Chapter 1: Psychology - A Way of Thinking

These flashcards cover key concepts in psychology research methods, including the roles of producers and consumers, empiricism, the scientific method, theories, hypotheses, and the norms governing scientific inquiry.

What are the two roles in psychology research mentioned in the notes?

Producers and consumers.

What is the importance of being a good consumer in psychology?

It helps critically assess research conclusions, ask questions about results, and identify effective programs.

What does empiricism hold as the source of true knowledge?

True knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience.

What method do empiricists use to gather evidence?

The scientific method, which involves testing hypotheses and theories against observations.

What cycle helps scientists test, change, or update their theories?

The theory-data cycle.

What is a hypothesis?

A prediction stated in terms of the study design, derived from the theory being tested.

What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

Good theories can be tested to find support or lack of support; if you cannot test it, it is not a good theory.

What are Merton's four norms for scientists?

Universalism, disinterestedness, organized skepticism, and community.

What is the difference between basic and applied research?

Basic research investigates fundamental principles and theories, while applied research addresses specific practical problems.

What is the purpose of peer review in scientific research?

To ensure the draft article meets appropriate scientific rigor before publication.

What are the two roles in psychology research mentioned in the notes?

Producers and consumers.

What is the importance of being a good consumer in psychology?

It helps critically assess research conclusions, ask questions about results, and identify effective programs.

What does empiricism hold as the source of true knowledge?

True knowledge comes only or primarily from sensory experience.

What method do empiricists use to gather evidence?

The scientific method, which involves testing hypotheses and theories against observations.

What cycle helps scientists test, change, or update their theories?

The theory-data cycle.

What is a hypothesis?

A prediction stated in terms of the study design, derived from the theory being tested.

What does it mean for a theory to be falsifiable?

Good theories can be tested to find support or lack of support; if you cannot test it, it is not a good theory.

What are Merton's four norms for scientists?

Universalism, disinterestedness, organized skepticism, and community.

What is the difference between basic and applied research?

Basic research investigates fundamental principles and theories, while applied research addresses specific practical problems.

What is the purpose of peer review in scientific research?

To ensure the draft article meets appropriate scientific rigor before publication.

In scientific research, what is a theory?

A set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to one another.

What is 'data' in the context of the theory-data cycle?

A set of observations that can either support or challenge a theory.

What is the scientific method?

A systematic approach to testing hypotheses and building theories about the natural world based on empirical evidence.

What is an abstract in a research article?

A concise summary of a research article, providing an overview of the study's purpose, methods, results, and conclusions.