Chp. 1 The Science of Psychology

Intuition

Relying on gut feelings, emotions, or instincts; it is quick but can be biased or wrong.

Authority

Accepting a claim because it comes from a trusted or expert source; authorities can still be mistaken or biased.

Rationalism

Using logic and reasoning to reach conclusions; the conclusion depends on the assumptions or premises.

Empiricism

Gaining knowledge through observation and experience; observations can still be influenced by expectations or beliefs.

Scientific method

A systematic process that collects and evaluates empirical evidence while using logic, criticism, and methods to reduce bias.

Systematic empiricism

Answering questions through careful, planned observation rather than casual experience.

Empirical question

A question that can be answered through observation or measurement.

Public knowledge

Scientific methods and findings are shared so others can evaluate, criticize, and build on them.

Replication

Repeating a study or finding to determine whether a result is reliable rather than a one-time occurrence.

Pseudoscience

Claims presented as scientific that lack one or more essential features of science.

Falsifiability

The ability of a scientific claim to be shown wrong by evidence.

Warning signs of pseudoscience

Weak or selective evidence, avoiding meaningful testing, resisting correction, or contradicting strong scientific knowledge without strong evidence.

Describe

One goal of science: determine what is happening through careful observation.

Predict

One goal of science: determine when or under what conditions something will occur.

Explain

One goal of science: determine why something occurs by identifying causes or mechanisms.

Basic research

Research conducted mainly to understand a phenomenon or answer a fundamental question without requiring an immediate practical use.

Applied research

Research conducted mainly to address a real-world or practical problem.

Confirmation bias

The tendency to notice or remember evidence supporting what you already believe while discounting evidence against it.

Tolerance for uncertainty

Being willing to change a scientific conclusion when better evidence becomes available.

Research psychologists

Psychologists who conduct scientific research on behavior and mental processes.

Clinical psychologists

Psychologists who use psychological science to understand, assess, and treat psychological problems.

Scientist-practitioner approach

The expectation that clinical psychologists understand research, evaluate evidence, and use scientifically supported practices.

Why is common sense not enough?

People can have confident beliefs about behavior that are not supported by research, so scientific psychology tests those beliefs.

What makes science scientific?

Systematic empiricism, empirical questions, public knowledge, replication, and willingness to revise conclusions based on evidence.

How is psychology a science?

Psychology scientifically studies behavior and mental processes by asking empirical questions and systematically collecting evidence.