chapter 1

Question 1

what do psychologists base their ideas on

Answer 1

• behaviour on studies they have conducted with animals or people

Question 2

who do empiricists base their conclusions on

Answer 2

systematic observations

Question 3

what are producers

Answer 3

• publish papers and work as a researcher or professor

Question 4

what are consumers

Answer 4

• like reading about studies and apply things they have read to their work field

Question 5

why is it important to be a good consumer of research

Answer 5

• important to know how to distinguish between good and bad studies when reading

Question 6

what do therapists need to follow

Answer 6

• evidence-based treatments

Question 7

what is empiricism

Answer 7

• using evidence from the senses or from instruments that assist the senses as the basis of conclusions

Question 8

what do empiricists aim to be

Answer 8

• systematic and rigorous
• to make their work independently verifiable by other researchers

Question 9

what do empiricists not based their conclusions on

Answer 9

intuition, experiences or observations

Question 10

what is the theory-data cycle

Answer 10

• scientists collect data to test, change, or update their theories

Question 11

what is a theory

Answer 11

a set of statements that describes general principles about how variables relate to each other
- lead to specific hypotheses

Question 12

what is a hypothesis

Answer 12

• can be seen as a prediction
• it’s stated in terms of study design
• the specific outcome the researcher will observe in a study if the theory is correct
• one theory can have many hypotheses

Question 13

what is data

Answer 13

• a set of observations
• can support or undermine theory

Question 14

what does it mean if a hypothesis is preregistered

Answer 14

• after the study is designed but before collecting any data, the researcher states publicly what the study’s outcome is expected to be

Question 15

what are qualities of the best theories

Answer 15

• supported by data, falsifiable, parsimonious

Question 16

why can’t we ever PROVE a theory

Answer 16

• scientists avoid inferences they cannot support with direct observation

Question 17

what is falsifiablity

Answer 17

a theory that can lead to hypotheses, that when tested, could fail to support the theory

Question 18

what is parsimony

Answer 18

• the theory needs to be as simple as possible

Question 19

what are the 4 norms shared by scientists according to Merton

Answer 19

• universalism
• communality
• disinterestedness
• organised skepticism

Question 20

what is the universality norm

Answer 20

• scientific claims that are evaluated according to their merit, independent of the researchers credentials or reputation
• same criteria applies to all scientists

Question 21

what is the communality norm

Answer 21

scientific knowledge is created by a community and its findings belong to the community

Question 22

what is disinterestedness norm

Answer 22

• scientists strive to discover the truth and are not swayed by conviction, idealism, politics or profit
• not personally invested in the outcome

Question 23

what is the organised skepticism norm

Answer 23

scientists should question everything including their own theories and widely accepted ideas

Question 24

what is applied research

Answer 24

• done with a practical problem in mind
• conducted in local, real-world context
• applied to solve real life problems

Question 25

what is basic research

Answer 25

- conducted to enhance the general body of knowledge rather than a specific, practical problem - knowledge may be applied to real-world issues later on

Question 26

what is translational research

Answer 26

the use of lessons from basic research to develop and test applications, psychotherapy and other forms of treatment - seen as a bridge between basic and applied research

Question 27

how do scientists publish their work

Answer 27

- in scientific journals

Question 28

what is publishing research in a scientific journal an example of

Answer 28

- the communality norm

Question 29

how often do scientific journals come out

Answer 29

once a month

Question 30

what needs to be done before the article is published

Answer 30

peer review

Question 31

what is the peer review process of a scientific journal

Answer 31

- journal editor sends paper to 3 or 4 experts on subject - experts report back flaws - editor decides whether the decides whether the paper should be published

Question 32

what do the experts comment on during peer review

Answer 32

- how important the work is - how it fits with existing knowledge - how competently the research was done - how convincing the results are

Question 33

what is journalism

Answer 33

- a second hand report about the research, written by a journalist or lay people

Question 34

what are advantages of science journalism

Answer 34

- fullfills the communality norm - sharing to the general public - easy to access - understanding it does not require specialised education

Question 35

what is the Mozart effect

Answer 35

- suggests how journalists might misinterpret science when they write for a popular audience - Rauscher found that when students heard Mozart music played for 10 mins they performed better on spatial intelligence tests when compared to students who listened to silence or a monotone speaking voice - they did not find effect for general intelligence - journals reported Mozart makes you smart