Understanding Empirical Questions in Research

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following questions can be answered using an empirical approach, according to the passage?

  • How does the presence of a certain chemical affect plant growth? (correct)
  • What is the best way to live a fulfilling life?
  • What is the purpose of human existence?
  • What is the ultimate meaning of life?

The passage suggests that questions about beliefs and values are best left to which disciplines?

  • Mathematics and Statistics
  • Philosophy and Religion (correct)
  • Psychology and Biology
  • Physics and Chemistry

According to the passage, what is the key characteristic of an empirical question?

  • It can be answered using objectively gathered evidence. (correct)
  • It can be answered using intuition and personal experience.
  • It can be answered using a controlled experiment.
  • It can be answered using logic and deduction.

Based on the passage, what type of research method would be most appropriate to study the behavior of a group of monkeys in their natural habitat?

<p>Naturalistic Observation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an empirical question, as defined in the passage?

<p>It relies on personal beliefs and interpretations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author mention the question "Has life ever existed on Mars?" as an example of an empirical question?

<p>To show that empirical questions can be explored using scientific methods. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best summarizes the main point of the passage?

<p>There is a distinction between scientific and non-scientific questions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The passage suggests that researchers in psychology primarily aim to:

<p>Find answers to empirical questions about behavior. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the example of children watching cartoons, what would be the dependent variable?

<p>The number of times the children hit, push, or exhibit other aggressive actions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason researchers might use a checklist of specific aggressive actions instead of simply observing for 'aggressive behavior'?

<p>To standardize the definition of aggression across all observers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the key characteristic of the independent variable in an experiment?

<p>It is the variable that is manipulated by the researcher (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The passage argues that simply observing aggressive behavior in children after watching a violent cartoon is not enough to conclude that violence caused the aggression. What crucial element is missing?

<p>A control group that did not watch the violent cartoon (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would the researchers in the example be concerned about different observers having different interpretations of 'aggressive behavior'?

<p>It would make the results of the experiment unreliable and difficult to interpret (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the passage, which of the following is a possible dependent variable in an experiment studying the effects of different types of music on mood?

<p>The participants' self-reported mood scores (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The passage emphasizes that the independent variable is 'independent of anything the participants do'. Which of the following illustrates this concept?

<p>A researcher studying the effect of sleep deprivation on memory performance assigns participants randomly to either a sleep-deprived group or a well-rested group. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the MAIN purpose of the passage?

<p>To illustrate the difference between independent and dependent variables in experiments (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why the 'airport game' is rarely accurate?

<p>People's appearances can be deceptive and don't always reflect their professions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned as a source of information that should be critically evaluated?

<p>University textbooks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the 'thinking critically' questions scattered throughout the chapter?

<p>To encourage readers to apply critical thinking skills to the content being presented. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most significant argument presented in the text regarding the importance of critical thinking?

<p>Critical thinking enables us to analyze and evaluate information accurately. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best represents the author's viewpoint on critical thinking?

<p>Critical thinking is a skill that should be learned and applied in all aspects of life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying message the author is trying to convey about the 'airport game'?

<p>The 'airport game' is a good example of how people often rely on stereotypes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Based on the text, what is the best way to improve one's critical thinking skills?

<p>By practicing critical thinking techniques consistently in everyday situations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between scientific thinking and critical thinking?

<p>Scientific thinking is objective, while critical thinking is subjective. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might the presence of poachers affect the normal behavior of gorillas?

<p>All of the above (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of laboratory observations compared to natural observations?

<p>The controlled environment of a laboratory can lead to artificial behavior in subjects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason why a researcher might choose to conduct a laboratory observation over a natural observation?

<p>To observe spontaneous and natural behavior without introducing external factors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'observer effect' influence the accuracy of research findings?

<p>The observer effect can lead to biased data collection, as subjects may behave differently when they know they are being observed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the challenges of studying gorillas in their natural habitat, what is the most likely reason Dian Fossey had to deal with poachers?

<p>Poachers were a significant concern because they posed a threat to both the gorillas and Fossey herself. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important factor to consider when determining the validity of observations in a natural setting?

<p>The similarity of conditions across multiple observations to ensure consistency. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a researcher choose to record an infant's reaction to a mirror image in a laboratory setting?

<p>To control the environment and variables influencing the infant's reaction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains the challenge of conducting research in a natural setting?

<p>Natural environments offer limited opportunities to control variables influencing subject behaviour. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using a placebo in a drug experiment?

<p>To minimize the potential influence of participants' expectations on the outcome. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is a single-blind study called “single-blind?”

<p>Because only the participants are unaware of their treatment assignment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Rosenthal & Jacobson (1968) study demonstrate about the experimenter effect?

<p>That teachers' expectations can significantly impact students' performance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the experimenter effect differ from the placebo effect?

<p>The experimenter effect is a conscious bias introduced by the researcher, while the placebo effect is an unintentional response to participant expectations. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can researchers mitigate the potential influence of the experimenter effect?

<p>By ensuring the experimenter is completely unaware of the research hypothesis. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of a classic placebo-controlled study?

<p>The experimenter should be aware of which participants are receiving the real drug and which are receiving the placebo. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main point of the passage in relation to the placebo effect and experimenter effect?

<p>Understanding the placebo effect and the experimenter effect helps researchers to design their studies more effectively and avoid potential biases in their findings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The passage mentions that in a single-blind study, the participants are “blind” to the treatment they receive. This is a reference to what?

<p>The participants' ignorance of whether they are receiving the real drug or a placebo. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for researchers to report their findings, even if their investigation did not go as planned?

<p>To provide data for other researchers to build upon (B), To avoid repeating the same mistakes in future research (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of replicating a research study?

<p>To see if the same results can be obtained (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the text suggest about the publication of research results?

<p>Replications of research studies are rarely published, despite their importance. (B), There is a lack of emphasis on replicating research studies in psychology. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential consequences of a research study that cannot be replicated successfully?

<p>It raises questions about the validity and reliability of the original findings. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between replicating research findings and the ability to modify or control behavior in psychology?

<p>Replicating findings allows researchers to develop interventions based on evidence. (A), Replicating findings helps to identify the causes of behavior and predict future actions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge the psychology field is facing in relation to replicating research?

<p>The tendency to publish positive results over replication studies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the term “replicability crisis” reflect the current state of psychology research?

<p>There are serious doubts about the accuracy and reliability of many research findings in psychology. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the efforts to retest “what we think we know” in psychology?

<p>To provide additional evidence for current theories and identify gaps in current knowledge. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behaviors and the key role of environment in shaping behavior.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Emphasizes unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping behavior.

Humanistic Perspective

Focuses on personal growth, free will, and the concept of self-actualization.

Cognitive Perspective

Studies mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving.

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Critical Thinking

The ability to think clearly, rationally, and evaluate information carefully.

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Scientific Research

A systematic process for collecting and analyzing information to verify facts.

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Bias

A tendency to favor one perspective or outcome over others, often distorting judgments.

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Scientific Thinking

Approaching problems and questions through observation, experimentation, and evidence.

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Scientific Investigation

A process of exploring scientific questions through research and experimentation.

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Reporting Results

The final step in scientific investigation where findings are documented and shared.

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Replication

Repeating a study to see if the same results can be obtained again.

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Reliability of Results

The degree to which research findings can be consistently reproduced.

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Replicability Crisis

A term describing difficulties in replicating results of scientific studies, especially in psychology.

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Statistical Significance

A measure that indicates whether results are likely due to chance or if they reflect true effects.

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Predicting Behavior

Using research findings to forecast how individuals are likely to act in various situations.

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Peer-Reviewed Journals

Academic publications where studies are evaluated by experts before publication.

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Operationalization

The process of defining a measurement for a concept, like aggressive behavior.

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Independent Variable

The variable manipulated in an experiment, believed to cause changes in the dependent variable.

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Dependent Variable

The variable measured in an experiment to see how it is affected by the independent variable.

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Aggressive Behavior Operationalization

Specific actions like hitting and pushing used to measure aggression.

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Response to Independent Variable

The behavior of participants measured in an experiment due to exposure to the independent variable.

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Manipulation in Experiments

The deliberate change of the independent variable by researchers to observe its effect.

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Cause and Effect Relationship

A relationship where one event (the cause) directly influences another event (the effect).

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Measuring Aggression

The process of assessing aggressive behavior through defined actions and trials in research.

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Temporal Validity

The degree to which research findings hold true over time and in different settings.

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Field Observation Limitation

Observations in natural settings can be affected by uncontrolled variables.

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Dian Fossey Example

Famed researcher whose gorilla observations were disrupted by poachers.

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Laboratory Observation

Controlled observation that may not be practical in natural settings.

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Observer Effect

The tendency of subjects to change behavior when they know they are being observed.

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Artificial Behavior

Behavior that occurs in controlled settings, which may differ from natural behavior.

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Controlled Variables

Elements of a study that researchers keep constant to reduce impact on results.

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Research Equipment Challenges

Difficulties in setting up observational equipment in natural environments.

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Placebo Effect

The phenomenon where a participant experiences effects from a treatment that has no active substance.

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Single-Blind Study

An experiment where participants do not know if they received the actual treatment or a placebo.

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Control Group

The group in an experiment that receives the placebo to compare results with the experimental group.

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Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the actual treatment being tested.

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Experimenter Effect

When a researcher's expectations unconsciously influence the participants' performance.

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Rosenthal Effect

A type of experimenter effect where expectations cause changes in student performance.

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Expectation Bias

When a participant's belief in the treatment affects their response to it.

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Saline Solution

A mixture of salt in water often used as a placebo in experiments.

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Empirical Questions

Questions that can be tested through observation and evidence.

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Non-Empirical Questions

Questions based on beliefs or values, not measurable or testable.

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Scientific Approach

A method of inquiry focused on observable, repeatable evidence.

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Naturalistic Observation

A research method where behavior is observed in its natural environment.

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Research Methods

Various techniques used to gather data and answer scientific questions.

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Behavior Description

Gathering detailed information about a person's or animal's actions.

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Philosophy and Religion

Fields that address questions of belief and values, unlike science.

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Psychological Research

Research aimed at answering empirical questions about human behavior.

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Study Notes

Psychological Professionals

  • Psychologists hold a doctorate degree (Ph.D., Psy.D., or Ed.D.) and can work with humans or animals in various settings. Specializations vary.
  • Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychological disorders and can prescribe medications.
  • Psychiatric social workers have M.S.W. training and professional licenses (e.g., LCSW).

Practice Quiz Answers

  • 1. Evolutionary perspective focuses on universal biological traits.
  • 2. Biopsychological perspective is best for schizophrenia explanation.
  • 3. Behavioral perspective best explains Juan's dog's behavior. Dog learning is happening based on a similar sound.
  • 4. Psychodynamic perspective focuses on early childhood experiences in development.
  • 5. Psychologist has a non-medical doctorate.
  • 6. Psychologists frequently work at universities or colleges.

Scientific Research

  • The "airport game" demonstrates how people use physical appearances to make assumptions on other people's careers.
  • Psychology reduces uncertainty, minimizes bias, and promotes scientific thinking.
  • Critical thinking involves well-reasoned judgments.
  • Critical thinking is also about asking and seeking answers for relevant questions at the right time.
  • There are four basic criteria for critical thinking: few truths don't need testing, evidence quality varies, authorities aren't always correct, and the stronger a claim the better the evidence needs to be.

Thinking Critically About Critical Thinking

  • Everyday life involves scientific thinking; for example, evaluating claims about miracle weight-loss products.
  • Critical thinking involves reasoned judgments and the ability to ask relevant questions.
  • Critical thinking helps avoid false beliefs and poor decisions.
  • Four basic criteria for critical thinking are that very few truths are beyond testing, evidence quality varies, the claims of authorities aren't always truthful, and the stronger a claim, the better the evidence.

Scientific Approach in Psychology

  • Psychology has description, explanation, prediction, and control as its goals.
  • The scientific approach aims to reduce bias and error in measurement.
  • The five steps of the scientific approach: perceiving a question, forming a hypothesis, testing hypothesis, drawing conclusions, and reporting results.
  • Hypotheses should be testable.

Descriptive Methods

  • Naturalistic observation involves observing behavior in natural settings.
  • Laboratory observation involves observing behavior in controlled settings.
  • Case studies involve in-depth examinations of individuals.
  • Surveys involve gathering data from a large sample of people.

Correlations

  • Correlation measures the relationship between two or more variables.
  • A correlation coefficient ranges from -1.00 to +1.00.
  • A positive correlation indicates that as one variable increases, the other increases; a negative correlation means one increases as the other decreases.
  • Correlation does not prove causation.

Experiments

  • Experiments involve manipulating an independent variable to observe its effect on a dependent variable.
  • Random assignment ensures each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to either the experimental or control group.
  • The experimenter effect refers to how the experimenter's expectations can unintentionally influence the results.
  • Single-blind studies means the participants don't know whether they are in the experimental or control group while double-blind studies mean neither participants nor experimenters know this.

Ethical Considerations in Research with Humans and Animals

  • Psychology respects the rights and well-being of participants (or subjects).
  • Informed consent, debriefing, and protection from risk are essential parts of ethical research practices.
  • Participant withdrawal is allowed at any time, and data remains confidential.
  • Researchers are accountable for unintended negative consequences.
  • Animal welfare and care are crucial in animal research.

Applying Psychology to Everyday Life

  • Critical thinking should be used in evaluating information on social media.

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