Describe an example of at least one cognitive bias that you personally have experienced

This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources.

Required ResourcesReadings

• Landrum, R. E., & Davis, S. F. (2014).The psychology major: Career options and strategies for success (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
  • Chapter 10, “An APA Format Primer”
• Landrum, R. E. (2015b).Writing for the discipline[PowerPoint file]. Baltimore, MD: Laureate Education.Focus on the review of APA format, quoting and paraphrasing, and citation of references.
• Document:APA referencing style assignment worksheet[PDF].
• Document:Empiricism and bias[PDF].

Websites

• Walden University. (2015j).Writing Center: APA style: Overview. Retrieved fromhttp://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/apa
• Walden University. (2015k).Writing Center: Paper reviews: Introduction. Retrieved fromhttp://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/paperreviews

Media

• Socially Psyched. (2014).Confirmation bias. Retrieved fromhttp://www.sociallypsyched.org/item/confirmation-bias
• Britt, M. (2011).Heuristics—Availability, representativeness, anchoring, hindsight and more[Video file]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgICLUbalM0 Transcript (PDF)

Optional Resources

Purdue University. (n.d.). OWL (Online Writing Lab): APA style. Retrieved fromhttps://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/

Please proceed to this Week’s Discussion.

Misperceptions and Bias

We all have developed our own theories about human behavior based on, for example, our personal experiences, the experiences of others, and/or information we have seen or read about in the media. Psychology students new to the major often struggle with learning concepts and theories related to various behavioral phenomena due to the interference of personal theories and common preconceptions about psychological concepts. Why is the case? Studies stemming from the “critical thinking” research literature have identified several types of bias that can hinder students’ abilities to put aside their preconceived notions and in turn think critically about psychology. To learn more about this topic and to prepare for this Discussion, review this week’s readings, media, and websites related to bias and misperceptions in psychology.

With these thoughts in mind, post by Day 3 a response to the following:

Describe an example of at least one cognitive bias that you personally have experienced. Drawing on the information provided in the Learning Resources for this week, analyze how your awareness of cognitive biases will assist in your success as a psychology major at Walden, and provide an example.

Note: Be sure to support the responses within your initial Discussion assignment post, and in your colleague reply, with information obtained from the assigned Learning Resources, including a Reference list for sources used. For information regarding how your Discussion assignment will be evaluated please review the Grading Rubric located in the Course Information area of the course.

Respond by Day 5 to at least one of your colleagues’ initial Discussion assignment postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question and provide insight into how you would answer your question and why.
• Ask a probing question and provide the foundation, or rationale, for the question.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting by offering a new perspective or insight.
• Agree with a colleague and offer additional (new) supporting information for consideration.
• Disagree with a colleague by respectfully discussing and supporting a different perspective.