PSYC201

• What is the objective of psychological science?

  To understand how and why people think
• What does psychological science aim to discover?

  How and why people think, feel, and behave
• What is epistemology in the context of research?

  Philosophical questions guiding researchers
• Who is associated with the scientific method and testable theories?

  Karl Popper
• What is the role of scientists according to Karl Popper?

  To create testable theories that can be proven false
• How does the definition of science according to Popper rule out certain theories?

  It excludes theories that cannot be proven false
• What is the responsibility of scientists according to Dr. Charles Royal?

  To share and nurture knowledge
• What does our epistemology shape in scientific research?

  Our theories considered as science
• What is the relationship between theory and method in scientific research?

  • Theory: Organizes data to explain phenomena
  • Method: Process of testing predictions
• How can we test the theory that alcohol improves memory?

  By testing it in rats
• What are the two methodological processes in research?

  1. Deductive process: Starts with a theory, generates a hypothesis, gathers data.
  2. Inductive process: Starts with data, identifies patterns, forms a theory.
• What does the deductive process begin with?

  A theory
• What is the purpose of generating a hypothesis in research?

  To specify predictions for testing
• What is the significance of gathering data in hypothesis testing?

  To examine the validity of the hypothesis
• What is the goal of describing in science?

  To observe and predict phenomena
• What does the Piff study on pedestrian crossings illustrate?

  Higher social class predicts unethical behavior
• What predictor might be used to determine if a driver stops for pedestrians?

  The type of car they drive
• How is embarrassment explained by Tucker Keltner?

  As a functional emotion signaling mistakes
• What are the different research designs in psychology?

  • Questionnaire/Survey
  • Naturalistic observation
  • Experimental designs
  • Case studies
• What is the null hypothesis in statistical testing?

  A hypothesis that cannot be proven true
• What do we test when evaluating the null hypothesis?

  If it is not true
• Why do we never have evidence for the alternative hypothesis?

  Because we cannot prove it true
• What is the implication of science not proving anything?

  It emphasizes the need for ongoing inquiry