acquiring their wants or goals. As a matter of fact, sometimes they can also distinguish what are the positive and negative emotions. On the other hand, they can also practice their false beliefs where they can hardly define between what is real and what is true. Furthermore, as we adults, we are more matured enough in thinking and behaving in all matter. We have the responsibility to modify what we perceive and to justify and stand on what we believe is right and wrong. Nevertheless, people talk too much; people think...
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...PhD Thesis 1998 Social, environmental and ethical factors in engineering design theory: a post-positivist approach Terence Love Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering University of Western Australia Social, environmental and ethical factors in engineering design theory: a post-positivist approach Terence Love B.A. (Hons) Engineering This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering 1998 Abstract This research investigated how social, environmental and ethical factors can be better included in theories of engineering design. The research focused on designing as an essentially human activity via consideration of the epistemological and ontological issues involved in constructing coherent design theory. The research investigations led to a clearer understanding of the roles of ontology, epistemology and methodology in design research and this clarification enabled the construction of a post-positivist approach to engineering design theory that better includes social, environmental and ethical factors alongside the existing products of scientific engineering design research. Other contributions to knowledge that emerged from the research process and which underpin the conclusions include; clarification of the terminology and basic...
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...PhD Thesis 1998 Social, environmental and ethical factors in engineering design theory: a post-positivist approach Terence Love Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering University of Western Australia Social, environmental and ethical factors in engineering design theory: a post-positivist approach Terence Love B.A. (Hons) Engineering This thesis is presented for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of The University of Western Australia. Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering 1998 Abstract This research investigated how social, environmental and ethical factors can be better included in theories of engineering design. The research focused on designing as an essentially human activity via consideration of the epistemological and ontological issues involved in constructing coherent design theory. The research investigations led to a clearer understanding of the roles of ontology, epistemology and methodology in design research and this clarification enabled the construction of a post-positivist approach to engineering design theory that better includes social, environmental and ethical factors alongside the existing products of scientific engineering design research. Other contributions to knowledge that emerged from the research process and which underpin the conclusions include; clarification of the terminology and basic...
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...In the first case, there is no room for intermediary cognitive processes between stimulus and response, outside the realm of simple associative learning. In the second case, there is lacking an explicit scientific means by which to objectively observe the theoretical cognitive mechanisms in question. However, E. C. Tolman was one of the first psychologists to suggest that intermediary cognitive processes could be deduced through the results of scientifically rigorous experimentation (Zentall, 2002). It is on this very basic proposition, that theoretical cognitive processes can be inferred by observing behavior, which most informs the developmental milestones in the formation of the cognitive perspective as a branch of psychology. Development of Cognitive Psychology The development of the cognitive approach as a mainstream psychological perspective is marked by four major milestones: 1) the shortfalls of the behaviorist perspective of psychology 2) the ability for abstract constructs to account for the aforementioned shortfalls 3) the bridging of abstract constructs with observable mechanisms through the medium of artificial intelligence and neuroscience 4) the realization that the representations and processes of cognition can be liken to the internal functioning of a computer. The behaviorism of the early 20th century could not account for many observable behaviors documented by psychologists of the time. For instance, the associative...
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...we can discover these representations and processes, albeit indirectly (Willingham, 2007). This approach proposes a consensus amongst B.F. Skinner’s cut-and-dry input²output relations and C.L. Hull’s hypothetical constructs and intervening variables. In the first case, there is limited access for intermediary cognitive processes among stimulus and response, independent from the domain of effortless associative learning. In the second case, there is lacking a definite scientific means by which to impartially observe the theoretical cognitive mechanisms at hand. Nonetheless, E. C. Tolman was one of the first psychologists to insinuate that intermediary cognitive processes could be determined through the results of scientifically meticulous experimentation. It is on this extremely complex proposal, that theoretical cognitive processes can be inferred by observing behavior, which most informs the developmental milestones in the formation of the cognitive perspective as a branch of psychology. Cognitive Psychology relates to developments, both past and present, in the investigation of the memory process, verbal communication, discernment, the ability to solve problems, and thinking in general. Essentially, cognitive psychology scrutinizes the ways in which individuals obtain and put into operation, data or information they have obtained from various sources. The discipline of cognitive psychology is directly interrelated to cognitive science and is inspired by fields of study such...
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...in the dynamic field of psychology is environmental psychology. As with all disciplines of psychology, environmental psychology has a variety of theoretical perspectives. Two such perspectives are evolutionary and behavioral. The following is an introduction to environmental psychology, a description of evolutionary and behavioral perspectives and their application in environmental psychology, as well as an examination of the importance of research in environmental psychology. Environmental psychology is a psychological discipline that examines the relationship between human behavior and the environment. Historically, environmental psychology developed into a discipline in the 1960s, with intent to understand the impact of physical environment on human behavior (Environmental Psychology, 2004). Alfred Adler was one of many theorists who had an elemental role in the developing discipline. Adler observed that an individual’s interpretation of the interaction of organismic and environmental variables significantly affected the personality (Stewart, 2007). His observations had an influential role in the emergence of environmental psychology. Present-day environmental psychology has expanded beyond personality development. Modern environmental psychology is grouped into five main areas of interests: spatial behavior, environmental cognition, environmental assessment, and environmental concern and resource management (Environmental Psychology, 2004). Environmental psychologists utilize...
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...psychology. This paper will cover four of the milestones that lead to the development of cognitive psychology. This paper will also cover why observable behavior is important in cognitive psychology. Development of Cognitive Psychology The development of cognitive psychology came about marked by different milestones that all paved the way for the cognitive perspective. One of the four major milestones that helped the development of cognitive psychology was behaviorism. Behaviorism as a perspective of psychology had its shortfalls such as not being able to account for all the experimental data that was being introduced (Willingham, 2007). The experimental data included studies in language and memory. Another drawback to behaviorism was that it was founded on the basic principle that psychology should only focus on that which was observable. Everything that was not observable, such as a person’s thoughts, was considered not important to behavior. The second milestone that this paper will cover is that abstract construct’s ability to account for the data shortfall mentioned in the first milestone. An abstract construct is a theoretical set of processes and representations that are useful in explaining some data (Willingham, 2007). Clark Hull was one of the people to work with abstract constructs. Hull defined the mechanism of reinforcement in terms of drive reduction, hypothesizing...
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...has a wide array of diverse concepts that influence its very nature, which is the study of mind and behavior in various organisms from the most primitive to the most complex. Diversity is recognizing the variety of characteristics that make individuals unique some of these characteristics are geographic background, religion, sexual orientation, economic background, ethnicity, education, gender, language, age, culture, marital/partnered status, and physical appearance. Psychology is the study of cognitions, physiology, emotions, personality, behavior, and theory. Two sub-disciplines of psychology are behaviorism and cognitive psychology. Behaviorism originated from the learning theory and uses concepts such as operant and classical conditioning. Cognitive psychology involves the scientific investigation of mental processes, such as memory, perception, attention, problem-solving, judgment, and decision making. Behaviorism Psychology The foundation of the behaviorist perspective is the learning theory. Learning refers to and enduring change in the way an organism responds based on its experience (Kowalski & Westen, 2009). Humans are naturally logical and rational thus making decisions and choices that make the most sense. A law of contiguity proposes that two events will become connected in the mind if they are experienced close together in time (such as a vehicle skidding and then crashing). The learning theory explores the behavioral concepts of associative learning...
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...Cognitive Personality Approach Introduction Psychology definition is the study of the human mind and human behaviors. It is an theoretical discipline and is applied science in which seeks the understanding of individuals and groups by establishing overall principles, along with researching specific form of cases. There are many different approaches to psychology such as humanist, behavioral, and cognitive. One must understand the cognitive approach before truly understand the cognitive personality approach. Cognitive psychology “is the scientific investigation of human cognition, that is, all our mental abilities – perceiving, learning, remembering, thinking, reasoning, and understanding”(Lu & Dosher, 2007, p. 1). As the term ‘cognition’ comes from the Latin word “cognoscere”. Cognitive psychology is the study in which how people obtain and apply knowledge or information to their everyday lives. It is a modern form that includes a set of new technologies in the field of psychological science. The study of human cognitive is traced back to Aristotle De Memoria in Hothersall in 1984. The overall concept of cognitive psychology began with the cognitive approaches to psychological issues in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s with the work of Wundt, Cattell, and William James. It claimed the first half of the approach during the 20th century with the behaviorism approach in cognitive psychology. Within this dissertation it will be covering different aspects of cognitive personality...
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...Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Sandra Hall PSY 410 - Abnormal Psychology May 6, 2013 Dr. Kristi Husk Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Psychology is a diverse discipline with many facets. Throughout the years, scientists have developed a variety of disciplines to understand and explain human behavior from their respective fields. One such development is the discipline of abnormal psychology. It is a relatively young discipline and consists of six core concepts. These concepts aid in the diagnosis of abnormal behavior, and includes various theoretical models to help understand psychopathology. The Origins of Abnormal Psychology and Its Evolution into a Scientific Discipline Andrew Colman defines abnormal psychology as “a branch of psychology devoted to the study of the classification, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and disabilities” (Colman, 2009, p. 2). The desire to understand human behavior and (mental) illness dates back to the Ancient Greeks. In 460 BCE, Hippocrates documented his first attempts to understand mental illness. He believed illnesses are the result of an imbalance of various bodily fluids. Hippocrates’ observations led to the development of the very first biological theory of mental illness and emphasized the importance of the observation of the patient’s symptoms rather than relying on religious beliefs (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Hippocrates’ findings began the progress of...
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...or subject. It is concerned with understanding the cognitions of the respondent with regards to a certain topic. IPA aims to investigate how the respondent makes sense of their personal and social worlds in terms of experiences and events, as cited in Smith and Osborn (2008), and what meaning these events may hold for them. It focusses on the perception of the respondent, rather than looking at an objective statement regarding a particular object or event. IPA has been contributing to psychological research as a qualitative research method for some time now. As cited in Smith et al (1999), health psychologists have used IPA as a means of analysing how patients make sense of their medical condition. It is useful when there are multiple patients with the same illness, but they may have completely different perceptions of it. IPA may help to illuminate certain themes that emerge from the patients. Health psychologists are also aware that when a patient is asked about their health, there is some cognition between what they think, what they say and their illness, as cited in Smith et al (1999). There are three underlying theoretical assumptions for IPA. The first of this is phenomenology, as cited in Smith et al, 1999. Phenomenology is when the main focus is on the experience in its own terms. It is the study of the experience from the respondent’s point of view, rather than from the role as a researcher. The second theoretical assumption is that it is interpretive. It does not look...
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...COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THREE COMMUNICATION FORMATS: ADVERTISING, INFOMERCIAL, AND DIRECT EXPERIENCE (2000). BY MANDEEP SINGH, SIVA K. BALASUBRAMANIAN & GOUTAM CHAKRABORTY Article review and analysis: 1 – Motivation, goals, contribution. 2- Context. 3 - Elaboration and illumination of theory and results. 4 - Critical review, limitations and further thought. Group: 3.08 Assignment Theoretical assignment Date: 5.11.2014 1 1. Motivation, goals, contribution The article aims at making a comparative analysis between three different communication formats used in advertising, and assess their relative effectiveness on a continuum. The three communication formats are direct experience (DE), television ads, and infomercials. The authors build on previous work to explain the similarities and differences of infomercials and ads / DE, and imply that it is interesting to examine the moderating / mediating effects each medium’s features has on consumer attitudes and intentions. (For example, length, persuasive intent, physical interaction, etc. – how does each effect consumer’s attitudes?). The reasoning behind the choice of these specific formats is that infomercials are a “natural” middle ground, as they combine both television advertisements and DE features (while, they assume beforehand, most likely closer to DE, which is also what they find in their experiments). The motivation for the study is twofold: novelty and useful practical implications. Novelty / research gap: Previous...
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...psychology. Subtopics develop from adaption to constant changes. Diversity is the reason for second opinions and different perspectives. People adapt so do the methods of treatment. Social and counseling psychology covers large areas in psychology and benefits from the behavioral and humanistic perspective. The want to deal common repression and knowing one’s biases is diversity; no one will understand completely another person pending if that person trusts enough to share experiences. Major Concepts in Psychology Under an exact perspective or viewpoint of psychology, the major concepts describe human behavior. Psychology reaps the benefits from a diverse disposition but does not have the union. Diverse thinking creates an extensive variety of thought but may reduce the focal point on a specific idea or fused theories. No two people will distinguish an occurrence the same sense. For example, a death of a family member may be hard for one person to make sense of but to another person the death may not be negative. The same goes for a psychologist or any clinician; a patient may receive a different diagnosis from a psychologist, especially with the overlapping in psychology. Diversity puts forth an energetic power on the major concepts in psychology (psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and humanistic) ("Career Planner", 1997-2012). These perspectives stand for different insights of human behavior, present an exceptional explanation to psychological difficulties, or a complete...
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...events have recently focused attention on the issue of prejudice; increasing ethno-nationalistic tensions in former Eastern block countries, racial conflict in the Middle East, Africa and intergroup conflict related to “ race debates “ in Europe, The U.S.A and Australia. Psychology is the only discipline, which over the past century has consistently and systematically investigated the issue of prejudice and race. Social psychology has a long tradition of empirical and theoretical research in this field and currently there are many social psychologists in Australia engaged in significant and timely research. This is no accident given the regions long and chequered history regarding race relations with the treatment of the Australian Aborigines has been likened to genocide. Currently there are a number of theoretical and conceptual psychological approaches, which both define and explain prejudice. Personality theories primarily locate race and prejudice within the intro-psychic domain of the individual. From this perspective, authoritarian-rearing practices, intolerance and intro psychic defence mechanisms are isolated as casual agents to a significant problem. There are several theories as to why people are prejudiced. The exploitation theory keeps a racial group in a subordinate social position. The scapegoating theory says that prejudice people believe that they are society’s victims. In this sense, exploiters abuse others and scapegoats feel they are being abused. Dr. Vance Locke...
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...language learning. The Behaviourist Approach The Cognitive Approach Linguistic Universals Social Models The Humanist Approach Some definitions of ‘theory’ Theory is a model or framework for observation and understanding, which shapes both what we see and how we see it. Theory allows the researcher to make links between the abstract and the concrete; the theoretical and the empirical; thought statements and observational statements etc. Theory is a generalised statement that asserts a connection between two or more types of phenomena – any generalised explanatory principle. Theory is a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condenses and organises knowledge about the world. Theory explains and predicts the relationship between variables. Some characteristics of ‘theory’ Theory guides research and organises its ideas. The analogy of bricks lying around haphazardly in the brickyard: ‘facts’ of different shapes and sizes have no meaning unless they are drawn together in a theoretical or conceptual framework. Theory becomes stronger as more supporting evidence is gathered; and it provides a context for predictions. Theory has the capacity to generate new research. Theory is empirically relevant and always tentative. Theories vs....
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