Chapter 1 Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is the principle of testability in the scientific method?
Scientific method can only be used to examine ideas that can be falsified.
Falsifiability provides for stronger tests of explanations.
Why do psychologists conduct research?
Behavioral research can help confirm information is accurate.
Researchers cannot prove facts but can support ideas with data.
What is an authority in the context of research?
A source of information that is most likely accurate.
Define observation in research.
The direct gathering of information.
What is intuition based on?
Previous knowledge.
What does deduction refer to in research?
The act of using knowledge to make inferences.
How can knowing research basics benefit individuals?
It helps people interpret reports and evaluate claims.
How does research knowledge aid clinicians?
It helps address issues people encounter in many areas.
What can learning about research help with in other courses?
It provides knowledge about everyday behaviors.
What is empiricism in research?
Assumption that observations yield the most accurate information.
How is empiricism used in research?
Observation in a normal environment, surveys, tasks, and replication.
Replication assures behaviors are not due to chance.
What is determinism in psychology?
Assumption that phenomena have identifiable causes.
How is determinism applied in research?
- Description of behaviors
- Identification of related behaviors
- Testing specific causes of changes
What is the effect of confirmation bias in research?
It leads to ignoring contradictory evidence.
What is the goal of basic research?
To understand fundamental processes.
Give an example of a topic studied in basic research.
Insomnia and anxiety.
What is external validity?
The degree to which research can be applied to real situations.
What concept does parsimony refer to in research?
Simple explanations are more likely to be correct.
What is the goal of applied research?
To answer questions to solve real problems.
What can applied studies help researchers achieve?
Refine their theories.
True or False: Not all research fits neatly into basic or applied categories.
True.
What happens to the direction of investigation when an explanation is not supported?
It must change.
What is one way observation contributes to research?
It provides a more objective way to gain knowledge.
