Shared vs Non-Shared Environmental Influences

What determines an individual’s personality?  Psychologists doing research on this question have attempted to determine the degree to which personality is shaped by genetic vs environmental/experiential influences.  We know, for example, the individual differences in genetics are primarily responsible for individual differences in temperament.  Research on sources of individual differences in the “Big Five” personality […]

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Signal Detection Theory

Light On                          Light Off Hit False Alarm Miss Correct Rejection Response of Yes Response of No “Response of Yes” means the subject says that the light is on. “Response of No” means that the subject says the light is not on. Thinking about the detection of very soft sounds may make the understanding of these […]

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Abduction by Aliens or Sleep Paralysis?

Skeptical Inquirer magazine : May/June 1998 : Buy this back issue Susan Blackmore A Roper Poll claimed that nearly four million Americans have had certain “indicator” experiences and therefore had probably been abducted by aliens. But a study of 126 school children and 224 undergraduates shows knowledge of aliens is related more to watching television […]

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