AP psyc unit 0

Scientific method

A self correcting process for evaluating ideas with observation and analysis

The scientific attitude

Consisted of curiosity, skepticism and humility

Critical thinking

When applying the scientific method it turns us into critical thinkers; critical thinking puts ideas to the test by examining assumptions, appraising the source discerning hidden biases evaluations evidence and assessing conclusions

Hindsight bias

The tendency to believe, after learning an outcome, that one would have foreseen it

Overconfidence

Overconfidence is the tendency to exaggerate the correctness or accuracy if our beliefs and predictions

Cognitive bias: perceiving order in random events

Humans naturally tend to see meaningful patterns and connections in random events, even when no real pattern actually exists

Theory

An explanation that applies an integrated set of principles to organized observations and generate hypotheses

Hypothesis

A testable prediction

Falsifiability

The possibility that an idea or hypothesis can be disproven by observation or experiment

Non-experimental methods

Describe but do not explain behavior, because these methods do not control for the many variables that can affect behavior

Case study

Is a non experimental technique on which one Individual or group is studied in depth in the hope of revealing universal principles

Naturalistic observation

A non experimental technique of o serving and recording behavior in naturally occurring situations without trying to manipulate or control the situation

Survey

Technique for obtaining the self reported attitudes or behavior of a particular group

Population

All those in a group being studied from which random samples may be drawn

Representative sample

A small group of people that closely reflects the larger population being studied, allowing scientists to be better generalize their finding

Random sampling

Where every person in equally likely to be selected for the assignment