Chapter 2 - Scientific Method Flashcards
Psychology as a Science - Chapter 2
Deductive reasoning
making a hypothesis based on previous knowledge to create specific conclusions. (educated guess)
Inductive reasoning
Using specific details to come up with conclusions
Empirical
Something that can be tested in objective ways
Theories
Ideas about laws and how the world works
Hypothetico-deductive reasoning
Testing educated guesses in the form of experiments and controlled observations
Hypotheses
Prediction statement that can be proven right or wrong
Psychology
Using scientific method to understand the humans’ mental processes
Pseudopsychology
Not using the scientific method to make comments about mental processes (horoscopes)
Positive psychology
Focusing on positive aspects of psychology - how to make lives more fulfilling
Multiple influences
idea that behavior cannot be explained by only one factor
Thoughts vs Behavior
Thoughts - cannot be observed directly
Behavior - can be observed directly
4 goals of psych
describe, explain, predict, and change or control behaviors
Variable
Condition, event, or situation that can be studied
Independent variable
Can be controlled and manipulated
Dependent variable
Thing we are observing -changed by independent variable
Operationalized
How the researcher decides to measure their observations
Step one in research
Identify questions
Step 2 in research
Develop hypoethesis
Step 3 in research
1) Select research method
2) Choose participants
3) Collect data
Step 4 in research
Analyze the data - reject/accept hypothesis
Step 5 in research
Seek scientific review, publish
Step 6 in research
Build a theory