Lecture 1 Flashcards
Bottom-up reasoning
Inductive
Top-down reasoning
Deductive
what are accepted without proof
assumptions
a way of knowing based on systematic observations
science
scientists obtain data ______ (empirically or rationally) and why
empirically because data is collected through experience and experimentation
scientists interpret data ______ (empirically or rationally) and why
rationally because you use reason and logic to make sense of data and you need to interpret evidence simply
assumptions shape _______ you make (and how)
inferences because assumptions refers to something we assume and we build our inferences based on our prior knowledge
what is open science and what is its purpose
open science allows other scientists to check each others works and re run studies. this is important because it helps scientists ensure their studies are free from biases. allows for science to be more valid and reproducible
the tendency to process information i ways that support existing beliefs
confirmation bias
what is psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
the process of obtaining first-hand information
observation
conducting carefully controlled research designed to establish causality
experimentation
a way of knowing without proof or evidence
faith
research methods characterized by a controlled environment in which the effects of manipulating an independent variable on a dependent variable can be observed, allowing the research to make conclusions about causality
experimental methods
what is the variable being manipulated by experimenter
independent variable
the variable measured
dependent variable
any research that is not designed to establish causality
non-experimental methods
examples of non-experimental methods
survey, case study, correlational study
refers to the stability of research results
reliability
refers to the quality of the research
validity
what makes a good hypothesis
leads to testable predictions
After observing her chimpanzees in the wild¸Jane Goodall develops hypotheses related to tool use by apes. (deductive or inductive)
inductive
Anthony and Kent use the theory of planned behavior to guide their study of Cal Poly students’ intentions to vote for a Green Initiative.
(deductive or inductive)
deductive
state some reasons as to why communicating science is important?
- allows other scientists to use studies to create their own study related to the topic
- allows for other scientists to examine the validity of the study by replicating it
- allows for the public to examine the study to avoid errors and incorrect findings
what is psychology
the scientific study of behavior and mental processes
what type of science is driven by the scientist’s curiosity?
basic science
what kind of science is often defined as research that aims to solve a particular practical problem?
applied science
what kind of science has the goal of the improvement of human well being?
applied science
what kind of science includes wanting to conduct a study without an idea of how this finding could be used?
basic science
Jeremy wants to see whether an application of Carol Dweck’s growth mindset work produces gains in student achievement?
what kind of science is this?
applied science
what do you call believing people who seem credible
argument from authority
what sets common sense apart from science?
science is consistent, reliable and has nuanced explanations. while common sense is applicable to our current life, it is not always reliable because our mind tends to have heuristics (mental shortcuts)
define heuristics
mental shortcuts
what do you call information that does not follow the rules of science but is presented as if it does?
pseudoscience
what are the practices in pseudoscience?
- belief in authority
- unrepeatable experiments
- handpicked examples
- unwillingness to test
- disregard of refuting information
- built-in subterfuge
- explanations are abandoned without replacement
what do you call it when testing is set up in a biased way to ensure that only one theory will be supported?
Built-in subterfuge:
the ability to think rationally, clearly, and independently
critical thinking
characteristics of good critical thinking
- suspends belief until evidence is available
- can change their mind in the face of new evidence
- intensive use of cognitive resources
what does the Elaboration Likelihood Model state?
that we use one of two pathways when evaluating information, central or peripheral. central route is when an issue is important to us and we focus on facts and logic. the peripheral route is for everything else and we are more vulnerable to messages influencing us using means other than logic (meaning we are more easily persuaded)
differentiate the central route and the peripheral route
central route
- when an issue is important to us and we focus on facts and logic.
peripheral route
- is for everything else and we are more vulnerable to messages influencing us using means other than logic (meaning we are more easily persuaded)
is an idea that you accept as true or certain to happen without any proof.
an assumption
is a step made using reason and evidence on the road to a conclusion
inference
what does effect size tell us?
- how meaningful the relationship between variables or the difference between groups is
large effect size - research finding has practical significance
small effect size - limited practical applications
what is the range of effect size and their meanings?
0.2 - small
0.5 - medium
0.8 - large
