Exam One Ch. 1-2 Flashcards
Knowledge via superstition
knowledge based on subjective feelings, interpreting random events as non random. “magical” events
Ex: Bad things happen in threes
Knowledge via intuition
knowledge gained without being consciously aware of its source
Ex: I don’t know, its just a gut feeling.
Illusory correlation
the perception of a relationship that does not exist
Knowledge via authority
knowledge gained from those viewed as authority figures
Ex: parents, teachers, celebrities with infomercials
Knowledge via tenacity
knowledge gained from repeated ideas that are stubbornly clung to despite evidence supporting the contrary
Ex: slogan with a product or political campaign
Knowledge via rationalism
knowledge gained through logical reasoning
presented in from of a syllogism (attractive people are good; Nellie is attractive; therefore, Nellie is good.)
Knowledge via empiricism
knowledge gained by objective observations of organisms and events in real world
Ex: “I believe nothing until I see it with my own eyes.”
Dates back to Aristotle
** best paired with rationalism
Knowledge via science
knowledge gained by a combination of empirical methods and logical (rational) reasoning
-collect data (empirical observations) and test hypothesis with the data (assessed with rationalism)
Hypothesis
prediction regarding the outcome of a study involving the potential relationship between at least two variables
-need to be testable
Variable
an event or behavior that has at least two variables
Theory
an organized system of assumptions and principles that are attempts to explain certain phenomena and how they are related
- helps develop framework
- aids in developing the hypothesis
Skeptic
person who questions the validity, authenticity, and truth of something claiming to be factual
Three terms that define science
- systematic empiricism
- publicly verifiable knowledge
- empirically solvable problems
Systematic empiricism
making observations in a systematic manner to test hypothesis and develop or refute a theory
-can help better draw conclusions than simple observations
Publicly verifiable knowledge
presenting research to the public so that it can be observed, replicated, criticized, and tested
-most commonly involves submitting research to a scientific journal for possible publication
Empirically solvable problems
questions that are potentially answerable by means of currently available research techniques
-if a theory can’t be empirically tested, then scientist aren’t interested
Principles of falsifiability
idea that a scientific theory must be stated in such a way that is possible to refute or disconfirm
Psuedoscience
claims that appear to be scientific but that actually violate the criteria of science
Ex: people who believe in ESP, which violates the principle of falsifiability
Basic research
study of psychological issues to seek knowledge for its own sake
- most basic conducted at university or lab level
- not immediate application but knowledge gain
Applied research
study of psychological issues that have practical significance and potential solutions
-immediate answers to be applied
Goals of science
- describe behavior
- to predict behavior
- explain behavior
Description of behavior
carefully observing behavior in order to describe it
- learn about behavior and when it occurs
- observe how 2 events are systematically related
Prediction of behavior
identifying factors that indicate when events occur
-knowing level of a variable to predict level of another variable
Explanation of behavior
identifying the causes that determine when and why a behavior occurs
- demonstrates that we can manipulate the factors needed to produce or eliminate the behavior
- must eliminate alternative explanations by impose control over the research situation
Observational method
making observations of human or animal behavior
Naturalistic observation
observing the behavior of humans or animals in their natural habitat
Ex: observing mating behavior of chimps in their natural habitat
Laboratory observation
observing the behavior of humans or animals in a more contrived and controlled situation, usually a lab.
Ex: observing children in a lab playroom to observe behavior