scholarly journals The road to Nobel prize is paved with the conceptualisations of rationality from homo economicus to homo heuristicus

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-162
Author(s):  
Bojana Stajkic ◽  
Kaja Damnjanovic
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Cognitive System ◽  
Ecological Rationality ◽  
Homo Economicus ◽  
Normative Approach ◽  
The Road ◽  
Psychological Models ◽  
Optimization Under Constraints

In this paper we present the main psychological conceptions of rationality: unbounded rationality, bounded rationality, optimization under constraints, and ecological rationality. We show how these concepts directed the research questions, and how they shaped psychological models of complex cognitive processes. In its symbolic tradition, for more than a century, the psychology, as a fundamental cognitive science, has been focused on the question of how the environment is represented in the cognitive system, how the cognitive system operates with those information, and, ultimately, what are the outcomes of these processes. The basis on which the research efforts focusing on complex cognitive processes, such as judgment, decision-making, and reasoning - are rooted in is the stance of authors, and psychological models regarding rationality. The conceptualizations of rationality are, at the beginning of the psychological research, implicit, because they are taken from a normative approach, and the research focus is on the outcome of cognitive processes, while the functions and the processes themselves are neglected. Later, as the research diverge from the normative approach, the psychological conceptualization of rationality becomes more explicit and subjective, and more nested in the environment, and the empirical studies aim to describe the structure and dynamics of complex cognitive processes.

From Selz to Gigerenzer: A thought-psychological research history, which needs a Popperian, fallibilist theory of rationality to effectively develop

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Wettersten
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Science ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Karl Popper ◽  
Thought Processes ◽  
Herbert Simon ◽  
Research History

Two sharply separated traditions in the philosophy of science and in thought psychology began with Otto Selz’s psychology. The first tradition began with Karl Popper; it has been developed by many others. The developers of the second tradition have included Julius Bahle, Adriaan de Groot, Herbert Simon, and Gerd Gigerenzer. The first tradition has ignored empirical studies of thought processes. The second tradition is widely based on Simon’s inductivist philosophy. The first tradition can be improved by integrating empirical studies of rationality into its research. The second tradition can be improved by replacing its inductivist assumptions with a fallibilist framework.

scholarly journals An N-Pact Factor for Clinical Psychological Research

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen Wade Reardon ◽  
Avante J Smack ◽  
Kathrin Herzhoff ◽  
Jennifer L Tackett
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Statistical Power ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Medium Effect Size ◽  
One Step ◽  
Hard To Reach Populations ◽  
Self Examination ◽  
Adequate Sample Size

Although an emphasis on adequate sample size and statistical power has a long history in clinical psychological science (Cohen, 1992), increased attention to the replicability of scientific findings has again turned attention to the importance of statistical power (Bakker, van Dijk, & Wicherts, 2012). These recent efforts have not yet circled back to modern clinical psychological research, despite the continued importance of sample size and power in producing a credible body of evidence. As one step in this process of scientific self-examination, the present study estimated an N-pact Factor (the statistical power of published empirical studies to detect typical effect sizes; Fraley & Vazire, 2014) in two leading clinical journals (the Journal of Abnormal Psychology; JAP, and the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology; JCCP) for the years 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015. Study sample size, as one proxy for statistical power, is a useful focus because it allows direct comparisons with other subfields and may highlight some of the core methodological differences between clinical and other areas (e.g., hard-to-reach populations, greater emphasis on correlational designs). We found that, across all years examined, the average median sample size in clinical research is 179 participants (175 for JAP and 182 for JCCP). The power to detect a small-medium effect size of .20 is just below 80% for both journals. Although the clinical N-pact factor was higher than that estimated for social psychology, the statistical power in clinical journals is still limited to detect many effects of interest to clinical psychologists, with little evidence of improvement in sample sizes over time.

scholarly journals Atheists

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Schiavone ◽  
Will M Gervais
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Cultural Origins ◽  
Made In ◽  
Do So

Atheists represent an inconspicuous minority, identifiable only by their disbelief in God(s). Despite being highly stigmatized and disliked, until recent scientific endeavors, little has been known about this group including why they don’t believe, how many people are atheists, and why they trigger intense reactions. Thus, this paper aims to synthesize what is known about atheists (so far), and to help explain the widespread negative attitudes and prejudice towards atheists; the possible cognitive, motivational, and cultural origins of disbelief; and the unique challenges facing the study of religious disbelievers. To do so, we will explore current findings in psychological research on atheism by considering the complex interactions of cultural learning, motivations, and core cognitive processes. Although significant scientific progress has been made in understanding the factors underlying atheism, there remains much to be explored in the domain of religious disbelief.

A Ghost in the Machine

2020 ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
Thomas Boraud
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Functional Mri ◽  
Motor Function ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Visual Discrimination ◽  
Visual Area ◽  
Temporal Area ◽  
Normative Approach ◽  
Electrophysiological Activity

This chapter describes the neurobiological approach of decision-making. Until the late 1980s, ignoring the work of experimental economists and behaviourists, electrophysiologists restricted themselves to the study of sensory and motor function, believing it to be impossible for them to access cognitive processes. In 1989, William Newsome and Anthony Movshon broke the dogma while studying the role of neurons in the medio-temporal area of the cortex (an associative visual area) in the visual discrimination of macaques. They became the first researchers who were able to correlate decision-making with a pattern of electrophysiological activity in neurons. This correlation, which they called psychometric–neurometric pairing, became the backbone of all subsequent studies into the neurobiology of decision-making. The chapter then looks at the development of functional MRI, and presents a normative approach to decision-making and learning.

Verbal hallucinations and language production processes in schizophrenia

1986 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph E. Hoffman
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Language Production ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
External Source ◽  
Critical Feature ◽  
Cognitive States ◽  
Sensory Features ◽  
Verbal Imagery

AbstractHow is it that many schizophrenics identify certain instances of verbal imagery as hallucinatory? Most investigators have assumed that alterations in sensory features of imagery explain this. This approach, however, has not yielded a definitive picture of the nature of verbal hallucinations. An alternative perspective suggests itself if one allows the possibility that the nonself quality of hallucinations is inferred on the basis of the experience of unintendedness that accompanies imagery production. Information-processing models of “intentional” cognitive processes call for abstract planning representations that are linked to goals and beliefs. Unintended actions - and imagery - can reflect planning disruptions whereby cognitive products do not cohere with concurrent goals. A model of schizophrenic speech disorganization is presented that postulates a disturbance of discourse planning. Insofar as verbal imagery can be viewed as inwardly directed speech, a consequence of such planning disturbances could be the production of unintended imagery. This link between the outward disorganization of schizophrenic speech and unintended verbal imagery is statistically supported by comparing the speech behavior of hallucinating and nonhallucinating schizophrenics. Studies of “borderline” hallucinations during normal, “goal-less” relaxation and drowsiness suggest that experiential unintendedness leads to a nonpathological variant of hallucinatory otherness that is correctable upon emerging from such passive cognitive states. This contrasts with the schizophrenic case, where nonconcordance with cognitive goals reinforces the unintendedness of verbal images and sustains the conviction of an external source. This model compares favorably with earlier models of verbal hallucinations and provides further evidence for a language production disorder in many schizophrenics.Short Abstract: How is it that many schizophrenics identify certain instances of verbal imagery as hallucinatory? This paper proposes that the critical feature identifying hallucinations is the experience of unintendedness. This experience is nonpathological during passive conscious states but pathological if occurring during goal-directed cognitive processing. A model of schizophrenic speech disorganization is presented that postulates a disturbance of discourse planning that specifies communicative intentions. These alterations could generate unintended verbal imagery as well. Statistical data are offered to support the model, and relevant empirical studies are reviewed.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick J. Stoddard Jr ◽  
David M. Benedek ◽  
Mohammed R. Milad ◽  
Robert J. Ursano
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Women Soldiers ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Medical Trauma ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Psychological Models

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects people of all ages and backgrounds and causes persistent suffering and impaired function, but its diagnosis offers the opportunity for early intervention. It is the subject of intensive developmental, epidemiological, genetic/genomic, translational, neurobiological, neuropsychological, and psychological research, and emerging computational methods with “big data,” statistical modeling, and machine learning are likely to accelerate this research. The findings from research on PTSD are changing education and the ways clinicians practice, offering the hope for improved care of those experiencing traumatic stress. Those at particular risk for PTSD include children and adolescents, women, soldiers, refugees and survivors of genocide, sexual orientation minorities, racial and ethnic minorities, patients with burns, injuries and medical trauma, and victims of rape, violence, accidents, and disasters. This chapter provides an overview of PTSD, covering Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (fifth edition) diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, neurochemistry and neurobiology, biological and psychological models, assessment, and treatment.

scholarly journals Response latency in social psychological research

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A. Nosek
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Response Latency ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Mental Representations ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Methodological Tool ◽  
Social Psychological Research

With the rise of social cognition, use of response latency as a dependent variable has become common in social psychological research. Response latency has been used by researchers to investigate processes that are not easily testable with other methodologies, such as self-report. Response latency’s usefulness as a methodological tool is notable due to its broad application in social psychology, from research on close relationships and attribution to investigations of the self and attitudes. This paper reviews the breadth of social psychological research that has used response latency to inform about mental representations, cognitive processes, and motivational tendencies.

scholarly journals Intolerance of ambiguity and achievement motivation of drivers

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 47-60
Author(s):  
E.Yu. Litvinova ◽  
S.A. Makeeva ◽  
M.A. Kharchenko
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Analysis ◽  
Achievement Motivation ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Road ◽  
Risk Appetite ◽  
Traffic Violations ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Ability To Drive

The article presents a theoretical analysis of cognitive, motivational and emotional components of road behavior of drivers of different sexes, due to their personal characteristics and existing stereotypes of perception of women-drivers in society. The article presents the results of empirical studies of the achievement motivation, inclination to risk and attitude to uncertainty of men and women drivers. Theoretical analysis suggests that male drivers are more risk-averse and more tolerant of uncertain situations in the traffic than women. At the same time, men in driving are more focused on achieving success, and women — on avoiding failure. An empirical study of 58 drivers (29 men and 29 women) showed that both men and women in driving demonstrate motivation for avoiding failure, however, the reasons for this are different. For women, they are linked to existing societal stereotypes about women’s ability to drive, and for men, to the complication of traffic and increased penalties for traffic violations. Male drivers risk appetite combined with a motive for avoiding failure. The study of attitudes to uncertainty revealed significant differences in the level of tolerance among drivers of different sexes, especially to the difficulty of the situation. We believe that women, due to existing stereotypes, perceive driving activity from the very beginning as more difficult than men, which also explains some of the features of their behavior on the road. The article presents recommendations on optimization of training in driving schools for drivers of different sexes

scholarly journals Dream as a subject of psychological research

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
P.A. Egorova
Keyword(s):  
Activity Theory ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Subjective Significance

We discuss the main theoretical concepts of a dream: dream definitions, ideas about its genesis, functions, dream location in the structure of activity. We analyze the similarities and differences between the approaches. The results of empirical studies of adolescent and adult dreams are generalized, dream functions in adolescence are analyzed. Based on the analysis of different approaches, we chose theoretical basis of our own research – A. Leontiev activity theory, L.S. Vygotsky concept, K. Lewin's model. We formulated and substantiated the definition of dream as emotionally colored image of the desired future, having a subjective significance. We show the significance and hypotheses of our research: 1) the content of dreams is connected not only with a situation of frustration, but also with the teenager abilities, 2) the dream is involved in regulating of values choice; 3) restoration and development of the ability to dream can be used in the practice of counseling and psychotherapy as an effective tool to help adolescents and adults.

scholarly journals Putting Reasons in their Place

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 587-604
Author(s):  
José Ángel Gascón
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Epistemic Justification ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Hilary Kornblith

Hilary Kornblith has criticised reasons-based approaches to epistemic justification on the basis of psychological research that shows that reflection is unreliable. Human beings, it seems, are not very good at identifying our own cognitive processes and the causes of our beliefs. In this article I defend a conception of reasons that takes those empirical findings into account and can avoid Kornblith’s objections. Reasons, according to this account, are not to be identified with the causes of our beliefs and are useful first and foremost in argumentation instead of reflection.

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