Psychology: Scientific Methods and Social Loafing

Study Notes

Science and Scientific Psychology

Science focuses on the HOW of observation, not just the WHAT
The goal of scientific psychology is to understand why people think and act as they do

Refers to the tendency of individuals to put forth less effort when part of a group
Factors influencing social loafing:
- Group size: larger groups lead to less individual effort
- Expectations: people with low motivation are more likely to engage in social loafing
- Diffusion of responsibility: individuals feel less responsible for completing tasks in a group setting

Experimental Psychology

Approaches psychology as a natural science, using the experimental method
Experimental psychologists tend to discount case study and interview methods used in clinical and developmental psychology

Evidence and Proof

Evidence is not the same as proof
Proof requires evidence that goes beyond reasonable doubt
Behavior is knowable but not predictable

Skepticism and Inquiry

Skepticism is a philosophical belief that all knowledge is questionable
Reasonable doubt is essential in scientific inquiry
A scientist seeks to discover how and why things work

Fixation of Belief

Methods of fixing belief:
- Taking someone's word on faith (trusted authority)
- Method of tenacity (steadfastly refusing to alter knowledge despite evidence)
- A priori (believing without prior study or examination)
Scientific method fixes belief based on experience

Scientific Psychology Definition

Repeatable, self-correcting undertaking that seeks to understand phenomena on the basis of empirical observation
Assumes that events have causes that can be discovered through controlled observation

Determinism and Empiricism

Determinism: variables have effects on each other; cause and effect
Empirical: derived from the word "experience"; having an empirical basis for beliefs means that experience is the source of knowledge
Scientific data can be public and repeatedly obtained

Theory and Functions

Theory provides a framework for organizing data and generating predictions
Two main functions of theory:
- Organization
- Prediction (also includes description and explanation)

Induction and Deduction

Induction: reasoning from particular data to a general theory
Deduction: reasoning from a general theory to particular data

Falsifiability View

Good theories must be fallible and capable of being proven wrong
Empirical predictions must be capable of being tested and potentially falsified

Description

This quiz covers the basics of scientific psychology, including the focus on observation and understanding human behavior. It also delves into the concept of social loafing, where individuals exert less effort in group settings.