Chapter 2

Question 1

What are the driving forces behind scientific inquiry?

Answer 1

Curiosity, Skepticism, and Open-mindedness

Question 2

List the steps of the Scientific Process

Answer 2

1. Form a Question of interest
2. Gather information and form a hypothesis
3. Test hypothesis by conducting research
4. Analyze Data - draw conclusions - report findings
5. Build on Knowledge - form theory

Question 3

Theory definition: and why its different than a hypothesis

Answer 3

A set of formal statements that explains how and why certain event are related to one another.
- Theories are broader than hypotheses and are used to create more hypotheses

Question 4

Explain the hindsight approach when understanding behaviour.

Answer 4

• Relies on explanation ‘after-the-fact’
• Drawback: past can be explained in many ways
• Advantages: satisfies curiosity, builds knowledge, generates principles that can be applied to new situations

Question 5

What makes a theory a good theory?

Answer 5

1. Organizes information in a meaningful way
2. Is testable
3. The predictions made by the theory are supported by the findings of new research
4. Conforms to the Law of Parsimony

Question 6

Law of Parsimony:

Answer 6

If two theories can explained and predict the same phenomena equally well, the simpler theory is the preferred one.

Question 7

Variable:

Answer 7

Any characteristic that can vary e.g., stress, weight, reaction time

Question 8

Operational definition:

Answer 8

Defines a variable in terms of specific procedures used to produce or measure it.

Question 9

Case Study:

Overview on page 55 table 2.1

Answer 9

An in-depth analysis of an individual, a group, or an event.

Question 10

Advantages and Disadvantages of Case Studies

Answer 10

Advantages: A case study enables rare phenomenon to be studied closely as well as challenge the validity of a theory. A case study can also be a source of new idea and hypotheses.

Disadvantages: Poor method of determining cause-effect relations. May not be generalized to other peoples situations and researchers may not be subjective in gathering and interpreting data

Question 11

Naturalistic Observation:

Overview on page 55 table 2.1

Answer 11

Method where the researcher observes behaviour in a natural setting while avoiding influencing the participants being observed. This provides a rich description of behaviour but does not permit clear causal conclusions

Question 12

Survey Research:

Overview on page 55 table 2.1

Answer 12

Information about a topic is obtained by administering questionnaires or interviews to many people

Question 13

Drawbacks to Survey research

Answer 13

• Unrepresentative samples can lead to faulty generalizations
• Rely on self reports
• Data can not be used to draw conclusions about cause-and-effect

Question 14

Correlational Research:

Overview on page 55 table 2.1

Answer 14

Researchers measure two variables, x and y, and determine if they are related

Question 15

Bidirectionality:

Answer 15

Two-way causality, X causes Y and Y causes X

Question 16

Third Variable Problem:

Answer 16

When there may be no causal link between X and Y due to a third variable, Z, that connects the two.

Question 17

Positive Correlation:

Answer 17

As scores on one variable change, scores on a second variable change in the same direction

Question 18

Negative Correlation:

Answer 18

As scores on variable change, scores on a second variable change in the opposite direction

Question 19

Correlation Coefficient:

Answer 19

Statistic that indicates the direction and strength of the relation between two variables. Ranges from -1.0 to +1.0

Question 20

Advantages to correlational studies

Answer 20

• Show the strength of relationship present
• Can be used to make predictions about variables
• Identifies real world associations

Question 21

Disadvantages to correlational studies

Answer 21

• Can’t assume cause-effect relationship exists
• Relationships may be due to a third variable
• Show association, not a cause

Question 22

3 essential characteristics of experiments

Overview on page 55 table 2.1

Answer 22

1. Control of one or more variables
2. Measures whether this manipulations influences other variables
3. Attempts to control extraneous factors that might influence the outcome of the experiment

Question 23

Independent variable:

Answer 23

The factor that is manipulated by the experimenter

Question 24

Dependent variable:

Answer 24

Factor that is measured by the experimenter and that may be influenced by the independent variable

Question 25

Experimental group:

Answer 25

Group that receives a treatment or an active level of the independent variable

Question 26

Control group:

Answer 26

Is not exposed to the treatment or receives none of the independent variable

Question 27

Placebo Effect:

Answer 27

When people show a change of behaviour because of their expectations instead of the actual treatment