Chapter 2: Psychology as a Science Flashcards
Deductive Reasoning
Reasoning that proceeds from broad basic principles applied to specific situations
“top-down”
Inductive Reasoning
Reasoning process that proceeds from small specific situations to more general truths
“bottom up”
Sir Francis Bacon
First to question deductive reasoning and believed it was easily influenced by thinker’s biases
Believed indicative reasoning should be used to avoid bias
Hypothetico-Deductive Reasoning
Process where scientist begins with educated guess (hypothesis) then set about designing experiments to support or invalidate that hypothesis
Scientific Method
- Make observations and identify questions
- Develop testable hypothesis
- Select research method
- Analyze the data and accept/reject hypothesis
- Seek scientific review, publish, and replicate experiment
- Build a theory
Use hypothesis to test theory
Pseudopsychology
Takes appearance of science but bot based on the scientific method
Independent Variable
Condition that is thought to be the factor causing change
Dependent Variable
Condition that you expect to change as a result of variation in IV
Operationalize
To develop precise definitions of variables in order to test it
Random Selection
Choosing sample in a way that everyone has a chance to be involved.
Minimize sampling biases
Descriptive Research Method
Allows researchers to describe a relationship that exists between variables of interest
ex. case study, naturalistic observation, surveys
Case Studies
In-depth examination on one case
Con:
- Greatly affected by researcher bias
- Cannot generalize results
Naturalistic Observation
Where researchers directly observe people behave as they normally do
Con:
- Subject to researcher bias
- Presence of camera or researcher may alter participant’s behavior
Survey
Where researchers ask participants questions. This allows them to gather lots of data
Con:
- People tend to give socially acceptable answers (participant bias)
- Does not show causation
Experiment
Controlled observation where researcher manipulate the IV to see its effect on DV
Experimental Group
Group that is exposed to the IV
Control Group
Group that is not exposed to IV
Double Blind Procedure
Study where neither the participants nor the researcher knows which treatment the participants is receiving
Prevents demand characteristic
Correlation
Predictable relationship between two or more variables
Correlation Coefficient
Expresses the strength and nature of the relationship
Between -1 and +1
Positive Correlation
Relationship in which scores on 2 variables increase/decrease together
Negative Correlation
Relationship in which the score of one variable increases as the other decreases
Perfect Correlation
Relationship in which 2 variables are exactly related
Mean
average
Standard Deviation
Index of how much scores vary within a group
statistically signifiant
Probability Statistics (p-level)
Ethical guidelines
