Theories, Validity, and Replicability

LO1.4. Describe how theories are developed, explain forms of validity, and the importance of replicability

What is a theory in social psychology?

An organised explanation of how and why social phenomena occur. Theories integrate findings and make testable predictions.

How are theories developed and refined?

Observation → hypothesis → empirical research → findings → theory is adjusted or extended. Theories are continuously refined through evidence and critique.

What does Social Identity Theory explain?

How membership of social groups influences people's self-concept and behaviour, including ingroup bias and intergroup conflict.

What is falsifiability?

The idea that a theory must make testable predictions that could potentially be shown to be wrong.

What is internal validity?

Whether the effects observed were genuinely caused by the variables being studied.

What is external validity?

Whether findings generalise to other people, settings, or times.

What is construct validity?

Whether a study accurately measures the theoretical concept it claims to measure.

What is ecological validity?

Whether research reflects real-life contexts and behaviour.

Why is there a trade-off between control and realism in research?

More control can increase confidence that variables caused an effect, but highly controlled research may be less realistic.

More realistic research can better reflect real life but may have less control over variables.

Why is replication important in psychology?

Replication helps determine whether findings are reliable and builds confidence in psychological research.

What is the replication crisis?

Evidence that some psychological findings have been difficult to reproduce when studies are repeated.

What is open science?

Practices that increase transparency and reproducibility, such as preregistration and sharing data, code, and research materials.

What are registered reports?

A research format where the study's methods and analysis plan are reviewed before the research is conducted.