Research Methods In Psychology Unit 1

Front 1

what are the four methods of knowing

Back 1

1. Tenacity
2. Authority
3. Rationalism
4. Empiricism

Front 2

Tenacity

Back 2

always believed it. includes superstitions, chance, and causaluty

Front 3

Authority

Back 3

authority figure, respected source

Front 4

Rationalism

Back 4

reason/logic. Something seems self evident, or a given intuition feels right.

Front 5

Empiricism

Back 5

observation. can see the same thing differently

Front 6

scientific

Back 6

combination of rationalism and empiricism

Front 7

truth or knowledge must be: (4 things)

Back 7

a. the same for every person
b. independent of opinions
c. in agreement with observation
d. reproducible (and self correcting)

Front 8

objectivity

Back 8

gathering of evidence is external to or independent of the mind. Makes us step out of our "nonconscious ideology"

Front 9

systematicness

Back 9

characterized by an orderly set of procedures, with a series of integrated steps

Front 10

Theory

Back 10

set of ideas that is abstract and conceptual

Front 11

hypothesis

Back 11

a specific and falsifiable prediction regarding the relationship among two or more variables

Front 12

operational definition

Back 12

a precise statement of how a conceptual variable is turned into a measured variable - observable

Front 13

The Flow of Research

Back 13

1. Identify the problem - develop a theory
2. Design the study - develop hypothesis (create operational definitions)
3. Conduct experiment
4. Interpret the data - support/revise theory
5. Communicate results

Front 14

Determinism

Back 14

The philosophical doctrine that every state of human affairs, including every human event, act or decision is the inevitable consequence of antecedent state of affairs

Front 15

Arguments against determinism (4)

Back 15

1. Perceived Freedom - feeling that our behavior is free from ext. constraints
2. Prediction - if behavior is predictable, it will be controllable
3. Free will
4. Moral Responsibility - if all behavior is the result of external factors, then we can have no system of moral responsibility.

Front 16

3 different versions of free will

Back 16

-behavior is random and chaotic
-desires/values are spontaneously formed
-external constraints may exist, but we can still act without their influence

Front 17

Determinist response to arguments (4)

Back 17

1. Perceived freedom - just because we are unaware of the feelings, doesn't mean they don't exist. -we spend time attempting to understand causes of others behavior - suggests we view it as determined.
2. Prediction - impossible, result of many factors
3. Free will - compatible with determinism
4. moral responsibility - we accept that there are certain causes external to control of the individual

Front 18

for two events to be causally related, they must first be _______

Back 18

associated

Front 19

how will we know a cause when one is present?

Back 19

by generating an operational definition

Front 20

we can never truly see one event produce another because: (2 reasons)

Back 20

1. conceptual or empirical intermediaries between a given cause and effect
2. can never rule out the possibility of a third factor

Front 21

3 elements of an operational definition

Back 21

1. Cause precedes effect
2. Many third factors ruled out
3. few side conditions exist

Front 22

Ethics

Back 22

rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession

Front 23

cost/benefit ratio

Back 23

subjective evaluation of risks and benefits, used to determine if research should be conducted

Front 24

APA General Principles (5)

Back 24

A. Beneficence and non maleficence -do good and do no harm
B. Fidelity and Responsibility -responsible, professional, trustworthy
C. Integrity -promote accuracy, honesty, truthfulness
D. Justice -fairness, justice, equality, free of bias
E. Respect for people's right's and dignity

Front 25

Informed consent

Back 25

explain nature of research, ultimate purpose, potential risks. Participants are free to withdraw. use language that is understandable. (not required in naturalistic observation)

Front 26

confidentiality

Back 26

agreement that identity of subject remains confidential - anonymous is ideal. increases truth in reporting and protects subjects

Front 27

deception

Back 27

eliminates demand characteristics, must be justified, must be explained in debriefing

Front 28

debriefing

Back 28

occurs as early as possible, full disclosure - purpose and subject's role. experiment should be educational

Front 29

Scientific Fraud

Back 29

fabrication of data, correction of errors

Front 30

Plagiarism

Back 30

taking credit for the work of someone else "ignorance is not a defence"