The Importance of Research in Psychology

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the importance of scientific research in understanding behavior and guiding decisions.

Scientific research

A critical tool for understanding behavior and guiding personal and public decisions.

Empirical knowledge

Knowledge grounded in objective, verifiable evidence that can be repeatedly observed.

Deductive reasoning

A method of reasoning from general premises to specific conclusions.

Inductive reasoning

A method of reasoning that involves gathering facts to create or refine a theory.

Hypothesis

A testable prediction about how the world will behave if a theory is correct.

Falsifiable

The capacity of a hypothesis to be proven incorrect through evidence.

Fact

An observable reality that is established through empirical research.

Theory

A well-developed set of ideas that propose explanations for observed phenomena.

D.A.R.E. Program

A popular drug abuse resistance education program in schools that has been criticized for being largely ineffective.

Cyclical nature of scientific method

The process of testing and refining theories based on empirical evidence, allowing for self-correction and continual improvement.