Ch. 1: The Science of Psychology

Question 1

What is science?

Answer 1

Science is a democratic cumulative field in which we employ the use of systematic observation to form a question stated in such a way that we can test it; e.g., a hypothesis

Question 2

What are the different elements of the scientific method?

Answer 2

Acronym: ARCTADS

🔴 Ask a question
🟠 Do research
🟡 Construct a hypothesis
🟢 Test through an experiment
🔵 Analyze data
🟣 Determine alignment of data with hypothesis
⚪️ Share results

Question 3

What is the research process in psychological science?

Answer 3

Acronym: IDACAP

🔴 Idea for a study
🟠 Design a study
🟡 Application to the IRB (institutional research board)
🟢 Collect data
🔵 Analyze data
🟣 Peter review & publication process

Question 4

What are the specific goals of the field of psychology?

Answer 4

⚫️ To better understand ourselves and others

⚫️ To learn how to better help others and improve the world, for example, by doing effective psychotherapy

Question 5

Define hypothesis.

Answer 5

A logical idea that can be tested

Question 6

Define theory.

Answer 6

Groups of closely related phenomena and observations

Question 7

What are the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?

Answer 7

A hypothesis is an assumption made before any data has been collected while a theory is a principle set to explain phenomena already supported by data

Question 8

What are the 6 different research designs?

Answer 8

Acronym: eqqcls (pronounced: equals)

1. Experimental
2. Correlational
3. Qualitative
4. Quasi-experimental
5. Longitudinal
6. survey

Question 9

What are the benefits and limitations of experimental research?

Answer 9

Benefits: random assignment; random assignment makes it so groups, on average, are similar on all characteristics except what the experimenter manipulates

Limitations: Subject to human error, sample may not be representative, and results may be difficult to replicate.

Question 10

What are the benefits and limitations of an quasi-experimental designs?

Answer 10

Benefits: Allows you to conduct research on a subject matter that defies random assignment

Limitations: doesn’t allow for random assignment and therefore it would be hard to make causal inferences

Question 11

What are the benefits and limitations of a qualitative design?

Answer 11

Benefits: Allow us to research more difficult topics, e.g., brain injuries

Limitations: The sample size is extremely limited, Personal experience and knowledge influence observations and conclusions. It is not statistically representative because it is based solely on observation rather than empirical data, and it’s difficult to investigate causality.

Question 12

What are the benefits and limitations of a correlation all design?

Answer 12

Benefits: Allows us to study topics we can’t experimentally manipulate

Limitations: Can’t infer causation

Question 13

What are the benefits and limitations of an longitudinal study?

Answer 13

Benefits: More precise results

Limitations: can be quite costly to conduct

Question 14

What are the benefits and limitations of a survey?

Answer 14

Benefits: Can reach a larger number of participants

Limitations: May receive dishonest answers