Chapter 1: Scientific Understanding of Behavior

Question 1

Why study research methods?

Answer 1

1. Many occupations require the use of research findings
2. Research has become more prominent in public policy decisions
3. To understand research results that are reported by the media
4. It can satisfy curiosity and answer questions

Question 2

Basic or Applied?

Is extraversion related to sensation seeking?

Answer 2

Basic

Question 3

Basic or Applied?

Which coping strategies are best for tsunami survivors?

Answer 3

Applied

Question 4

To determine causation of behavior, what three types of evidence are required? Describe them

Answer 4

1. Temporal precedence (the cause precedes the effect)
2. Covariation of cause and effect (when cause is present, an effect should occur, when cause is NOT present the effect should NOT occur)
3. Alternative explanations (nothing other than the causal variable can be responsible for the observed effect)

Question 5

What are the four characteristics of scientific inquiry?

Answer 5

1. Data play a central role
2. Scientists are not alone (replication)
3. Open exchange and competition among ideas (theories battle each other to get closer to the truth)
4. Research is peer-reviewed

Question 6

What is basic research?

Answer 6

Tries to answer questions about the nature of behavior; addresses theoretical issues

Question 7

What is the fundamental characteristic of The Scientific Approach?

Answer 7

Empiricism

Question 8

What are some limitations of intuition?

Answer 8

1. Cognitive and Motivational biases
2. Illusory Correlation
3. Authority

Question 9

What are the goals of science? To____ behavior

Answer 9

1. To describe behavior
2. To predict behavior
3. To determine the causes of behavior
4. To explain behavior

Question 10

How can you determine whether or not a claim is pseudoscientific?

Answer 10

1. Claim is untestable and can’t be refuted
2. Relies on biased or vague language
3. Only confirmatory evidence is presented
4. Methodological information is lacking

Question 11

What is applied research?

Answer 11

Tries to address issues in which there are practical problems and potential solutions

Question 12

What is empiricism?

Answer 12

The idea that scientific results and facts/knowledge come from observation

Question 13

What are the two components of empiricism?

Answer 13

1. An idea must be studied under conditions in which it can be either supported or refuted
2. An idea must be researched in a way that can be observed and replicated by others

Question 14

What is illusory correlation?

Answer 14

Focusing on two independent events/variables that happen occur together and believing them to be correlated/have a relationship

Question 15

People use intuition to what?

Answer 15

Draw conclusions about the world around us