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Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
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Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
Introduction to Psychological Research Methods
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1
Question
What defines a psychologist according to the introductory psychology course perspective?
Page 1
Answer
A psychologist studies behavior through research.
2
Question
What is psychology described as in terms of its scientific focus?
Page 1
Answer
A science that investigates behaviors, mental processes, and their causes.
3
Question
What is the goal of the textbook regarding research design in psychology?
Page 1
Answer
To provide a step-by-step approach from purpose of research to describing findings.
4
Question
What are the four primary ways humans learn new facts according to the text?
Page 2
Answer
Intuition, deduction, authority, and observation.
5
Question
How is intuition defined as a way of knowing about the world?
Page 6
Answer
Relying on common sense as a means of knowing about the world.
6
Question
What does deduction involve as a means of knowing?
Page 6
Answer
Using logical reasoning and current knowledge as a means of knowing about the world.
7
Question
How is authority characterized as a source of knowledge?
Page 6
Answer
Relying on a knowledgeable person or group as a means of knowing about the world.
8
Question
What defines observation in the context of gaining knowledge?
Page 6
Answer
Relying on what one observes as a means of knowing about the world.
9
Question
Why do psychologists conduct behavioral research primarily?
Page 2
Answer
It is the best way to ensure accurate information about behavior.
10
Question
What sets scientific fields like psychology apart from fields like history?
Page 2
Answer
The ability to directly observe the phenomena of interest.
11
Question
How do psychologists study mental processes that cannot be directly observed?
Page 2
Answer
By inferring them through observation of specific affected behaviors.
12
Question
Why do helping professionals like clinicians need research knowledge?
Page 2
Answer
To understand effective treatments, therapies, normal behavior, and abnormal behavior.
13
Question
How does psychological research parallel biological research fields?
Page 2
Answer
Basic researchers study causes, applied test treatments, practitioners apply to patients.
14
Question
What advantage do psychologists have over historians in studying their subject?
Page 2
Answer
Behaviors occur in the present world and can be directly observed.
15
Question
What are the four canons of the scientific method in psychology?
Page 4
Answer
Empiricism, determinism, parsimony, and testability.
16
Question
Why does observing behavior provide a more accurate understanding than authority?
Page 4
Answer
Authority limits understanding across large groups and may have faulty information.
17
Question
Name three ways to use empiricism to learn about behavior.
Page 4
Answer
Observe in natural environment, complete surveys, or lab tasks on computers.
18
Question
Why is one observation never sufficient for scientific knowledge?
Page 4
Answer
Chance factors can influence single observations; replication across individuals and studies needed.
19
Question
What is determinism in the scientific method?
Page 5
Answer
Phenomena and human behaviors occur naturally and have identifiable causes.
20
Question
How is determinism applied in psychological research goals?
Page 4
Answer
Through describing behaviors, identifying related factors, and testing specific causes.
21
Question
What does parsimony prefer in explanations of behavior?
Page 5
Answer
Simpler explanations over more complex ones unless evidence shows otherwise.
22
Question
Why is parsimony useful for designing psychological research studies?
Page 5
Answer
Easier to falsify simple explanations than complex ones.
23
Question
What is testability as a canon of science?
Page 5
Answer
Explanations of behavior can be tested and falsified through observation.
24
Question
Why is falsifiability important in testing behavioral explanations?
Page 5
Answer
Provides stronger tests by allowing contradiction, avoiding confirmation bias.
25
Question
What is confirmation bias in scientific context?
Page 6
Answer
Seeking only evidence supporting beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence.
26
Question
How many studies are typically needed to falsify versus support a behavioral explanation?
Page 5
Answer
Few inconsistent studies falsify; many consistent studies across contexts support.
27
Question
Why have many of Freud's ideas had less influence in modern psychology?
Page 5
Answer
Difficult to test using scientific method due to unobservable constructs.
28
Question
How can falsifiability test the idea that anxiety causes sleeplessness?
Page 6
Answer
Observe sleeplessness behaviors when people verified anxious are sleeping well.
29
Question
What advances psychological science more than supportive evidence?
Page 6
Answer
Falsification of accepted explanations.
30
Question
What is the goal of basic research in psychology?
Page 6
Answer
To understand fundamental processes of behavior and how they operate.