Term
| 5 Functions of Psychology as a Science |
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Definition
1.Theory explains behavior
2.Research describes behavior
3.Research predicts behavior
4.Research understands behavior
5.Application of research controls and/or improves behavior |
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Term
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Definition
a general explanation of natural phenomena that guides research and organizes
knowledge; integrates several relationships between a set of variables and some behavior. |
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Term
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Definition
| any quantity or quality that can take on a range of values; scientists can manipulate/ control them or can measure them. |
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Definition
| Count frequency of objectively, completely observed behavior, calculate average group behavior, and/or track individual changes over time |
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Definition
| repeat observation of behavior over time and across situations, in order to establish consistency and generalizability |
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Term
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Definition
A. Correlational Research – predict
B. Survey Research – predict
C. Experimental Research – understand
D. Naturalistic Observation - predict/Field Experiment - understand
E. Case study - predict/Single-subject experiment - understand |
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Term
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Definition
| a statistical measure of the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables. |
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Term
| Strength scale of a Correlation |
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Definition
.00-.19 = none
.20-.39 = weak
.40-.59 = moderate
.60-1.00 = strong |
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Term
| Direction of a Correlation |
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Definition
Positive: As variable 1 ↑, variable 2 ↑
Negative: As variable 1 ↑, variable 2 ↓ |
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Term
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Definition
Employs statistical methods to examine the relationship between two or more variables.
Advantages: Allows the study of relationships between variables that cannot be studied with other research methods; allows prediction of behavior.
Limitations: Does not permit researchers to draw conclusions regarding cause-and-effect relationships. |
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Term
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Definition
A causal relationship between two correlated variables cannot be determined because….
Variable 1 → Variable 2
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Variable 2 → Variable 1
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Variable 1 ↔ Variable 2 |
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Term
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Definition
Many subjects are asked a set of questions. One subtype of correlational research.
Advantages: Enables a large amount of data to be gathered quickly and inexpensively.
Limitations: Sampling biases can skew results. Poorly constructed questions result in ambiguous
data. Accuracy depends on ability and willingness of subjects to answer questions accurately. |
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Term
| Experimental Research: Understand cause of behavior |
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Definition
One or more variables are manipulated and the effect of that manipulation on other variables is studied.
Advantages: Strict control of variables allows cause-and-effect relationships to be discovered.
Limitations: Lab setting is artificial. Uncontrolled variables may confound results. Many variables are impossible to control and manipulate. |
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Term
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Definition
| getting the same results over time for either individual or multiple people tested |
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Definition
| consistent behavior over time or across situations |
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Naturalistic Observation – Predict/
Field Experiment - Understand |
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Definition
Human or animal behavior is observed in the environment in which it occurs naturally.
Advantages: Provides behavioral information that may be more accurate than reports after the fact. Subjects’ behavior is more natural. A rich source of hypotheses.
Limitations: An observer may alter behavior. Observer’s recording may be biased. It is unclear whether observations can be generalized to other settings/subjects. |
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Term
| Case study – predict/Single-subject experiment - understand |
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Definition
Behavior of one person or a few people is studied in depth.
Advantages: Yields much descriptive information. Useful for forming hypotheses.
Limitations: May not include a representative sample. Can be time-consuming and expensive. Observer bias is a potential problem. |
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Term
Steps in the Scientific Method
Theory to Application |
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Definition
1. Identify a problem/puzzle of interest about humans.
2. Search for relevant theories and past empirical results of research by doing a literature review.
AND/OR
Make and record observations in the real world when little is known about a topic of interest.
3. Identify key variables and possible relationships between them (either causal or predictive). |
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Term
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Definition
| a group of people you are interested in studying |
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