Impact of Scientific Research

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Questions and Answers

Which scientist is known as the ‘father of immunology’ for his role in vaccinations?

Edward Jenner (correct)

Norman Borlaug

Fritz Haber

Albert Schweitzer

What major public health achievement is linked to Edward Jenner's research?

Development of the polio vaccine

Discovery of antibiotics

Creation of synthetic fertilizers

Eradication of smallpox (correct)

Which of the following individuals contributed to the Green Revolution?

Albert Schweitzer

Fritz Haber (correct)

Mother Teresa

Edward Jenner

What is one reason that starvation still occurs today, despite advances in agricultural science?

Political and economic factors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following diseases has not been significantly reduced due to vaccines developed from Jenner's work?

HIV/AIDS Signup and view all the answers

What does the scientific approach aim to achieve in terms of social and technological change?

Enhance understanding and problem-solving Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of scientific research?

Subjective interpretation of data Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the ethical guidelines that psychologists follow?

Maintaining confidentiality of participants Signup and view all the answers

What was the average life expectancy in the year 1900?

47 years Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of the scientific method?

Systematic observation Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes the process of building upon earlier scientific discoveries?

Cumulative science Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Francis Galton's contributions to psychology?

Innovating the self-report questionnaire Signup and view all the answers

Why might psychology be viewed as less scientific than other fields?

Psychological phenomena are often invisible Signup and view all the answers

What is a typical method used by scientists to validate hypotheses?

Experimental testing Signup and view all the answers

What major shift occurred regarding the acceptance of knowledge during modern times?

People desire to form their own opinions and debate conclusions Signup and view all the answers

How has access to technology changed from 1914 to modern times?

Television access increased dramatically Signup and view all the answers

What caused the dramatic rise in average I.Q. over the past century?

Better nutrition and schooling Signup and view all the answers

What is one common misconception about science?

It can answer all questions about human behavior Signup and view all the answers

What methodology did early psychologists prioritize in their research?

Behavior analysis Signup and view all the answers

In the context of scientific research, how is observation conducted?

In a systematic and organized manner Signup and view all the answers

What did Francis Galton study to investigate nature versus nurture?

Patches of color and perception Signup and view all the answers

What idea did Galton propose regarding twins in relation to personality?

Identical and fraternal twins help estimate genetic and social influences. Signup and view all the answers

Why might self-reported measures of happiness be problematic?

Participants lie or misreport their feelings. Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves asking friends and family about a person's happiness?

Peer report measures Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of current psychological science?

Many findings have been developed only in recent decades. Signup and view all the answers

How has cognitive behavioral therapy been evaluated in terms of effectiveness?

It has shown effectiveness in treating multiple conditions like depression. Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of psychological science on societal well-being?

It has contributed to creating effective psychological interventions. Signup and view all the answers

Which area has benefited from psychological research in workplace productivity?

Organizational psychology Signup and view all the answers

What ethical guideline ensures visibility of research involvement to participants?

Informed consent Signup and view all the answers

What is one aspect of participant confidentiality in psychological research?

Personal information should remain private without participant consent. Signup and view all the answers

Why might psychological research into ridicule be risky?

It may cause psychological harm to participants. Signup and view all the answers

What has forensic psychology contributed to courtroom decisions?

It has improved the validity of decisions through research on memory. Signup and view all the answers

How do researchers utilize biological measures in assessing happiness?

Using saliva samples and brain scans. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant barrier to the validity of eyewitness testimony?

Psychological findings show that memories are often unreliable. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of psychology differentiates it from natural sciences like chemistry?

Psychology often involves human research participants. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason researchers use deception in psychological studies?

To prevent participants from altering their natural behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason people want to learn about psychology?

To master every aspect of human behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of the debriefing process in psychological research?

Researchers explain the true nature of the study Signup and view all the answers

How should participants be treated according to ethical guidelines in psychological studies?

Risks must be fully explained, and benefits should outweigh risks Signup and view all the answers

What can be a benefit of studying psychology, according to the content?

It allows understanding of both self and others Signup and view all the answers

Why is the field of psychology considered exciting?

It can be rewarding and fun, independent of other outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an incorrect statement about why students might want to study psychology?

To prevent others from understanding themselves Signup and view all the answers

What should researchers do after deceiving participants in a study?

Debrief participants to explain the true study purpose Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scientific Research's Impact

Scientific research has drastically changed the world, leading to numerous medical advances and technological innovations.
Examples of impactful scientists include Edward Jenner (immunology and smallpox eradication), Norman Borlaug (Green Revolution and increased food production), and Fritz Haber (also Green Revolution contributions).
These scientists' discoveries have saved millions or even billions of lives.

Characteristics of the Scientific Approach

Science relies on systematic observation of the world, often incorporating measurement.
Observations are recorded to minimize biases.
Controlled conditions and systematic variation in observations are used to understand phenomena and their occurrences.
Scientific hypotheses and theories are formulated in testable ways.
Science is inherently democratic, encouraging skepticism and open debate among scientists.
Scientific knowledge is cumulative, building upon prior discoveries.

Benefits and Problems of Science

Science has led to significant improvements in various areas, including increased life expectancy, decreased malnutrition, and improved IQ scores.
However, scientific discoveries can also create problems; for example, certain types of therapies might harm individuals, while sometimes, scientific advances are used for negative purposes (e.g., weapons development).

Psychological Science's Contributions

Psychological science has created interventions that improve people's lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown effective in treating depression and anxiety.
Organizational psychology has identified interventions to enhance workplace productivity and satisfaction.
Human factors engineering has improved product safety and usability, reducing errors and accidents.
Forensic psychology has impacted courtroom decisions through evidence such as DNA evidence and analysis of eyewitness testimony.

Ethical Guidelines in Psychology

Ethical guidelines protect research participants from harm.
Informed consent is essential, allowing participants to freely choose participation.
Confidentiality and privacy are prioritized; research should not compromise personal information without consent.
Weighing potential benefits and risks is crucial; participants should not face unnecessary risks.
Researchers may sometimes need to deceive participants, but must follow through with debriefing after the study.

Psychology as a Science

Psychology, while relatively young, uses various methods to study invisible mental phenomena, including behavior, self-reports, questionnaires, and observations of twins to study nature-nurture traits.
Modern psychology uses advanced methods like peer reports, memory assessments, and biological measures (e.g., cortisol levels, fMRI).
Early psychologists focused on behavior, drawing inferences about personality.

Why Study Psychology

Studying psychology allows for understanding oneself, others, and groups.
It enhances the ability to influence others (e.g., parenting, motivation).
It contributes to helping others, for example with psychotherapy.
It provides skills for various professions (e.g., social worker, professor).
It is important for evaluating research claims.
It can be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding field of study.

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Description

This quiz explores the profound effects of scientific research on society and its role in medical and technological advancements. It highlights key scientists and their contributions, emphasizing the systematic approach of scientific inquiry. Test your knowledge on how these methods and discoveries have shaped the world.