PSYC 100 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Critical Thinking, Informed Consent, Regression Analysis

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 100
• Professor: Jordan Poppenk

Document Summary

Psychology: the science of behavior and mental process. Behaviour: any action that can be observed, recorder, and measured. In order to be certain about psychology we need to study it scientifically to avoid bias. Psychologist use a wide variety to research. To describe behavior: naturalistic observation, laboratory observation, case studies, surveys. Relationships between 2 variables: correlational designs. Cause and effect: experimental methods design an experiment. (cid:862)a(cid:374) idea, or (cid:272)o(cid:374)(cid:272)eptual (cid:373)odel, that is desig(cid:374)ed to e(cid:454)plai(cid:374) e(cid:454)isti(cid:374)g facts and (cid:373)ake predi(cid:272)tio(cid:374)s a(cid:271)out (cid:374)e(cid:449) fa(cid:272)ts that (cid:373)ight (cid:271)e dis(cid:272)o(cid:448)ered(cid:863) Famous theory: charles darwin theory of evolution. Can be modified based on new evidence. Hypothesis are used to test a theory. Hypothesis is a testable prediction about processes that can be measured and observed. The scientific method focuses on verifiability and objectivity. Sometimes referred to as empiricism: the gaining of knowledge through observational facts and experiences. Any fact or experience must be verifiable (can be replicated)