PSYO 1011 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Central Tendency, Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Random Assignment

• School: Dalhousie University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYO 1011
• Professor: Leanne Stevens,Shelley Adamo,Kevin Duffy,Jennifer Stamp

Document Summary

It is key to be extremely skeptical at all times. Theories are a set of related assumptions with which testable predictions can be made. The scientific process: observe and make a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a specific, informed, and testable prediction of a particular set of conditions in a research design. This should be a very specific statement so that if proven wrong it can not be re-interpreted to actually be correct: predict a result, test and interpret the data, communicate the results. Operational definition : translates an abstract term into something observable and measurable. Scientific theory : results must be reproducible, the aim is always to disprove a hypothesis rather than to prove it. Pseudoscience : a form of statement that lacks the cumulative progress of a proper scientific test. It often disregards established facts or contradicts what is already known to make the theory viable. Began life as a very good magician.