Psychology Chapter: Scientific Method Insights
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Questions and Answers

What did Aristotle conclude about the organ associated with emotional state and thinking?

  • The brain is the central organ.
  • The liver is the central organ.
  • The stomach is the central organ.
  • The heart is the central organ. (correct)
  • Which of these describes the scientific method accurately?

  • A systematic procedure for generating emotional responses.
  • A method focused solely on theoretical predictions.
  • A random procedure to observe phenomena.
  • A systematic procedure for observing and measuring phenomena. (correct)
  • What is one of the main issues with rationalism as noted in the content?

  • It may not match actual behavior. (correct)
  • It always aligns with behavior.
  • It ignores scientific methods.
  • It is based solely on emotions.
  • Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method?

    <p>Wait for natural outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do researchers conduct studies on behavior?

    <p>To generate theories and hypotheses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In relation to emotions, how does the heart function according to Aristotle?

    <p>It determines emotional states and responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What final step typically follows analyzing data in the scientific method?

    <p>Formulating conclusions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which phrase reflects an emotional quality attributed to the heart?

    <p>Openheartedness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is being manipulated in the true experimental research example provided?

    <p>Cell phone use</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is considered a dependent variable in the provided research?

    <p>Number of errors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes the experimental group in this research?

    <p>They engage in driving while using a cell phone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main hypothesis being tested in the multitasking example?

    <p>Multitasking impairs productivity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What effect did the observation have on the productivity of workers in the Hawthorne Effect study?

    <p>Productivity increased regardless of working conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common focus of descriptive methods in psychology?

    <p>Gathering data without experimental manipulation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might people change their behavior when they know they are being observed, according to the Hawthorne Effect?

    <p>They want to make a good impression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an extraneous variable in the context of experimental research?

    <p>A variable that could affect the results but is not the focus of study.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one major advantage of participant observation in research?

    <p>It reduces reactivity among participants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a notable disadvantage associated with participant observation?

    <p>It can increase reactivity due to the observer's presence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a case study?

    <p>An in-depth analysis of a single individual or situation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge when interpreting data from case studies?

    <p>Establishing causal relationships can be difficult.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What phenomenon is described by the term 'Hawthorne effect'?

    <p>Changes in behavior due to awareness of being observed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'false positives' in research refer to?

    <p>Incorrectly assuming a condition is present without sufficient evidence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor can influence the reliability of research findings among researchers?

    <p>Sharing results to ensure interrater reliability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How can researchers' personal biases affect their observations?

    <p>They can lead to only noticing evidence that supports their hypotheses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the main advantages of using surveys or questionnaires?

    <p>They are relatively easy to administer.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of using self-report data (S-data)?

    <p>Participants may not respond honestly.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding generalizing findings from a unique case?

    <p>It can lead to potential inaccuracies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential reason for biases in surveys?

    <p>Researchers and participants might have biases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following options best describes the S-data trait of 'definitional truth'?

    <p>It reflects self-assessment qualities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major limitation of the quick collection of data in surveys?

    <p>It may overlook context and nuance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    An example of a survey/questionnaire technique is?

    <p>The Twenty Statements Test.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What could be a consequence of too much reliance on S-data?

    <p>A false sense of understanding self-perception.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of using samples instead of the entire population?

    <p>It may lead to sampling error or bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which wording alteration could potentially affect participant responses?

    <p>‘Not allow’ vs. ‘Forbid’</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is socially desirable bias?

    <p>The tendency to respond in a way that is perceived as favorable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is acquiescent response bias also known as?

    <p>Yes-saying bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does illusory superiority refer to?

    <p>Overestimating one's abilities compared to others</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of bias might prevent individuals from speaking openly about taboo subjects?

    <p>Volunteer bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which factor can influence the accuracy of survey responses?

    <p>The order of questions asked</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of response bias mentioned?

    <p>Nominal response bias</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

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