Module 1- Psych as a Science Flashcards
1
Q
Epistemology
A
- A way of knowing/ Study of knowledge
- how we gain the truth about the world
- numerous ways of knowing; each as advantages and disadvantages (many diff types)
2
Q
Why is science the superior epistemology?
A
- Superior epistemology bc has most advantages over the other epistemologies
- defined by its approach of gaining knowledge and assumptions
- involving reasoning/ logical thinking and empiricism
3
Q
what methodology does science use?
A
Scientific Method
4
Q
what epistemology is used to gain knowledge on psych phenomena?
A
Science
5
Q
3 elements of science
A
- method
- step by steps to gain knoweldge
- steps should be the same access researchers - objective
- should be free from bias however, all humans carry some bias so therefore want to limit the amount of bias - reliable
- knowledge gained by scientific method should be replicable
- need to do this for the knowledge to be published into knowledge base
6
Q
What is science characterized by?
A
Doubt
- scientists doubt everything and need to verify everything
- verify by empirical verification
7
Q
epistemology: tenacity
A
- gaining knowledge by accepting long standing beliefs
- ex. folk wisdom, supersitions
8
Q
why is tenacity hard to change
A
- beliefs never tested for accuracy and are just accepted into society
- “everyone knows that idea”; common held beliefs
9
Q
Epistemology: Authority
A
- accepting info because it comes from a socially respected source
ex. politcal figures, celebrities.. - easy way to gain info; no thinking required we trust the person who has the higher authority
- like tenacity, no evaluation of the information and is just accepted
10
Q
Epistemology: Reasoning/ Rationalism
A
- using our own brain power to evaluate what knowledge is valid
- engaging in critical thought
- knowledge is deemed valid if out reasoning is logical
- improvement over tenacity and authority
11
Q
limitations to rationalism?
A
- Incorrect Assumptions
- Consistency
12
Q
Epistemology: Common Sense
A
- involves interaction with the phenomena
- based on empiricism
13
Q
Empiricism
A
- gaining knowledge through one or more of the 5 senses
- none= no empirical knowledge and cant use science
14
Q
Limitations to common sense and empiricism
A
- Biased perceptions
- Contradictory Empirical observations can lead to contrdictory conclusions; can’t tell us what is the superior conclusion
15
Q
Epistemology: Science
A
- involves reasoning and empiricism
- involves logical reasoning and verifying with empirical observations
- systematic empiricism; making empirical observations in a logical way
16
Q
why can’t religion be addressed scientifically?
A
- cannot gain empirical evidence/ sensory info
- not observable
- Not in the domain of science
17
Q
Scientific method
A
- series of steps researchers in science use to gather knowledge
- each step in concrete
18
Q
5 steps of scientific method
A
- identifying the problem and forming a research hypothesis
- designing an experiment
- conducting an experiment
- hypothesis testing
- conveying/ communicating the results
19
Q
what does the scientific method ensure?
A
Reliability; by replication
20
Q
for research to be incorporated in the knowledge base, what has to happen?
A
- conclusions have to be replicated by multiple researchers (peer reviewed) in order to be published
- all the researchers must get the same conclusions by following the same steps
21
Q
First Objective of Science
A
- answering who, what, when, where
- describe a new phenomenon we know little about in as much detail as possible
- by naturalistic and correlational methods
22
Q
Second Objective of Science
A
- answering why
- why is this behaviour happening
- why is this an issue
- dev theories for why this phenomenon is happening
- by experimental methods
23
Q
Third Objective of Science
A
- Predict when will it occur again
- if we can predict future occurrences then likely our explanations are accurate
- by causal explanations
24
Q
Fourth Objective of Science
A
- Intervention
- apply the scientific knowledge to better society
- prevent bad things
by real world testing
25
Research Design
- Specific steps researchers use to collect, analyze and interpret collected data
- steps in each design are standardized
26
what determines the research design
- research question
- many types of research designs, but the one you use has to be best to answer your research question
27
Main categories of research design in order of increasing researcher control
1. descriptive
2. correlational
3. quasi- experimental
4. experimental
28
Descriptive Research: Research Method
- used to describe the phenomenon
- concerned with when and what
- most natural; no researcher intervention (least amount of control)
- use this when we know very little about a phenomenon
29
Correlational Research: Research Method
- type of descriptive research
- examines the degree of relationship between variables
- no researcher manipulation
30
How is degree of correlational research measured?
Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient
(r)
ranges from -1 to 1
31
Valence
- sign on the r value
- indicates a positive (+) or negative relationship (-) between variables
32
positive correlation
- plus sign
- both variables increase of decrease together
33
Negative correlation
- Minus sign
- one variable increases the other decreases
34
Absolute value of correlation
- the actual number
- closer the number to 0= weak correlation
closer the number to 1= stronger correlation
35
correlation does not equal
CAUSATION
- know variables are related but we dont know how or if one variable is causing a change in the other
36
Differential Research
- type of correlational research
- examines variables in their natural state
- only one variable is naturally formed
37
Quasi Experimental
- more control
- mix of natural and wanting to make causal statements (where control comes in)
38
Experimental Research
- wants to determine cause
- least natural bc has most control
39
steps of experimental research
1. hypothesis; prediction on how manipulation of IV will affect DV
2. involving multiple groups: obtaining diff measures of DV to see the treatment affect
3. confounding variables; other explanations of changes in the DV that are not the IV
40
Treatment Effect
- how the DV changes during IV manipulation
- see the difference in DV in diff groups who experience diff levels of the IV
41
Confounding Variable
- other explanations for the treatment affect
42
Strengths and limitations of the high control in experimental research
-Strengths; can make definitive answers and rule out confounding variables
- limitation; creates an artificial environment ^ lack of external validity but has alot of internal validity
- often can't manipulate the situation ^ cant use this
43
2 types of cause
1. Necessary condition for cause
2. Sufficient condition for cause
44
1. necessary condition for cause
- condition is necessary for change in the DV, but not the only requirement
-. ex being female is necessary for pregnancy but not the only requirement
45
2. Sufficient condition for cause
- this condition is enough to cause the event/ DV
-but other things can cause the same effect
- ex. being scared can increase heart rate, but there are other things that can increase heart rate
