1: Scientific Thinking In Psychology

Question 1

List the ways of knowing

Answer 1

-Authority (accepting the validity of information coming from a source that we judge to be an expert

-use of reason (logic, logic and reason can reach opposing conclusions, must be careful to avoid faulty logic)

-Empiricism (direct experience, interpretations of our experiences can be influenced by social cognition biases)

-Science (the most reliable)

Question 2

the A Priori method

Answer 2

The use of reason and developing a consensus among those debating the merits of one belief over another

A belief develops as the result of a logical argument before the person has direct experience with the phenomenon

Question 3

Social Cognition Biases

Answer 3

Belief Perseverance

Confirmation Bias

Availability heuristic

Question 4

The A Priori Method

Answer 4

The use of reason and developing a consensus among those debating the merits of one belief over another

A belief develops as the result of a logical argument before the person has direct experience with the phenomenon

Question 5

The main advantage of science is in its ___

Answer 5

objectivity

Question 6

Science assumes

Answer 6

determinism (events have causes) and discoverability

Question 7

Describe statistical determinism

Answer 7

events can be predicted but only with a probability greater than chance

Question 8

How does science make systematic observations to answer empirical questions

Answer 8

using:

Precise definitions of the phenomena being measured - operational definitions

Reliable and valid measuring tools that yield useful and interpretable data

Generally accepted research methodologies

A system of logic for drawing conclusions and fitting those conclusions into general theories

Question 9

Theory needs to be

Answer 9

precise enough to where it can be falsifiable

Question 10

recognizing pseudoscience

Answer 10

Associates with True Science

Relies on anecdotal evidence
It is selective, examples that don’t fit are ignored
Effort justification: after people expend significant effort, they feel compelled to convince themselves that the effort was worthwhile

Sidesteps the falsification requirement
A theory that can explain all possible outcomes fails as a theory because it can never make specific predictions

Reduce complex phenomena to overly simplistic concepts

Question 11

The goals of research psychology

Answer 11

Describe (observational research)

Predict (correlational research)

Explain (experimental research)
-causality

Apply (improve lives)