Chapter 2 Flashcards
when we hypothesize outcomes, we:
- make a tentative explanation that can be testes and rejected
- make it specific to a single question in a single research
what are the characteristics of a hypothesis?
- minimal evidence
- applied to specific variables
- predictive of a specific situation
what makes a a hypothesis a theory?
when a hypothesis is consistently supported (there isn’t really a magic number for how many times it’s basically just when the theory becomes widely accepted
what is the definition of a theory
a scientifically accepted and well supported explanation used to pedict future things
what is a major goal of science in regards to theories?
establish and test theories
example of theory
child cognitive development stage theory
what are characteristics of a theory?
- substantiated
- broadly predictive
if a theory has enough support it then becomes a…
law
theories can also be…
models
what is a model?
a theory based on specific agreed upon variables
what is an example of a model
modal model of memory:
3 agreed upon variables:
- sensory memory
- short term memory
- long term memory
what are the two theories of self control?
1: self control is unlimited
2. self control is limited and can be exhausted
what is the social impact theory model
predicts cases when peer pressure is effective (SIN)
SxIxN
s- strength of the influence
I - immediacy of the influence
N- number of influences
what are computational models?
models that predict exact values as outcomes,, they apply numbers to variables to predict an outcome
what is an example of a computational model?
Fitt’s law model: commonly used software that measures mouse movement times
how are theories limited?
theoretical domain/scope
what is theoretical domain/scope
the range of situations the theory can be applied to
what is an example of a theory limitation in action
Miller magic # theory:
- you can remember 7 +/- 2 pieces of information at a time
- but other researchers found that the results differed when what you were you trying to remember is objects
are all theories universally accepted?
no
what is an example of a theory that is not universally accepted?
the theory of self control
-Mauraven and Baumeister self control is limited but the more you resist temptation the less likely you are to give into it in the fututre
- Job and Inzlinct: self control is unlimited because if you give someone a pep talk then they can keep perservering
we can only be confident in a theories domain if?
the theory has been tested previously
science always needs to apply new theories to…
existing domains so we can confirm or disconfirm its uses
what is confirmational data?
compare your observation to what the theory would predict
if it matches then the theory is strengthened
ex.) there is a theory that people tend to view themselves as above average in most positive traits
- in a study 93% of people say they are an above average driver, so the theory works here therefore the theory is strengthened
what is disconfirmational data?
when you compare your observation to what the theory would predict and it does not match then the theory is weakened
example using the above average theory:
- in china <50% of people said they were above average drivers therefore the theory is weakened
is weakening a theory bad?
no science is always looking for new information
what is a sign of healthy science?
the end of weakening theories and the formation of new and stronger theories
ie) the existence of superior or inferior genders
what is causal directionality?
one way causation
ex.) alcohol reduces reaction times
but reduced reaction times do not cause you to get drunk
what is causal bidirectionality?
variables that cause change to each other
ex.) body weight and exercise