Podcast
Questions and Answers
What did Aristotle conclude about the organ associated with emotional state and thinking?
What did Aristotle conclude about the organ associated with emotional state and thinking?
Which of these describes the scientific method accurately?
Which of these describes the scientific method accurately?
What is one of the main issues with rationalism as noted in the content?
What is one of the main issues with rationalism as noted in the content?
Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?
Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?
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Why do researchers conduct studies on behavior?
Why do researchers conduct studies on behavior?
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In relation to emotions, how does the heart function according to Aristotle?
In relation to emotions, how does the heart function according to Aristotle?
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What final step typically follows analyzing data in the scientific method?
What final step typically follows analyzing data in the scientific method?
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Which phrase reflects an emotional quality attributed to the heart?
Which phrase reflects an emotional quality attributed to the heart?
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What is being manipulated in the true experimental research example provided?
What is being manipulated in the true experimental research example provided?
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Which of the following is considered a dependent variable in the provided research?
Which of the following is considered a dependent variable in the provided research?
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Which statement best describes the experimental group in this research?
Which statement best describes the experimental group in this research?
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What is the main hypothesis being tested in the multitasking example?
What is the main hypothesis being tested in the multitasking example?
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What effect did the observation have on the productivity of workers in the Hawthorne Effect study?
What effect did the observation have on the productivity of workers in the Hawthorne Effect study?
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What is a common focus of descriptive methods in psychology?
What is a common focus of descriptive methods in psychology?
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Why might people change their behavior when they know they are being observed, according to the Hawthorne Effect?
Why might people change their behavior when they know they are being observed, according to the Hawthorne Effect?
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What is an extraneous variable in the context of experimental research?
What is an extraneous variable in the context of experimental research?
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What is one major advantage of participant observation in research?
What is one major advantage of participant observation in research?
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What is a notable disadvantage associated with participant observation?
What is a notable disadvantage associated with participant observation?
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Which of the following best describes a case study?
Which of the following best describes a case study?
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What is a key challenge when interpreting data from case studies?
What is a key challenge when interpreting data from case studies?
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What phenomenon is described by the term 'Hawthorne effect'?
What phenomenon is described by the term 'Hawthorne effect'?
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What does the term 'false positives' in research refer to?
What does the term 'false positives' in research refer to?
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Which factor can influence the reliability of research findings among researchers?
Which factor can influence the reliability of research findings among researchers?
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How can researchers' personal biases affect their observations?
How can researchers' personal biases affect their observations?
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What is one of the main advantages of using surveys or questionnaires?
What is one of the main advantages of using surveys or questionnaires?
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What is a disadvantage of using self-report data (S-data)?
What is a disadvantage of using self-report data (S-data)?
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Which statement is true regarding generalizing findings from a unique case?
Which statement is true regarding generalizing findings from a unique case?
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Which of the following is a potential reason for biases in surveys?
Which of the following is a potential reason for biases in surveys?
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Which of the following options best describes the S-data trait of 'definitional truth'?
Which of the following options best describes the S-data trait of 'definitional truth'?
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What is a major limitation of the quick collection of data in surveys?
What is a major limitation of the quick collection of data in surveys?
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An example of a survey/questionnaire technique is?
An example of a survey/questionnaire technique is?
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What could be a consequence of too much reliance on S-data?
What could be a consequence of too much reliance on S-data?
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What is a potential consequence of using samples instead of the entire population?
What is a potential consequence of using samples instead of the entire population?
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Which wording alteration could potentially affect participant responses?
Which wording alteration could potentially affect participant responses?
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What is socially desirable bias?
What is socially desirable bias?
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What is acquiescent response bias also known as?
What is acquiescent response bias also known as?
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What does illusory superiority refer to?
What does illusory superiority refer to?
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Which type of bias might prevent individuals from speaking openly about taboo subjects?
Which type of bias might prevent individuals from speaking openly about taboo subjects?
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Which factor can influence the accuracy of survey responses?
Which factor can influence the accuracy of survey responses?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of response bias mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a type of response bias mentioned?
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Study Notes
Psychology is an Empirical Science
- Psychology’s scientific method involves observing and measuring phenomena to find out when, why, and what happens.
- Research helps generate theories, hypotheses, and determine causal relationships.
Steps of the Scientific Method
- Identify or observe a problem
- Gather information
- Generate a hypothesis
- Design and conduct experiments
- Analyze data and formulate conclusions
- Restart the process
Debunking a Bad Theory: Phrenology
- Phrenology was a popular, but unscientific, study of the human brain that linked bumps on the skull to personality traits. The method has been debunked, yet we can still learn from its mistakes.
Hypotheses
- A testable hypothesis proposes claims that can be investigated through experimentation
- A non-testable hypothesis proposes ideas that cannot be measured or proven through the scientific method
Example of a Testable Hypothesis in Psychology
- Multitasking impairs productivity.
Example in Psychology
- Research is used to understand the relationship between distracted driving and car accidents.
- A researcher would gather information on the topic of distracted driving by searching for relevant literature and studies.
Experimental Research: True Experiments
- An experimental research study identifies and measures any potential influences between an independent variable (what is being manipulated) and a dependent variable (what is being measured)
- Researchers use an experimental group (group exposed to the independent variable) and a control group (group not exposed to the independent variable)
- Extraneous variables, or variables that are not being measured in the experiment, need careful consideration
Descriptive Methods
- Descriptive research uses the scientific method to understand "what is" without attempting to explain "why it is."
Naturalistic Observation
- Naturalistic observation studies the behaviour of subjects in their natural environment while keeping the presence of researchers discrete.
- This method can lead to bias and inaccuracies due to the Hawthorne effect - participants change their behavior because they are aware of being observed
- Participant observation allows researchers to become part of the group they are observing, potentially leading to a more accurate understanding of behaviour.
Case Studies
- In-depth analysis of a unique circumstance or individual
- Case studies are not experiments
- Case studies can be difficult to generalize to the larger population
Surveys/Questionnaires
- Participants answer standard questions
- Surveys are an effective way to gather lots of information from a group of people.
- Surveys are susceptible to bias from both the researchers and the participants
S-Data Advantages and Disadvantages:
- Self-reported data can help researchers gain insight into participants' thoughts, feelings, and intentions
- S-data can have several disadvantages:
- Participants may not respond honestly.
- Participants may not be able to accurately reflect their experience.
- Surveys can be overused.
- Surveys are too simplistic.
Survey/Questionnaires: Advantages and Disadvantages
- Surveys can be administered in several ways, making them accessible and convenient.
- Researchers can use this technique to quickly gather a lot of data about people’s experiences, etc.
- The inability to include the entire population in the survey can lead to sampling error/bias, as the sample may not be a fully accurate representation of the population.
- Wording in surveys can impact participants' responses, so researchers need a deliberate approach that ensures accuracy.
- Response bias can negatively impact the accuracy of survey data.
- Socially desirable bias: participants may answer questions the way they feel they are expected to answer.
- Acquiescent response bias (yes-saying): participants may agree with statements regardless of their stance on the issue.
- Illusory superiority: participants may portray their behaviours as better than average.
- Volunteer bias: People who volunteer for research studies may not be representative of the general population, and are likely to be more open to sharing information.
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Description
Explore the empirical science of psychology through its scientific method. This quiz delves into the steps of the scientific method, the debunking of phrenology, and the importance of testable hypotheses in psychological research. Test your understanding of how research generates theories and causal relationships.