2 kind of Empricial Methods (observational)

Goals of Psychology:

  • Describe behavior: The first step is to describe behavior and understand why it occurs.

  • Explain behavior: To explain behavior, we must identify its causes.

  • Predict behavior: Standardized tests can measure the likelihood of certain behaviors, like predicting success in college.

  • Control behavior: Clinical psychology focuses on helping individuals with psychopathology lead normal lives.

Research Methods:

  • Goal of description: Utilize self-reports (e.g., questionnaires).

  • Goal of explanation: Find causal relationships through experiments.

  • Goal of prediction: Use regression methods to assess behavioral probabilities.

  • Goal of control: Conduct clinical research.

Variables:

  • IV (Independent Variable): Presumed cause of behavior.

  • DV (Dependent Variable): Focused on human behavior.

Theory: A set of statements summarizing, organizing, and explaining existing information about psychological phenomena.

Test: A method to assess knowledge, skills, abilities, or performance.

  • Types of Tests:

    • Standardized Tests: Administered consistently for comparisons (e.g., SAT, GRE).

    • Non-Standardized Tests: Informal assessments without uniform procedures (e.g., classroom quizzes).

  • Purposes of Testing:

    • Assessment: Measure proficiency.

    • Placement: Determine suitable educational tracks.

    • Diagnosis: Identify learning or psychological conditions.