Testing Psychological Theories with Empirical Research

Why is psychology considered a science?

Because it deals with the empirical study of the mind and behavior (correct)

Because it does not require methodology and statistics

Because it focuses on untestable explanations of the world

Because it relies on myths, fables, and intuitive ideas about people

What is the primary purpose of methodology in psychological research?

To rely solely on intuitive ideas about human behavior

To establish myths and fables about people

To guide the process of conducting research (correct)

To avoid using empirical evidence in research

According to Hugh Coolican, what does science enable us to do?

Obtain rational explanations of how things work in the world (correct)

Avoid getting closer to truths and further from myths

Relies on myths and fables for understanding the world

Reject empirical evidence in favor of intuitive ideas

What distinguishes psychology as an empirical science?

It involves gathering and analyzing empirical data Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to read the syllabus for every class, according to the text?

It provides valuable information about the course content and expectations Signup and view all the answers

What does science aim to achieve in terms of understanding reality?

Acquiring knowledge about the world through testable explanations Signup and view all the answers

What is the precise statement of assumed relationship between variables in a research study?

Hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

According to Popper (1959), what characteristic must theories possess?

Falsifiability Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to the phenomenon or construct assumed to exist and used to explain observed effects, but as yet unconfirmed?

Hypothetical construct Signup and view all the answers

How is depression operationally defined in a clinical study?

By a score above a threshold on the BDI Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a precise statement about how variables should be related in the analysis of data if a hypothesis is to be supported?

Research prediction Signup and view all the answers

In psychology, what term is used for an explanation of a concept solely in terms of the observable procedures used to produce and measure it?

Operational definition Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for investigating phenomena without preconceptions, as described by Francis Bacon?

'Empirical observation' Signup and view all the answers

'Non-directional' and 'directional' are types of what in research studies?

'Hypotheses' Signup and view all the answers

'Findings' and 'Conclusions' are associated with which stage of the scientific method?

'Explanation' Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to the language used by researchers to describe their beliefs about how the world works or why a particular phenomenon occurs?

'Theories' Signup and view all the answers