Scientific Understanding of Behavior and Knowledge
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the scientific approach?

  • Knowledge is based on personal beliefs (correct)
  • Science is adversarial
  • Data plays a central role
  • Scientific evidence is peer reviewed

    • Pseudoscience is based on scientific principles and methodologies.

    False

    Name one major problem with relying purely on intuition for understanding causes and effects.

    Cognitive and motivational biases

    _____ is a fundamental method of scientific inquiry based on observations.

    <p>Empiricism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their correct descriptions:

    <p>Intuition = Drawing conclusions based on personal feeling or belief Authority = Accepting information from trusted sources without scrutiny Empiricism = Knowledge based on observation and evidence Pseudoscience = Claims that lack empirical evidence and scientific legitimacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is peer review important in scientific research?

    <p>It prevents flawed research from being published</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Empiricism encourages scientists to rely solely on anecdotal evidence.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do conflicting evidence and confirmatory evidence represent in scientific research?

    <p>Conflicting evidence is often ignored, while confirmatory evidence supports existing claims.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of descriptive research?

    <p>To document and understand observed behaviors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Prediction in research focuses solely on determining the cause of behavior.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the three key elements required to infer causation?

    <p>Temporal order, covariation of cause and effect, and elimination of alternative explanations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _________ order requires that the cause occurs before the effect.

    <p>temporal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the research goal with its description.

    <p>Descriptive research = Documents observed behaviors Prediction = Forecasts future behaviors Determination of Cause = Establishes causal relationships Explanation of Behavior = Provides insight into why behaviors occur</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following elements is NOT needed to infer causation?

    <p>Statistical Significance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Covariation of cause and effect means that changes in one variable do not affect another.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might a psychologist explore to explain anxiety in adolescents?

    <p>Environmental stressors, genetic predispositions, and personal coping strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of research primarily focuses on expanding knowledge without immediate concern for practical applications?

    <p>Basic Research</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Applied research is primarily concerned with solving specific, practical problems.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must researchers eliminate to confidently infer causation in a study?

    <p>Alternative explanations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In research, the __________ variable is thought to cause changes in another variable.

    <p>independent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following research types with their purposes:

    <p>Basic Research = Expanding knowledge and understanding fundamental principles Applied Research = Solving specific, practical problems Experimental Research = Testing hypotheses through controlled experiments Descriptive Research = Observing and describing the characteristics of a population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a method used to ensure that other variables do not influence the outcome of a study?

    <p>Random assignment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Basic research often leads to immediate practical applications.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between study time and exam performance according to the content?

    <p>There is a covariation suggesting that increased study time (the cause) is related to better exam performance (the effect).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes basic research?

    <p>Exploratory and theory-driven</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Applied research seeks to expand knowledge without immediate applications.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one advantage of having knowledge of research methods in society?

    <p>It helps individuals critically evaluate the validity and reliability of information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Basic research is more about understanding and expanding __________.

    <p>knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is scientific skepticism important in understanding behavior?

    <p>It encourages critical thinking and rigorous questioning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of research with its primary focus:

    <p>Basic research = Understanding and expanding knowledge Applied research = Solving practical problems Research methods = Rigorous questioning of claims. Scientific skepticism = Critical evaluation of information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A knowledge of research methods fosters informed decision-making in various fields.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does applied research primarily aim to achieve?

    <p>It aims to implement findings in practical settings.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of prediction in scientific research?

    <p>To forecast future occurrences based on observed patterns</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The goal of explanation in scientific research involves detailing the characteristics of a behavior.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do researchers aim to achieve through the determination of cause?

    <p>Establish a causal relationship between variables.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The scientific method emphasizes __________ evidence and the testing of hypotheses.

    <p>empirical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the research goal with its appropriate definition:

    <p>Determination of Cause = A goal that seeks to establish a causal relationship between variables. Prediction = A goal that focuses on forecasting future occurrences based on observed patterns. Description = A goal that involves detailing the characteristics or features of a phenomenon. Explanation = A goal that aims to provide an understanding of why a phenomenon occurs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods lacks the objectivity of scientific inquiry?

    <p>Personal experience</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Anecdotal evidence is considered a reliable source for scientific conclusions.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Provide an example of the description goal in scientific research.

    <p>A researcher conducts a survey to detail the eating habits of teenagers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an element necessary for inferring causation?

    <p>Temporal Precedence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Elimination of alternative explanations is important for establishing causation in research.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the covariation of cause and effect signify?

    <p>It indicates a consistent relationship between the cause and the effect.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Scientific inquiry relies on __________ evidence to support conclusions.

    <p>empirical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which characteristic indicates that scientific hypotheses must be proven or disproven through experimentation?

    <p>Testability</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the elements of causation with their definitions:

    <p>Temporal Precedence = The cause occurs before the effect Covariation of Cause and Effect = Consistent relationship between cause and effect Elimination of Alternative Explanations = Ruling out other potential causes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Reproducibility ensures that scientific results are not reliable.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name one characteristic of scientific inquiry described by Goodstein.

    <p>Empirical evidence, testability, or reproducibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Scientific Understanding of Behavior

    • Many occupations use research findings including health, business, and education
    • Scientific research findings affect public policy decisions
    • Research is sometimes the only way to answer certain questions about ourselves or the environment.

    Ways of Knowing

    • Intuition: Intuition can be flawed due to cognitive and motivational biases which affect perception and conclusions about cause and effect
    • Authority: Some accept information from internet, media, books, celebrities, or religious figures without critical evaluation.
    • Empiricism: Scientific knowledge is based on observations
    • Scientific Approach: This approach uses data to verify or reject claims and shares this knowledge with the public. Science is also adversarial in nature meaning different ideas are tested and compared against one another. A further quality is falsifiability: a scientific claim must be testable and refutable. Peer review is essential to scientific literature to prevent invalid or flawed research from appearing.

    Pseudoscience

    • Pseudoscience uses scientific concepts to support ideas that have no basis in scientific research.
    • Beware of untestable claims, vague language, anecdotes, testimonials, and evidence from experts without scientific evidence.
    • References to scientific knowledge are presented without methods that allow independent verification.

    Goals of Behavioral Science

    • Description: Detailed account of behaviors (e.g., behaviors of children in a classroom, etc.)
    • Prediction: Forecasting future behaviors based on observed patterns (e.g., students who study more will likely have higher test scores)
    • Determination of Cause: Establishing causal relationships between variables (e.g., does a specific teaching method enhance student performance)
    • Explanation: Understanding the underlying mechanisms of a behavior (e.g., factors contributing to anxiety in adolescents).

    Determining the causes of behavior

    • Temporal Precedence: The cause must come before the effect
    • Covariation of Cause and Effect: When the cause is present, the effect should occur, and when the cause is absent, the effect should not occur.
    • Elimination of Alternative Explanations: There should be no other plausible explanations for the relationship.

    Explanation of Behavior

    • Aim to understand why a certain behavior or a phenomenon occurs, such as violence and aggression related to TV violence.
    • Psychological explanations could include imitation, desensitization or beliefs about aggression.

    Basic vs. Applied Research

    • Basic Research: Aims to answer fundamental questions about behavior and cognition, without immediate practical implications.
    • Applied Research: Aims to solve practical problems and find potential solutions.

    Review Questions

    • Understanding research methods is crucial for evaluating validity and reliability in different fields, especially in psychology.
    • The scientific approach emphasizes empirical methods (systematic observations, experiments) to gather data, draw conclusions and ensure that findings are replicable. The scientific approach contrasts with pseudoscience, in that it lacks rigorous methods, systematic observation, and empirical support for conclusions.

    Defining and Giving Examples of the Four Goals of Scientific Research

    • Description: Details, characteristics, and behaviours of a phenomenon (e.g., observing and documenting behaviors of children in a classroom)
    • Prediction: Forecasting future behavior (e.g., If a study finds students that study more consistently have higher grades, researchers can predict higher grades from increased study time)
    • Determination of Cause: Establishing a causal relationship between variables (e.g., a researcher might conduct an experiment to determine if a specific teaching method leads to improved student performance.)
    • Explanation: Understanding the underlying mechanisms that explain behaviors (e.g., exploring underlying factors of anxiety in adolescents).

    The Three Elements for Inferring Causation

    • Temporal Precedence: The cause must occur before the effect.
    • Covariation of Cause and Effect: There must be a consistent relationship between the cause and effect.
    • Elimination of Alternative Explanations: Ruling out other plausible explanations.

    Basic and Applied Research

    • Basic Research: Explores fundamental principles and develops theories (e.g., exploring the effects of sleep on cognitive function.)
    • Applied Research: Addresses practical needs and solves specific problems (e.g., developing new teaching methods to improve student performance.)

    Review Questions

    • Research methods are vital to evaluate the credibility of information.
    • Research methods involve systematic data collection and analysis to find reliable and valid conclusions.

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    PSY 217 Research Methods I PDF

    Description

    Explore the role of scientific research in shaping behavior and decision-making across various fields such as health, business, and education. This quiz examines different ways of knowing including intuition, authority, and empiricism while highlighting the importance of a scientific approach in evaluating claims.

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