Chapter 1: Research in the Behavioural Sciences

Question 1

Three Goals of Psychology

Answer 1

1. Describe Behaviour
2. Predict Behaviour
3. Explain Behaviour

Question 2

Basic Research

Answer 2

Conducted to understand psychological processes without regard for whether or not the knowledge is immediately applicable.

Question 3

Applied Research

Answer 3

Conducted to find solutions for problems rather than to enhance general knowledge about psychological processes.

Question 4

Hindsight Bias

Answer 4

The tendency to exaggerate, after learning an outcome, one’s ability to have foreseen it.

Question 5

Criteria for Scientific Research

Answer 5

1. Systematic Empiricism: Rely on systematically obtained observations to draw conclusions about the world.
2. Public Verification: Findings must be observed, replicated, and verified by other researchers.
3. Solvable Problems: Must study questions that are potentially answerable through systematic empiricism.

Question 6

Pseudoscience

Answer 6

1. Non-systematic and non-empirical evidence (e.g. myths, untested beliefs, anecdotes, opinions, poorly designed or methodologically flawed studies).
2. No public verification.
3. Unsolvable questions and irrefutable hypotheses.

Question 7

Theory

Answer 7

A set of propositions that attempts to specify the interrelationships among a set of concepts.

Question 8

Model

Answer 8

An attempt to describe how (but not why) concepts are related.

Question 9

The Scientific Method

Answer 9

1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Collect Data
4. Analyze Data
5. Conclusions/Revise Theory

Question 10

Formulating Hypotheses: Deduction

Answer 10

Process of reasoning from a general proposition (theory) to specific implications of that proposition (hypothesis).

Question 11

Formulating Hypotheses: Induction

Answer 11

Abstracting a hypothesis from a collection of facts.

Question 12

Methodological Pluralism

Answer 12

Using a variety of different methods and designs to test a theory. Provides greater confidence than findings using a single method.

Question 13

Strategy of Strong Inference

Answer 13

Designing studies to test the opposing predictions of two or more theories simultaneously.

Question 14

Defining Variables: Conceptual Definition

Answer 14

General definition of a construct, as one would find in a dictionary. Typically not precise enough for scientific communication.

Question 15

Defining Variables: Operational Definition

Answer 15

Specifies precisely how a concept is measured or manipulated in a specific study.

Question 16

Does confirming a hypothesis based on a research study mean that the theory from which the hypothesis was derived is correct?

Answer 16

No, it may be accounted for by alternative theories/mechanisms.

Question 17

Does failing to support a hypothesis mean that the theory from which the hypothesis was derived is incorrect?

Answer 17

No, failures to reject the null can occur for many reasons (e.g. low power, random chance, design flaws, etc.)

Question 18

Descriptive Research

Answer 18

Describes the behaviours, thoughts, or feelings of a group (e.g. public opinion polls).

Question 19

Correlational Research

Answer 19

Investigates the relationship between two or more variables (e.g. is self-esteem related to shyness?).

Question 20

Experimental Research

Answer 20

Can determine whether a variable causes changes in another. The researcher must manipulate at least one independent variable, control extraneous influences, and examine causal effects on a dependent variable.

Question 21

Quasi-Experimental Research

Answer 21

Examines the effects of naturally occurring events (i.e. topics that are not amendable to manipulation or control; e.g. gender differences).