1. . .
(Key words)
1. imagine ,
2. script
3. arrive
4. participate
5. judgment= judgement
6. unanimously
7. majority
8. opinion
9. trust
10. pressure
11. affect
12. perception
13. assume
14. insist
15. conclude
, .
Social Pressure and Perception
Imagine yourself in the following situation: you sign up for a psychology experiment, and on a specified date you and seven others whom you think are also subjects arrive and are seated at a table in a small room. You don't know it at the time, but the others are actually associates of the experimenter, and their behaviour has been carefully scripted. You're the only real subject.
The experimenter arrives and tells you that the study in which you are about to participate concerns people's visual judgments. She places two cards before you. The card on the left contains one vertical line. The card on the right displays three lines of different length.
The experimenter asks all of you, one at a time, to choose which of the three lines on the right card matches the length of the line on the left card. The task is repeated several times with different cards. The other "subjects" unanimously choose the wrong line. It is clear to you that they are wrong, but they have all given the same answer.
What would you do? Would you go along with the majority opinion, or would you trust your own eyes?
In 1951, the social psychologist Asch used this experiment to examine how the pressure from other people could affect one's perceptions. In total, about one third of the subjects who were placed in this situation agree with the majority.
Some of the subjects indicated after the experiment that they assumed the rest of the people were correct and that their own perceptions were wrong. Others knew they were correct but didn't want to be different from the rest of the group. Some even insisted they saw the line lengths as the majority did.
Asch concluded that it is difficult to maintain that you see something when no one else does. Pressure from other people can make you see almost anything.
, .
Who developed the experiment described in the text? When was it developed?
What does the experimenter tell the real subject about the aim of the experiment?
How many cards does the experimenter places in front of you? What do the cards contain?
What does the experimenter ask you to do?
How many times is the task repeated?
What did some of the subjects of the experiment assume when the associates of the experiment gave the wrong answers?
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Why did some of the subjects of the experiment give the wrong answer even if they knew they were correct?
, ( 10 ).
How does the society affect our behaviuor?
1. ?
, , , . .
(Key words)
7. pattern ,
8. human being
11. action
14. desire
15. mental illness
18. personality ,
19. habit
20. insight , , ( )
, .
What Is Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behaviour. Psychologists observe and record how people and other animals relate to one another and to the environment. They look for patterns that will help them understand and predict behaviour, and they use scientific methods to test their ideas. Through such studies, psychologists have learned much that can help people fulfill their potential as human beings and increase understanding between individuals, groups, nations, and cultures.
Psychology is a broad field that explores a variety of questions about thoughts, feelings, and actions. Psychologists ask such questions as: "How do we see, hear, smell, taste, and feel? What enables us to learn, think, and remember, and why do we forget? What activities distinguish human beings from other animals? What abilities are we born with, and which must we learn? How much does the mind affect the body, and how does the body affect the mind? For example, can we change our heart rate or temperature just by thinking about doing so? What can our dreams tell us about our needs, wishes, and desires? Why do we like the people we like? What is mental illness?"
The research findings of psychologists have greatly increased our understanding of why people behave as they do. For example, psychologists have discovered much about how personality develops and how to promote healthy development. They have some knowledge of how to help people change bad habits and how to help students learn. They understand some of the conditions that can make workers more productive. A great deal remains to be discovered. Nevertheless, insights provided by psychology can help people function better as individuals, friends, family members, and workers.
, .
What is psychology?
What do psychologists do?
What does psychology explore?
What kind of questions do psychologists ask?
Why do we need psychological research?
How can psychology help us?
4. , .
Why do you want to become a professional psychologist?
What is your favourite topic in psychology?
When do you think a person should consult a psychologist?
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