Final-1 Flashcards
(29 cards)
Scientific Approach to Understanding Behavior
involves systematically observing, measuring, and testing psychological phenomena to draw objective, evidence-based conclusions.
Intuition
the ability to understand or know something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning or evidence.
Authority
Accepting information as true because it comes from a respected source or expert rather than from direct evidence or personal experience.
Empiricism
The belief that knowledge comes primarily from sensory experience and observation forms the basis for scientific investigation.
to Conclude Causation
covariation of cause and effect
temporal precedence
elimination of plausible alternative
explanations
covariation of cause and effect
refers to the principle that for one variable to be considered the cause of another, changes in the cause must be systematically associated with changes in the effect.
Basic research
research that is directed to simply gathering knowledge for the sake of gathering knowledge
Ex: Benjamin Franklin and electricity
Applied research
Research directed towards a practical application.
Skeptical attitude
questioning claims, seeking evidence, and being cautious about accepting conclusions without sufficient proof.
Hypotheses
an assertion about what is true in a particular situation
Ex: a person will enjoy work less if they are overpaid.
Theories
organize and explain facts
generate new knowledge
Ethical research
3 basic ethical principles of research
1. Beneficence
2. Respect for persons (autonomy)
3. Justice
Belmont Report
Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the
Protection of Human Subjects of
Research
beneficence
the ethical principle of maximizing benefits and minimizing harm to participants in psychological research
Informed consent (autonomy)
The ethical principle is that individuals must be fully informed about a study and voluntarily agree to participate, respecting their right to make decisions about their own involvement.
debriefing
The researcher reveals the full nature of the experiment
The researcher assures that the subject has not experienced distress
The researcher gets information about subjects’ perspectives on participation
Good for both the researcher and the subject
justice (selection of subjects)
The ethical principle is that research participants should be selected fairly, ensuring that the benefits and burdens of research are equitably distributed across all groups.
IRB
Institutional Review Board
Any institution that receives funding has an IRB. The IRB must consist of at least five people, one of whom must be outside the institution.
Submit an application to the IRB for review and approval.
Operational definitions of variables
A precise, measurable way of defining a variable in a study, specifying how it will be observed, measured, or manipulated.
Example: Defining “stress” as the score on a self-reported stress scale.
Relationships (linear, curvilinear)
A linear relationship means that as one variable changes, the other changes in a straight line.
A curvilinear relationship means the change between variables isn’t a straight line; it can curve or change direction.
Nonexperimental vs. experimental methods
Nonexperimental
- Observe or measure variables of interest
- Behavior is observed as it naturally occurs
Experimental
- Involves direct manipulation and control of variables
- Manipulate one variable and measure some aspect of behavior
control
methods used to eliminate or reduce the influence of extraneous variables, ensuring that the results are due to the factor being studied and not other influences.
randomization
process of assigning participants to different groups or conditions in a study randomly
IV (independent variable)
the factor in an experiment that is manipulated or changed by the researcher
