Presentation 1: Introduction to Psychology

Question 1

What is Psychology?

Answer 1

the scientific study of behavior

and mental processes

Question 2

What makes a theory or study scientific?

Answer 2

-> It should be supported
by empirical evidence
and be based on this
evidence.
-> It should be falsifiable, that is,
it should be possible for the
theory or study to be proven
wrong.
-> There should be a history of
independent attempts to test the theory or
replicate the study.

Question 3

Define Artifacts

Answer 3

results that are associated with the effect of unforeseen factors

Question 4

Define Behavior

Answer 4

anything that can be registered by an independent observer such as gestures, facial expressions, verbal responses, endocrine reactions
etc.

Question 5

Define Mental Processes

Answer 5

the “behind the scene” instructions that control

behavior such as attention, perception, memory and thinking.

Question 6

Recall the two research methodologies

Answer 6

Quantitative & Qualitative observation

Question 7

Define Quantitative observation

Answer 7

A methodology that involves applying a unit or mathematical value to an observation or variable.

Question 8

Define Qualitative observation

Answer 8

A methodology that involves the observation of nonnumerical phenomena or data.

Question 9

Define Operationalizing

Answer 9

psychologists apply a numerical number to an observed behavior

Question 10

Differences between experimental and correlational research

Answer 10

• > In an experimental design, you manipulate an independent variable and measure its effect on a dependent variable. Other variables are controlled so they can’t impact the results.
• > In a correlational design, you measure variables without manipulating any of them. You can test whether your variables change together, but you can’t be sure that one variable caused a change in another.

Question 11

Define Independent Varriable

Answer 11

the one that is being changed or manipulated by the researcher

Question 12

Define Dependent Varriable

Answer 12

the one that changes due to the IV being changed.

Question 13

Define descriptive (correlational) study

Answer 13

information is collected without changing the environment (i.e., nothing is manipulated)

Question 14

Define Qualitative study

Answer 14

focuses on studying a phenomenon or behavior
in a more “in-depth” detailed way.
• Qualitative research is concerned with understanding things that
cannot be quantified easily such as human experiences,
interpretations and meanings.
• Qualitative research often makes use of methods such as interviews or
observations. Interpreting the data involves subjectivity.

Question 15

Define Sample

Answer 15

The group of individuals taking part in the research study.

Question 16

Define Sampling

Answer 16

the process of finding and recruiting individuals for the

study.

Question 17

Define Credibility

Answer 17

the degree to which the results of the study can

be trusted to reflect reality.

Question 18

Define Bias

Answer 18

the preconceived notions or conclusions the research
makes outside of the data. For example, researcher may believe the
interviewee’s responses to be true but the participants maybe
responding based on what they think the researcher wants.

Question 19

List the 3 levels of analysis

Answer 19

Biology (genes, hormones, etc)
Cognitive (psychological processes)
Social (Society, Environment)

Question 20

Define Descriptive Studies

Answer 20

Relationships between variables are not studied.

Question 21

Describe empirical approach to research

Answer 21

research that is based on observation and measurement of phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher.