Psychology as a Science Flashcards
Define observable.
Based on the examination and measurement of behaviours which are visible for all to see.
Define objective.
Not affected by personal feelings or opinions.
Define testable.
Open to direct assessment and measurement through hypothesis testing.
Define empirical.
The view that knowledge can only come through direct observation or experiment rather than by reasoned argument or belief.
Define replicable.
Ensuring measures and procedures are standardised in order to see if consistent results can be obtained.
Define falsifiable.
The idea that we cannot prove anything to be true we can only attempt to prove something wrong, within set bounds of certainty.
Define causality.
The relationship between cause and effect.
Define peer reviewed.
Where fellow scientists evaluate research to assess its contribution.
Define reductionism.
Reductionism is the belief that human behaviour can be explained by breaking it down into simpler component parts. Scientific study requires the isolation of variables to make it possible to identify the causes of behaviour. Breaking complicated behaviour’s down to small parts means that they can be scientifically tested.
Define validity.
Internal validity is testing what is intended to be tested. Researchers achieve this by using controls to minimise the effects of extraneous/confounding variables.
