Chapter 2: Developing and Evaluating Theories of Behavior

What is the purpose of conducting research?

To develop proposed explanations for phenomena and to evaluate and test developed theories.

What is a theory?

A plausible or scientifically acceptable, well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world.

What should a good theory be able to do?

A good theory should account for data, be testable, parsimonious, have explanatory relevance, and be predictable.

What sets a hypothesis apart from a theory?

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation that can be tested, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation that has been rigorously tested.

What does 'hypothesis ≠ prediction' mean?

A hypothesis is an explanation that leads to predictions about outcomes, but it is not itself a prediction.

What is a law in scientific terms?

An empirically verified, quantitative relationship between two or more variables.

What is a model in the context of theory?

A specific implementation of a more general theoretical view, representing an application of a theory.

What is the difference between mechanistic and functional explanations?

Mechanistic explanations describe the components and how something works, while functional explanations describe the purpose and function of something.

What is a quantitative theory?

A theory in which terms are expressed mathematically rather than verbally.

What defines a qualitative theory?

A theory that does NOT express its variables in numerical terms.

What is a descriptive theory?

A theory that describes how variables are related without attempting to explain the relationships.

What characterizes an analogical theory?

A theory that explains relationships through analogy to a well-understood model.

What is a fundamental theory?

A theory that models an underlying reality that produces observed relationships among variables.

What does 'domain' refer to in theory?

The range of situations to which a theory applies, also known as the scope of a theory.

What is confirmational strategy?

A strategy for testing a theory that seeks evidence confirming the theory's predictions.

What is disconfirmational strategy?

A method of testing a theory by conducting research to disprove its predictions.

What does strong inference involve?

A strategy for testing a theory through a series of systematic research studies to rule out alternative explanations.

What is the primary role of theories in science?

To understand and explain phenomena, predict behaviors, and assist in organizing and analyzing research results.

What factors make a theory good?

Ability to account for data, testability, parsimony, explanatory relevance, and predictability.

How do you differentiate between descriptive and fundamental theories?

Descriptive theories describe relationships among variables, while fundamental theories explain specific areas of research without analogy.

What is one key characteristic of a hypothesis?

It is a tentative explanation that can be tested and potentially rejected.

What is an example of a well-supported theory?

Darwin’s theory of evolution, which explains how species change over time.

How does a good theory relate to known phenomena?

It must successfully account for known phenomena and predict outcomes of new observations.

What question does a hypothesis answer?

A hypothesis suggests a specific, testable explanation for an observation or phenomenon.

What role do new theories play in scientific research?

They can provide new ideas and direction for further research.

How do theories help with organizing research results?

They provide a framework for explaining and analyzing the results.

What distinguishes qualitative from quantitative approaches in theories?

Qualitative approaches do not use numerical definitions, while quantitative approaches involve mathematical expressions.

Why is parsimonious important in theory?

Parsimony means eliminating unnecessary assumptions, making the theory simpler and more elegant.

What is the term for a theory explaining a relationship through analogy?

Analogical theory.

What is an example of a mechanism explained in mechanistic explanations?

The activation of the amygdala, which triggers the hypothalamus and results in stress hormones release.