Chapter 1

Question 1

Statistical notation

Answer 1

Code for communicating statistical results and for simplifying statistical formulas

Question 2

Scientific method

Answer 2

A set of rules consisting of certain assumptions, attitudes, goals, and procedures for creating and answering questions about nature

Question 3

Lawful

Answer 3

Every event can be understood as a predictable sequence of natural causes and effects

Question 4

Determinism

Answer 4

Behavior is solely influenced by natural causes and does not depend on an individual’s choice or “free will”

Question 5

What must behavior be assumed to be in order to be studied scientifically?

Answer 5

Lawful, determined, and understandable

Question 6

Opne-minded

Answer 6

Leaving biases and preconceptions behind

Question 7

Research ethics

Answer 7

Neither researchers nor their research should cause harm to others

Question 8

What traits should scientists have?

Answer 8

Uncertain, open-minded, skeptical, cautious, and ethical

Question 9

Design

Answer 9

Specific manner in which the study is set up and conducted

Question 10

Subjects/Participants

Answer 10

Specific people or animals to study

Question 11

Empirical

Answer 11

Learned by observation

Question 12

Objectivity

Answer 12

The researcher’s biases, attitudes, or subjective impressions do not influence the observations or conclusions

Question 13

Systematic

Answer 13

Observations are obtained in a methodical, step-by-step fashion

Question 14

Control

Answer 14

Eliminating factors that might influence the behavior being observed

Question 15

Acceptable scientific evidence is obtained through what?

Answer 15

Empirical, objective, and controlled research.

Question 16

Pseudo-explanation

Answer 16

Giving as the reason for an event another name for that event

Question 17

To completely understand a behavior, researchers strive to do what?

Answer 17

Describe it, explain its causes, and predict and control its occurrence

Question 18

Applied research

Answer 18

Solving an existing, real-life problem

Question 19

Basic research

Answer 19

Research conducted simply for the knowledge it produces

Question 20

What is the purpose of basic research?

Answer 20

To obtain knowledge

Question 21

What is the purpose of applied research?

Answer 21

To solve an existing problem

Question 22

What is one specific study in light of a behavior?

Answer 22

A “snapshot” or small portion, representing a very limited and simplified view and contributing minutely to the goals of understanding a behavior

Question 23

Hypothesis

Answer 23

A formally stated expectation about how a behavior operates

Question 24

Casual hypothesis

Answer 24

Tentatively identifies a particular cause for, or influence on, a behavior

Question 25

Descriptive hypothesis

Answer 25

Tentatively describes a behavior in terms of its characteristics or the situation in which it occurs, and allows us to predict when it occurs. NOT causes

Question 26

Main difference between casual and descriptive hypotheses?

Answer 26

Casual postulates an influence, descriptive postulates characteristics

Question 27

Testable

Answer 27

It is possible to devise a test

Question 28

Falsifiable

Answer 28

The test can potentially show that the hypothesis is incorrect

Question 29

Precise

Answer 29

Clearly defined

Question 30

Rational

Answer 30

Logically fits with what is already known

Question 31

Parsimonious

Answer 31

As simple as possible

Question 32

What characteristics should a scientific hypothesis have?

Answer 32

Falsifiable, testable, precise, rational, and parsimonious

Question 33

Theory

Answer 33

An integrated set of proposals that defines, explains, organizes, and interrelates knowledge about many behaviors

Question 34

Two major functions of theories?

Answer 34

Organize findings and guide research

Question 35

What is a theory?

Answer 35

An organized body of research that describes and explains a wide range of behaviors

Question 36

Model

Answer 36

A description that, by analogy, explains the process underlying particular behaviors. More specific and concrete than a theory

Question 37

Prediction

Answer 37

A specific statement about how we will see the behavior manifested in the research situation, describing results we expect to see

Question 38

Four flaws in evidence

Answer 38

Some behaviors cannot be studied in a completely empirical, objective, systematic, and controlled way, decisions made in designing a study, technical limitations that produce misleading info, and the results of one study may be biased or a fluke

Question 39

What does the design of eh study determine?

Answer 39

The snapshot of the behavior and the evidence for the hypothesis

Question 40

Disconfirmation

Answer 40

Evidence that the hypothesis is false

Question 41

Confirmation

Answer 41

Findings are consistent with the hypothesis, but does not make the hypothesis true

Question 42

Where does the best evidence come from?

Answer 42

Disconfirming competing hypotheses and confirming your own

Question 43

What do we do when we confirm a hypothesis?

Answer 43

Merely more confidant that it is true, it can never be proven

Question 44

What is our confidence in any hypothesis based on?

Answer 44

The quantity and quality of evidence

Question 45

Replication

Answer 45

Repeatedly conducting studies that test and confirm a hypothesis

Question 46

Literal replication

Answer 46

Duplicate precisely the specific design and results of a previous study, eliminates “chance factors”

Question 47

Conceptual replication

Answer 47

Provides additional confirmation while measuring the behavior in a different way, with different types of participants, or with a different design