T3 Slide W1 Flashcards

1
Q

Why do we need the Scientific Method? (5)

A

Human Judgement is not reliable. We rely heavily on techniques such as:

  • Intuition
  • Heuristics/Biases
  • Perception vs Reality
  • Human Observation
  • Reliance on Authority
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2
Q

How do Psychologists know things?

A

Use the Scientific Method to observe and measure reliably

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3
Q

What are some non-science ways of knowing?

A
  • Intuition
  • Heuristics/Biases
  • Perception vs Reality
  • Human Observation
  • Reliance on Authority
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4
Q

Why do we not trust human Judgement?

A

Human Judgement is not reliable and humans are fallible.

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5
Q

Non Science ways of knowing (5)

A
  • Tenacity
  • Intuition
  • Authority
  • Rationalism
  • Empiricism
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6
Q

Explain Psychology and Research

A

In order to study the mind scientifically we need to develop agreed upon methods for acquiring knowledge.

We use the Scientific Method to ensure this as best we can

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7
Q

Brain in a Vat Scenario

A
  • A scenario where a “mad Scientist” puts a brain in a jar and sustains it’s life force
  • The brain is attached to a computer and is able to think and feel normally
  • The brain believes it is real and alive. It does not know it is merely a simulation
  • Do we even need a body? Is our body real?
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8
Q

Tenacity

A

Acquiring Knowledge through superstition and or habit

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9
Q

Intuition

A

Acquiring Knowledge that is not based on reason or logic

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10
Q

Reliance on Authority

A

Accepting information because it is from a respected source or authority

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11
Q

Rationalism

A

Acquisition of knowledge through reasoning

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12
Q

Empiricism

A

Acquiring knowledge through experience

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13
Q

What do we accept as evidence of truth?

A
  • Science is based on evidence
  • Evidence must be reproducible
  • Objective evidence requires an objective process
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14
Q

Goals of Science (4)

A
  1. Describe
  2. Predict
  3. Determine Cause
  4. Explain
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15
Q

What is good scientific Research? (8)

A
  • Based on the work of others
  • can be replicated
  • Is generalisable to other settings
  • Is based on some logical rationale and tied to theory
  • Is doable
  • Generates new questions
  • Is incremental
  • Is an apolitical activity
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16
Q

What does all Good Research have in common?

A
  • The process taken to find the truth is based on the scientific method
  • If the process is sound then the conclusion will be sound
17
Q

Hypothetic-Deductive Model of Scientific Research

A
  • Karl Popper: The Logic of Scientific Discovery
  • he said “there are no statements in science which cannot be tested”
  • suggested falsification of theories could demonstrate them as untrue
  • Theories in principle could not be proven only refuted
18
Q

Can we ever know the absolute truth?

A
  • the Scientific method is the best method available for establishing the truth
  • it is an objective way of observing, thinking about and solving problems.
19
Q

The Process of the Scientific Method (8)

A
  1. Asking the Question
  2. Identifying Important Factors
  3. Formulating a Hypothesis
  4. Collecting Relevant Information
  5. Testing the hypothesis
  6. Working with the Hypothesis
  7. Reconsider the Theory
  8. Asking a new Question
20
Q

The Scientific Process - Asking a Question

A
  • Arise as a result of curiosity or need to find an answer
  • Questions guide the direction a research field takes
21
Q

The Scientific Process - Identifying Important Factors

A

Factors should:

  • Not have been investigated previously
  • Contribute to understanding
  • Available to investigate
  • Hold interest personally and/or professionally
  • Lead to other questions

Important factors could be:

Age, gender, experience, motivations for dangerous driving, campaign valence

22
Q

The Scientific Process - Formulating a hypothesis

A
  • A Hypothesis is an educated guess; If, then, else
  • are declarative
  • posit an expected relationship
  • reflect theory and literature
  • brief and to the point
  • are testable
23
Q

The Scientific Process - Collecting Relevant Information

A
  • We set out to test hypotheses not to prove them
  • We aim to reveal the truth (as much as possible) whether we like the result or not
  • Being wrong isn’t bad it just leads to more questions
  • Always ask another question
24
Q

The Scientific Process - Testing the Hypothesis

  • How do you know if you have a difference or not?
  • How do we know its not just random differences?
A
  • Inferential Statistics allow us to assign probability level to our findings
  • Allows us to figure out if the effect we are seeing is real or due to chance or something else.
25
Q

The Scientific Process - Working with the hypothesis

A
  • Does your data support your hypothesis
  • Results provide a valuable outcome either way
  • Do the scientific community value null results?
26
Q

Inferential Statistics

A
  • provide ways of testing the reliability of the findings of a study
  • Allows us to “infer” characteristics from a small sample population onto much larger the populations.
27
Q

Null Hypothesis

A
  • The hypothesis that there is no significant difference between specified populations, any observed difference being due to sampling or experimental error
28
Q

The Scientific Process - Reconsider the Theory

A
  • All theories are tentative - they evolve over time
  • Observations in science must be replicable
  • Science acknowledges it is fallible
  • Nothing is ever proved absolutely
  • Scientists remain alert to alternative explanations
29
Q

All Theories are Tentative - They evolve over time

A
  • Observations in science must be replicable
  • Science acknowledges it is fallible
  • Nothing is ever proved absolutely
  • Scientists/researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations
  • Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude
    • a genuine desire to understand the way things are
30
Q

Observations in Science must be replicable

A
31
Q

Science acknowledges it is fallible

A
32
Q

Nothing is ever Proved absolutely

A
33
Q

Scientists/Researchers remain sceptical and alert to alternative explanations

A
34
Q

Science and research are essentially a matter of attitude - a genuine desire to understand the way things are

A
35
Q

Desrcibe Basic Research

A
  • tries to answer fundamental questions about the nature of behaviour
  • often designe to address theoretical issues such as emotion, motivation or personality development
  • Doesn’t seek to solve problems and no specific applications are looked at
  • High degrees of control and emphasises on refuting or supporting theories and explaining how the world works
36
Q

Describe Applied Research

A
  • conducted to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions
  • Takes place in the real world
  • is less controlled, strict research protocols may need to be relaxed.
37
Q

Compare Basic & Applied Research

A
  • Both are important and neither is superior
  • progress in science is dependent on synergy between both styles
  • Applied research is often guided by basic research investigations
38
Q

What are two common types of research methods?

A

Basic and Applied Research

39
Q

What kinds of statistics should I use to figure out the probability that my hypothesis is false?

A

Inferential Statistics