Psychology Chapter 1: The Science of Psychology

Questions and Answers

What is Science?

An approach to understanding the natural world (correct)

A method that does not include predictions

A form of acquiring knowledge without observation

A way to understand the unnatural world

What does systematic empiricism involve?

Learning based on observation through carefully planned processes.

Falsifiability means that a scientific claim can be empirically tested to be false.

True

What is an example of pseudoscience?

Astrology Signup and view all the answers

Basic research in psychology aims to achieve a more detailed and accurate understanding of ___

human behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of applied research?

To address practical problems. Signup and view all the answers

Which fallacy refers to the tendency to focus on cases that confirm our intuitive beliefs?

Confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

Common sense can always be relied upon to reach accurate conclusions about psychology.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the following research types with their purposes:

Basic research = Achieving detailed understanding of human behavior Applied research = Addressing practical problems Signup and view all the answers

Science is a systematic approach to understanding the natural world.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the three fundamental features of science?

Public knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pseudoscience' refer to?

Claims that appear scientific but lack fundamental features of science. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the model of scientific research in psychology?

Ignore empirical data Signup and view all the answers

Basic research is primarily conducted for which purpose?

To achieve a detailed understanding of human behavior Signup and view all the answers

The Barnum effect refers to claims that are too ______ to be specific.

general Signup and view all the answers

What are mental shortcuts also called?

Heuristics Signup and view all the answers

Confirmation bias leads to focusing on evidence that contradicts our beliefs.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding Science in Psychology

Cognition leads to logical fallacies and cognitive processes that are independent, proving one event does not happen if the other does.
Science organizes knowledge about the natural world, is systematic, testable, and predictive.
Psychology examines human behavior using intuition, authority, reasoning, and systematic empiricism.

Features of Science

Systematic Empiricism: Knowledge acquired through carefully planned observation and analysis.
Empirical Questions: Questions that can be addressed through systematic observation, allowing for testing and falsification.
Public Knowledge: Scientific discoveries are published for public scrutiny, enabling correction of errors and collaborative growth in knowledge.

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Falsifiability: A claim is scientifically valid if it can be tested and potentially proven false.
Pseudoscience lacks testable hypotheses, employs non-scientific methodology, relies on anecdotal evidence, and often ignores contradictory data.
Barnum Effect: General claims that can apply to many people, making them seem universally valid.
ROT Test: A method to evaluate scientific validity through repeatability, observability, and testability.

Model of Scientific Research in Psychology

Observe and Question: Begin with literature review and observations.
Make Predictions: Formulate hypotheses based on rationale.
Testing Predictions: Conduct experiments to answer research questions.
Analyze Results: Review data to draw answers.
Conclude and Publish: Share findings to contribute to academic literature and spur new inquiries.

Who Conducts Research in Psychology

Research is performed by individuals with advanced degrees (PhD/Masters), assistants with Bachelor's degrees, and members of various organizations including government and nonprofits.

Purposes of Scientific Research

Basic Research: Aims for a deeper understanding of behavior without specific practical goals, often conducted in lab settings.
Applied Research: Focused on solving practical problems with immediate relevance.

Science and Common Sense

Common sense is not always reliable; empirical research often contradicts intuitive beliefs.
Folk Psychology: Intuitive understanding of human behavior which does not hold true under scrutiny.
Heuristics and Biases: Shortcuts like confirmation bias lead to flawed beliefs; widely endorsed ideas may not be accurate.
Conjunction Fallacy: Probability estimates are reduced when events are seen in conjunction.

Understanding Science in Psychology

Cognition leads to logical fallacies and cognitive processes that are independent, proving one event does not happen if the other does.
Science organizes knowledge about the natural world, is systematic, testable, and predictive.
Psychology examines human behavior using intuition, authority, reasoning, and systematic empiricism.

Features of Science

Systematic Empiricism: Knowledge acquired through carefully planned observation and analysis.
Empirical Questions: Questions that can be addressed through systematic observation, allowing for testing and falsification.
Public Knowledge: Scientific discoveries are published for public scrutiny, enabling correction of errors and collaborative growth in knowledge.

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Falsifiability: A claim is scientifically valid if it can be tested and potentially proven false.
Pseudoscience lacks testable hypotheses, employs non-scientific methodology, relies on anecdotal evidence, and often ignores contradictory data.
Barnum Effect: General claims that can apply to many people, making them seem universally valid.
ROT Test: A method to evaluate scientific validity through repeatability, observability, and testability.

Model of Scientific Research in Psychology

Observe and Question: Begin with literature review and observations.
Make Predictions: Formulate hypotheses based on rationale.
Testing Predictions: Conduct experiments to answer research questions.
Analyze Results: Review data to draw answers.
Conclude and Publish: Share findings to contribute to academic literature and spur new inquiries.

Who Conducts Research in Psychology

Research is performed by individuals with advanced degrees (PhD/Masters), assistants with Bachelor's degrees, and members of various organizations including government and nonprofits.

Purposes of Scientific Research

Basic Research: Aims for a deeper understanding of behavior without specific practical goals, often conducted in lab settings.
Applied Research: Focused on solving practical problems with immediate relevance.

Science and Common Sense

Common sense is not always reliable; empirical research often contradicts intuitive beliefs.
Folk Psychology: Intuitive understanding of human behavior which does not hold true under scrutiny.
Heuristics and Biases: Shortcuts like confirmation bias lead to flawed beliefs; widely endorsed ideas may not be accurate.
Conjunction Fallacy: Probability estimates are reduced when events are seen in conjunction.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts introduced in Chapter 1 of Psychology, focusing on the definition and the significance of science within the field. It addresses the nature of logical fallacies and how cognitive processes influence our understanding. Test your knowledge of the scientific approaches used in psychology.