Psych as a Science Flashcards
Is psychology considered a science?
The classification of psychology as a science is debated, with some universities listing it as a science while others do not.
What is empiricism?
Empiricism is the reliance on experience and perception as the basis of scientific inquiry.
What is the significance of Galileo’s observations?
Galileo used telescopes to provide empirical evidence about the universe, emphasizing experience as the benchmark of knowledge.
What is the main method of scientific inquiry?
The main method of scientific inquiry is experimentation.
What does ‘objective’ mean in scientific research?
Objective means not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts.
What is reliability in scientific methodology?
Reliability refers to the consistency of data or conclusions drawn from research.
What does it mean for a hypothesis to be valid?
To be valid means that the results are due to the manipulation of an independent variable (IV) to see the effect on the dependent variable (DV).
What is falsifiability?
Falsifiability is the capacity for a proposition, statement, theory, or hypothesis to be proven wrong.
Who proposed the concept of falsification?
Karl Popper proposed the concept of falsification.
What is reductionism in scientific research?
Reductionism allows the isolation of variables to establish a cause and effect relationship.
What factors increase credibility in psychological research?
Credibility is increased by reliable and valid methods of data collection, competence and integrity of researchers, and objectivity.
What are the criteria that make a subject scientific?
The criteria include:
* Predictions
* Relevant to real life
* Objective
* Falsifiable
* Replicable
* Unified paradigm
* Generalization
* Credibility
* Empirical
True or False: Psychology has a unified paradigm.
False. Psychology lacks a unified paradigm that is present in other sciences.
What is the hypothetico-deductive model?
The hypothetico-deductive model is a scientific method where hypotheses are tested to determine support or disproof by evidence.
Fill in the blank: To be credible, data must be _______.
[reliable and valid]
What does it mean for research to be replicable?
Research is replicable if it can be repeated and yield similar results.
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?
Quantitative data is objective and measurable, while qualitative data is subjective and interpretative.
What is the impact of bias in research procedures?
Bias produces less valid data and can compromise research integrity.
What are demand characteristics?
Demand characteristics are cues that suggest to participants how they should respond in a study.
What is ecological validity?
Ecological validity refers to the extent to which research findings can be generalized to real-world settings.
How does psychology relate to real-life phenomena?
Psychology should be able to explain real-life phenomena and has many practical applications.
What is the importance of operationalizing variables?
Operationalizing variables ensures clear definitions and enhances the reliability of research findings.
What is the role of control in scientific research?
Control is important to ensure that data gathered is objective and not influenced by external factors.
What is the significance of the phrase ‘not all swans are white’ in scientific inquiry?
The phrase illustrates that the sighting of one black swan can falsify the hypothesis that all swans are white.
