Psychology 1000 Study Guide - Quiz Guide: Naturalistic Observation, Operational Definition, Dependent And Independent Variables
3 Jun 2018
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Studying Behaviour Scientifically
Steps in the Scientific Process
• Initial observation/question
• Form hypothesis
o Tentative explanation or prediction about some phenomenon
o Gather clues and logically analyze them
• Test hypothesis
o Conduct research, gather evidence
• Analyze data
o Analyze information and draw tentative conclusions
• Further research and theory building
o Theory: Set of formal statements that explain how and why certain events are
related to one another
• New hypothesis derived from theory
o Theory used to develop new hypotheses, which are then tested by conducting
additional research and gathering evidence
o Allows for self-correcting theories
Two Approaches to Understanding Behaviour
• Hindsight Understanding – Arrive at explanations after-the-fact
o Major limitation is due to various explanations for behaviour with no sure way to
determine correct alternative
• Understanding through Prediction, Control, and Theory Building
o Theory development is strongest test of scientific understanding, because good
theories generate an integrated network of predictions
▪ Incorporates existing facts and observations within single broad
framework
▪ Testable, generating new hypotheses whose accuracy can be evaluated
by gathering new evidence
▪ Predictions supported by findings of new research
▪ Conforms to law of parsimony: If two theories can explain and predict the
same phenomena equally well, the simpler is preferred
o Theory never regarded as absolute truth, as future observation can contradict it
o Prediction does not require understanding
Defining and Measuring Variables
• Variable: Any characteristic that can differ (Gender, age, ethnicity, etc.)
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