Introduction to Psychological Theories and Phenomena

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

What is one of the purposes of theories according to the text?

To organize known phenomena (correct)
To predict outcomes in new situations
To generate new research
To identify unexplored areas

Which principle do scientists generally follow when it comes to theories, as mentioned in the text?

Parsimony (correct)
Complexity
Expansion
Diversity

What does theory help with according to the text?

Analyzing historical data
Predicting facts (correct)
Developing new theories
Creating new data

Why is it important for theories to be parsimonious according to the text?

To organize phenomena efficiently (B) Signup and view all the answers

In what field might treatment decisions be guided by theories according to the text?

Gymnastics coaching (A) Signup and view all the answers

What helps to organize and make sense of contradictory results according to the text?

Parsimony of theories (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a theory from just an idea?

Being extensively tested and well-supported (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the text, what does a model refer to?

A precise explanation of a specific phenomenon (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the biological perspective in the context of explaining phenomena?

Explaining phenomena in terms of genetics or nervous and endocrine system structures (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is the theory of evolution considered a theory?

Because it is an explanation of the diversity of life on earth (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of theory in research studies?

To provide explanation, understanding, and meaningfulness to research (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that scientific researchers use theories?

The hypothetical-deductive method (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does a perspective differ from a theory?

A perspective is more general than a theory in explaining phenomena. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis in scientific research?

A prediction based on a theory (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'typologies' refer to in psychology?

A way to label individuals based on their behavior (C) Signup and view all the answers

How do researchers evaluate and revise theories in light of new results?

By reevaluating and revising the theory if necessary (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves making a prediction based on a theory and then testing it empirically?

Deductive reasoning (C) Signup and view all the answers

How are hypotheses related to theories according to the text?

Hypotheses always have a predictive relationship with theories (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to know about existing theories in research?

To understand the complementary or competing theories (C) Signup and view all the answers

What might be a misconception about incorporating theory into research?

Only one theory should be considered at a time (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which step is NOT part of incorporating theory into research?

Testing hypotheses without considering any theories (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the first basic way to incorporate theory into research?

Raise a research question, conduct a new study, and offer theories to explain the results (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the formality dimension in psychology refer to?

The extent to which the components and relationships in a theory are clearly specified (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the second basic way to incorporate theory into research?

Describe existing theories, derive a hypothesis, test it in a new study, and reevaluate the theory (D) Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the scope dimension of theories in psychology focus on?

The number and diversity of phenomena a theory explains (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which theory is an example of a formal theory based on the text?

Rescorla-Wagner model (B) Signup and view all the answers

Who is associated with broad application of theories to diverse aspects like slips of the tongue, dreaming, art, politics, and civilization?

Freud (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which theoretical approach features an equation describing changes in the association between stimuli in classical conditioning?

Rescorla-Wagner model (D) Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes formal theories from informal theories according to the text?

Clear specification of components and relationships (C) Signup and view all the answers