Chapter 1

Question 1

Tenacity

Answer 1

(As a method of knowing) holding a belief simply because it is something we have long believed

Question 2

Authority

Answer 2

Relying on other people as our source of knowledge and beliefs

Question 3

Reason

Answer 3

The use of logic and rational (intellectually sound) argument to reach a conclusion of how things must be

Question 4

Empiricism

Answer 4

The process of acquiring knowledge directly through observation and experience.

Question 5

Confirmation bias

Answer 5

The tendency to selectively gather or interpret information in a manner that supports our views, thereby reducing exposure to discomfirming information

Question 6

Plausible alternative explanations

Answer 6

Credible reasons why something f has occurred that differ from our belief or conclusion about it

Question 7

Science

Answer 7

A process of systematically gathering and evaluating empirical evidence to answer questions and test ideas

Question 8

Variable

Answer 8

Any factor or attribute that can assume two or more values

Question 9

Hypotheses

Answer 9

A tentative proposition about the causes or outcome of an event or more generally about how variables are related

Question 10

Theory

Answer 10

A set of formal statement that specifies how and why variables or events are related

Question 11

Distal causes

Answer 11

Remote causes

Question 12

Proximal causes

Answer 12

Immediate causes

Question 13

Causal inference

Answer 13

To conclude that one variable had a causal effect on another variable

Question 14

Covariation

Answer 14

As X changes or varies, y changes or varies

Question 15

Temporel order

Answer 15

The change our variation in X occurs before the change our variation in Y

Question 16

Control

Answer 16

Having influence over research settings and procedures and over the application of scientific knowledge

Question 17

Three basic scientific assumptions about the natural world

Answer 17

events are not random but instead demonstrate regularity or pattern
these patterns have underlying causes
It is possible to discover these causes

Question 18

Empirical question (or claim)

Answer 18

One that, and principal, can be tested empirically: through observation

Question 19

Falsifiability

Answer 19

In principle, and assertion that is testable if we can envision gathering some type of empirical evidence that will reveal the assertion to be false

Question 20

Operational definition

Answer 20

A variable in terms of the procedures used to measure or manipulate it

Question 21

Self correcting

Answer 21

Our current understanding of the natural world and behavior has corrected our older understandings, just some current understandings will be corrected by future discoveries

Question 22

Replication

Answer 22

The process of repeating a study to determine whether the original findings will be upheld

Question 23

Basic research

Answer 23

Examines the fundamental nature of phenomena

Question 24

Applied research

Answer 24

Directly focuses on helping to salt or evaluate a specific real world problem

Question 25

Skepticism

Answer 25

An outlook that involves questioning the validity of claims before deciding whether to except them

Question 26

Anecdotal evidence

Answer 26

In which antidotes -brief stories or descriptions about personal experiences, other people, our events – are offered as facts to support our refute a claim

Question 27

Nine characteristics of science

Answer 27

1. Involves assumptions
2. Empirical and systematic
3. Focuses on testable questions
4. Strives for accuracy and objectivity
5. Requires clear definitions
6. Involves public reporting
7. Tentative, not absolute
8. Self correcting
9. Has limitations

Question 28

Three criteria to make a causal inference

Answer 28

Covariation, temporal order, the absence of plausible alternative explanations