Psychological Inquiry

Question 1

What is psychological inquiry

Answer 1

Psychology is a discipline that focuses on understanding how people perceive their environment and behave in diverse situations. -

• Seeks to apply this knowledge to achieve positive outcomes for individuals, communities, and society.
• Psychologists often work with vulnerable communities, so offering treatment approaches or support services without psychological science evidence can be dangerous. Psychology training emphasizes the process of psychological inquiry.

Question 2

Ways of knowing

Answer 2

Ways of knowing refers to a set of tools for gaining knowledge. These tools help shape the way we come to conclusions about specific topics: Such tools include:

• Intuition
• Authority figures or experts
• Empiricism
• Rationalism

Question 3

What is science

Answer 3

Science is a method of both rationalism and empiricism. Through empiricism we make observations and link those observations together to make explanations through logical reasoning.

Question 4

Systematic Empiricism

Answer 4

Ensures for a systematic approach to gather knowledge, ensures reliability and verification without relying on memory to follow all important steps.

Question 5

Control

Answer 5

Crucial for scientific experimentation.
- Removes external factors that may influence the experiment.
- Important for the detection of cause and effect relationships.

Question 5

Objectivity

Answer 5

Science aims for objectivity.

– The removal of our own personal opinions and interpretations that may cause bias.
– Ensures for reliable and accurate observations.

Question 6

Empirically Solvable Problems

Answer 6

Can only solve empirical problems:
- Things that are observable.
- If it cannot be observed, then it can’t be investigated.

Question 6

Publicly Verifiable

Answer 6

Ensures that knowledge and methods are publicly verifiable. So that the pubic is able to:
- Understand what the research is about
- How it was conducted
- What the findings were
- Allows others to critique the research.

Question 7

Critiques of science: Consumer and community involvement

Answer 7

Ensures that the research is more aligned to the needs of the community
- Rather than the researchers own beliefs and values.
- Ensures that the community and consumers are involved.
- Results in better outcomes.

Question 7

Falsifiable

Answer 7

Addresses confirmation bias by
- Falsifying theories through multiple tests
- Recognises perceptions may be wrong or influenced.

Question 8

Decolonising psychology and research methods

Answer 8

Process of dismantling colonial structures and ideologies, especially those that have shaped society, academia and knowledge production.

• Involves challenging and transforming north American and Eurocentric biases, power imbalances and cultural assumptions.
• Through critical self-reflection, questioning existing paradigms and developing humility. Aims for equality, justice, empowerment of marginalised populations, advocating system changes.

Question 9

First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing

Answer 9

Crucial to incorporate culturally appropriate research methods, including indigenous approaches.

• Prioritize cultural sensitivity, community engagement, and marginalised voices.
• Challenges western world knowledge systems, and promote equity, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Can lead to more culturally relevant outcomes,

Question 10

Scientist-practitioner models and reflexive practice

Answer 10

The Advocate-Scientist-Practitioner model

Integrates scientific research and evidence based practices to advocate for social justice and marginalised populations, promoting community and system-level change.

The scientist-practitioner model
(also called The Vail model)

Integrates scientific research, professional practice, and personal reflection, promoting reflexivity, cultural humility, and ethical care by encouraging continuous learning and growth.

Question 11

Intuition

Answer 11

Is a way of “knowing” based on past experiences.

• Can be both helpful and flawed.
• Past experiences may / may not be relevant to the current situation.

Question 12

Authority or Experts

Answer 12

A way of “gaining” advice from a parental figure or expert in their field who can teach others:

• Research
• Experience
• Values
• Norms
• Cultures
• Belief systems

Can have flaws as:

• They can be wrong.
• Misinformed
• Not up to date with current knowledge

Question 13

Rationalism

Answer 13

A way of “thinking” that uses logic to come to an understanding.

• Contains 2 types of rationalism.
• Inductive and deductive reasoning

Can have flaws as:

• Jumping to conclusions
• Ignoring evidence that contradicts personal beliefs

Question 14

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 14

A type of rationalism

• Making general conclusions based on specific observations.

Can be wrong:

• Making conclusions based off one observation “all swans are white” when there are in fact black swans.

Question 15

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 15

A type of rationalism

• Making specific conclusions based off a general law.

Can be wrong:

• General law may not be appropriate to the situation “all birds can fly” when penguins and other birds can’t.

Question 16

Empiricism

Answer 16

A “method” of obtaining knowledge directly or indirectly.

Directly (through the senses)
- Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.

Indirectly (through interviewing)
Can be flawed:
- Senses may deceive us.
- Have to rely on honesty

Question 17

Pseudoscience

Answer 17

When claims are made, that suggest they are supported by evidence.

• Claims do not contain any evidence to support them.
• The study was not completely conducted or documented completely.
• Relies on anecdotal evidence.
• Can’t be reproduced under controlled conditions.

Question 18

Decolonising

Answer 18

A process of dismantling the structures, systems and ideologies of colonialism, which shaped various aspects of society, including academia and knowledge production.

• Acknowledges that psychology has been inherently biased towards white western populations.
• Recognises history of other cultures outside the western world.
• Creates more inclusive environment for diverse populations.
• WEIRD: western, educated, industrial, rich, democratic.