Psychological Science Practices: Research Methods and Data Interpretation

James Randi's Approach

Magician James Randi (1928-2020) used observation and experimentation to test claims of extrasensory perception (ESP).

  • Example: Testing aura seers to determine if they could identify his location behind a wall.

Key Elements of the Scientific Attitude

The scientific attitude involves skepticism and open-mindedness.

  • It requires testing ideas to see if data supports predictions.

  • Science is self-cleansing, discarding wrong ideas and retaining right ones.

Elements:

  1. Curiosity: Does it work? Can predictions be confirmed?

  2. Skepticism: What do you mean? How do you know? Distinguishes reality from fantasy.

  3. Humility: Awareness of vulnerability to error and openness to surprises.

The Rat Is Always Right

Psychology's early motto emphasizes the importance of accepting truths revealed by questioning and testing.

  • If observations contradict predictions, ideas should be revised.

Developing Arguments Questions

Enhance your ability to develop arguments based on scientifically derived evidence.

  1. Identify the reasoning against extrasensory mind-reading.

  2. Explain why skepticism is important in science using scientific evidence.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking examines assumptions, appraises the source, discerns hidden biases, evaluates evidence, and assesses conclusions.

  • It involves asking questions about the basis of claims and potential alternative explanations.

  • Critical thinkers question factual claims based on gut feelings.

  • Critical inquiry can lead to surprising discoveries and debunk popular presumptions.

Examples:

  • Massive losses of brain tissue early in life may have minimal long-term effects.

  • People of differing age, gender, and wealth report roughly comparable levels of personal happiness.

  • Depression touches many people, but most recover.

  • Sleepwalkers are not acting out their dreams.

  • Repressed memories cannot be immediately replayed with brain stimulation or hypnosis.

Module 0.1 Review

  • Psychology's findings result from a scientific approach based on observation and testing.

  • The scientific attitude equips us with curiosity, skepticism, and humility when scrutinizing ideas.

  • Critical thinking tests ideas by examining assumptions, appraising sources, discerning biases, evaluating evidence, and assessing conclusions.

AP® Practice Multiple Choice Questions

  1. Which element of the scientific attitude should Harrison improve if he wants to engage in scientific inquiry more effectively?- c. Humility

  2. If Harrison wanted to increase his use of critical thinking, which of the following questions might he ask?- c. How can I interpret this result?

  3. What is the name of the approach that uses observation and testing to draw conclusions?- c. Scientific

  4. Which of the following best illustrates a skeptical attitude?- b. After Matsuo's mother told him that chewing on his fingernails might make him sick, Matsuo asked her to provide an explanation of how he might get sick from chewing his nails.

  5. Which of the elements of a scientific attitude is most associated with the question, "Does it work?"- d. Curiosity

  6. Why is psychology considered a science?- a. Psychological researchers rely on observation and experimentation when testing claims.