Theories and Rationales

Question 1

What is a psychological theory?

Answer 1

A principle or set of principles that explain a phenomenon or event.

Question 2

What is a construct or a concept?

Answer 2

A label for an abstract characteristic/experience/state (i.e. happiness). They are usually time-bound and can not be directly observed. We therefore use indicators to show the presence or strength of them (e.g. IQ tests)

Question 3

What are processes?

Answer 3

They are descriptions of operations/relationships that can be applied to constructs or concepts (e.g. perception)

Question 4

What is social identity theory?

Answer 4

An idea that details how being a part of an ingroup affects our self concept.

Question 5

What is social dominance theory?

Answer 5

An explanation for when one’s ideologies are in favour of group-based social hierarchies.

Question 6

What are six types of rationale?

Answer 6

Novel contribution (first test of a principle/hypothesis), testing competing explanations, replication of a result that is not widely researched, extension of existing research, new contribution to methodology, new contribution to practice.

Question 7

What are the two types of replication of a research method?

Answer 7

exact replication and conceptual replication (there are some minor changes to the methodology)

Question 8

Does the theory for your hypothesis rationale have to be from the same subject area?

Answer 8

No