PSY 130: Critical Thinking

Explore Hans Selye's groundbreaking General Adaptation Syndrome, detailing the body's three-stage response to stress. Learn about the physiological reactions in each stage, from alarm to exhaustion. Grasp the importance of managing chronic stress and its potential health implications.

Explore the characteristics of alcohol and its impact on the body in this video. Address common misconceptions about alcohol, including its classification as a stimulant, and learn why it is correctly categorized as a depressant due to its effects on neural activity and body function.

Explore the techniques of effortful processing to improve memory retention and understanding. Learn strategies like chunking, mnemonic devices, and spaced repetition. Understand the essence of actively engaging with material for lasting knowledge.

Uncover the role of teratogens in fetal development with a focus on alcohol's impact. Understand the critical function of the placenta and how certain substances can bypass this protective barrier, potentially harming the fetus. Grasp the risks and implications of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Egocentrism, a cognitive bias, causes individuals to prioritize their perspectives, influencing decisions and interactions. Using relatable scenarios with college students and vacation planning, we examine how egocentrism operates and ways to challenge this bias through empathy and perspective-taking.

Discover how perception shapes experiences through the concepts of absolute and difference thresholds. Understand Marisol's ski trip sensations in terms of these psychological phenomena. Learn how individual factors can create unique perceptual moments.