PSYCH-190 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Naturalistic Observation, Scientific Method, Psych
16 Dec 2020
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Document Summary
Science is not defined by what it investigates but by how it investigates. In taking a scientific path to adolescent development, it is important to follow the scientific method: conceptualize a process or problem to be studied, collect research information (data, analyze data, draw conclusions. When researchers are formulating a problem to study, they often draw on theories and develop hypotheses. Theory: an interrelated, coherent set of ideas that helps to explain phenomena and make predictions. Hypothesis: a specific assertion or prediction that can be tested. Four theoretical orientations to development: psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioral and social cognitive, ecological. Each contributes an important piece to the adolescent developmental puzzle. Although the theories disagree about certain aspects of development, many of their ideas are complementary rather than contradictory. Naturalistic observation: observing behavior in real-world settings, making no effort to manipulate or control the situation: provides insights sometimes not possible in the laboratory.
