Psych 213W - Ch 1 - Introduction, Acquiring Knowledge, and the Scientific Method

Experiment

A test under controlled conditions to demonstrate a known truth, examine a hypothesis, or determine efficacy.

Psychology

The scientific study of the mind and behavior.

Critical Thinking

The objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment.

Method of Tenacity

The acceptance of information as true because it has always been believed or supported by superstition.

Method of Intuition

Acceptance of information based on a hunch or spontaneous perception.

Method of Authority

Acceptance of information as true because an authority figure states it.

Rational Method

A way of understanding the world based on logical reasoning and premises.

The Empirical Method

Knowledge obtained directly through observation and sensory experience.

Hypothesis

A statement predicting a relationship between variables; a testable prediction.

Inductive Reasoning theory generation

Forming generalizations from specific observations.

Deductive Reasoning hypothesis generation

Drawing specific conclusions from general statements.

Causality

The principle that every event has a cause.

Theory

A set of interrelated concepts that explains a phenomenon and generates testable predictions.

Operational Definition

A precise statement of the meaning of a procedure or concept within research.

Paradigm Shift

A significant change in scientific theories and assumptions.

Quantitative Research

Studies that produce numerical scores and are analyzed statistically.

Qualitative Research

Studies that produce non-numerical data and are summarized narratively.

Confound

An external variable that might affect the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation does not imply causation; just because two variables are associated does not mean one causes the other.

Variables

Characteristics or conditions that can change or have different values in individuals.

Empirical Method

Knowledge obtained directly through observation and sensory experience.

Objective

Same observations can be made by anyone, making science a universal means for understanding.

Public

Observations available for evaluation by others.

Self-Correcting

The process by which new evidence may contradict or correct what is currently known, leading to an evolution of understanding. Example: The debate between nature vs. nurture in determining behavior.

Progressive

Moving forward toward truth and adding more information to what was previously known.

Tentative

Able to be changed and never certain since new knowledge may make current knowledge obsolete.

Parsimonious

Uses the simplest explanation possible to account for a given phenomenon.

Theory

A set of interrelated concepts that explains a phenomenon and generates testable predictions.

Causality

The principle that every event has a cause.

Correlation vs. Causation

Correlation does not imply causation; just because two variables are associated does not mean one causes the other.

Roles of Theories

Theories organize knowledge and explain relationships, predicting new relationships, allowing for the study of various phenomena. explains relationships

Theory's Explanation of Facts

A fact is explained by relating it to a general relationship or hypothesis within a theory.

Theory's Explanation of Hypotheses

A hypothesis is explained by its relation to a theory.

Attributes of Better Theories

Better theories can explain more events and hypotheses and do so with greater precision.

Predictive Nature of Theories

Good theories can predict new relationships or hypotheses, explaining many different relationships and previously unrelated ones.

Guiding Research

A good theory provides a theoretical framework within which researchers work, suggesting new experiments and guiding alternative methods.

Operationism

A view that scientific concepts must be defined in terms of observable operations (measurable).

Operational Definition

A statement of the precise meaning of a procedure or concept within an experiment, helping define the construct being tested/measured and allowing researchers to replicate work/results.

Converging Operations

Using different operational definitions to arrive at the meaning of a concept.