Chapter 1 & 2: Scientific Understanding of Behavior; Where to Start

Question 1

Three Sources of Knowledge

Answer 1

1. Intuition (anecdotal evidence)
2. Authority
3. Empiricism

Question 2

Sources of Knowledge: Intuition

Answer 2

Intuition: Assumptions build upon past experiences

Problem: Illusory Correlations
* A cognitive bias that occurs when we focus on two events that stand out and occur together.
* effect is likely to occur when we are highly motivated to believe in the causal relationship.

Question 3

Illusory Correlations

Answer 3

Definition: A cognitive bias that occurs when we focus on two events that stand out and occur together.

• effect is likely to occur when we are highly motivated to believe in the causal relationship.

Question 4

Sources of Knowledge: Authority

Answer 4

Authoritative Knowledge: Knowledge shared by people in power (Politicians, Doctors, etc.)

Problem: Agendas that motivate misinformation

Question 5

Sources of Knowledge: Empiricism

Answer 5

Empirical Knowledge: Claims are based on evidence. Evidence is gathered through the scientific method.

Question 6

5 Fundamental Components of the Scientific Method

Answer 6

1. Empirical Knowledge
2. Skepticism
3. Open Framework
4. Adversal, Testable, Falsifiable
5. Cumulative & Self-Correcting

Question 7

Scientific Method: Empirical Knowledge

Answer 7

Claims are based on evidence

Question 8

Scientific Method: Skepticism

Answer 8

Claims are questioned and critically evaluated

Question 9

Scientific Method: Open Framework:

Answer 9

All claims are open to others for criticism and debate.
* ie: Peer-review

Question 10

Open Framework: Peer-review

Answer 10

Peer-review: Scientists check each other’s work BEFORE publication

Question 11

Scientific Method: Adversal, Testable, Falsifiable

Answer 11

Every claim must be testable and falsifiable.
* A constant push for better evidence that leads to better theories
* When evidence refutes a claim, ideas are revised and updates

Question 12

Scientific Method: Cumulative & Self-Correcting

Answer 12

Evidence builds over time into theories.
* New evidence corrects existing theories, or leads to new theories

Question 13

Goals of Behavioral Science

Answer 13

• Describe Behavior
• Predict Behavior
• Determine the Causes of Behavior
• Explain Behavior
• Alter/Change Behavior

Question 14

Three elements of Causality

Answer 14

1. Temporal Precedence
2. Covariation of Cause & Effect
3. Eliminate Alternative Explanations

Question 15

Causality: Temporal Precedence

Answer 15

The cause precedes the effect temporally (temporal = over time)

ie: The doorbell must ring before the dog barks

Question 16

Causality: Covariation of Cause & Effect

Answer 16

The variation of the relationship between variables.
* When the cause is present, the effect will occur
* When the cause is absent, the effect will not occur.

Question 17

Causality: Eliminate Alternative Explanations

Answer 17

The relationship between variables may be influenced by a third variable
* There may be a more specific causal mechanism than what was originally hypothesized.

Question 18

Pseudoscience

Answer 18

Use of seemingly scientific terms and definitions to support claims that have no basis in scientific research

Question 19

Order of Scientific Approach:

Answer 19

1. Get an idea
2. Create a testable hypothesis
3. Review the literature
4. Conduct pilot research
5. Complete the research
6. Conduction statistical tests
7. Interpret the results
8. Prepare an article (written report)

Question 20

Sources of Inquiry

Answer 20

Sources of inquiry are all around us.

John Wheeler: “We live on an island surrounded by a sea of ignorance. As our island of knowledge grows, so does the shore of our ignorance.”
* Island of knowledge = stuff we know
* Shore of Ignorance = stuff we do not know

Question 21

Sources of ideas

Answer 21

• Common sense
• Practical Problems
• Observations
• Theories
• Past research

Question 22

Research Questions

Answer 22

The 1st step when designing and conducting a research investigation

Criteria: Must be specific, testable, and falsifiable

Question 23

Hypothesis

Answer 23

A tentative (or possible) answer to a research question

Criteria: Once hypothesis is stated, the researcher can design the study

Question 24

Predictions

Answer 24

An educated guess that comes after the hypothesis

Criteria: directly testable, includes specific variables and methodologies.

Question 25

What is a Theory?

Answer 25

A systematic body of ideas about a particular topic or phenomenon that is built from evidence over time.

Question 26

The 2 Functions of Theories

Answer 26

1. Organize and Explain:
   * Theories organize and explain specific facts or descriptions about a behavior.
   * This structure brings meaning to otherwise meaningless information.

2.Generate New Ideas:
* By focusing our thinking, theories help us notice new aspects of behavior

Question 27

Types of Journal Articles

Answer 27

1. Literature Review (aka: systematic review/ systematic literature review)
2. Theory Articles
3. Empirical Research Articles

Question 28

Types of Journal Articles: Literature Review

Answer 28

Summaries of previous research, across different studies, on a particular topic.

• Other names: “Systematic Review” or “Systematic Literature Review”

Another review method: meta-analysis (uses statistical procedures to measure trends across studies)

Question 29

Types of Journal Articles: Theory Articles

Answer 29

Theory Articles – Summarize and integrate prior research to provide a new framework for understanding a theory/phenomenon.

Question 30

Types of Journal Articles – Empirical Research Articles

Answer 30

A paper that reports the results of original research based on actual observations or experiments.

They have 5 sections:
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Methods
4. Results
5. Discussion