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Explanation in Scientific Psychology

Chapter 1 of the document discusses the nature of scientific psychology, emphasizing the importance of scientific curiosity, skepticism, and the scientific method. It outlines the distinction between scientific and nonscientific beliefs, the role of theories in organizing data and generating hypotheses, and the process of induction and deduction in theory development. Additionally, it highlights the significance of applied versus basic research and the challenges of generalizing findings to real-world contexts.

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Aish Ali
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9 views14 pages

Explanation in Scientific Psychology

Chapter 1 of the document discusses the nature of scientific psychology, emphasizing the importance of scientific curiosity, skepticism, and the scientific method. It outlines the distinction between scientific and nonscientific beliefs, the role of theories in organizing data and generating hypotheses, and the process of induction and deduction in theory development. Additionally, it highlights the significance of applied versus basic research and the challenges of generalizing findings to real-world contexts.

Uploaded by

Aish Ali
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Experimental

Psychology
CHAPTER 1 – EXPLANATION IN SCIENTIFIC
PSYCHOLOGY
Scientific Curiosity

 “…Scientists are willing to go to much greater


lengths to satisfy their curiosity than are
nonscientists.” Kantowitz et al, pg 5
 Scientists want to know answers but are also
willing to tolerate a lack of clear answers.
 Skepticism is the philosophical belief that the
truth of all knowledge is questionable.
 No fact can be known with 100% certainty.
Science vs Non-science
 Nonscientific beliefs come from:
 Tenacity -- believe in spite of contrary evidence (cling
to belief, refuse to change)
 Bigotry results from this approach
 Authority -- believe because an authority told you (take
it on faith)
 Religious views are acquired this way
 A-priori methods -- believe without prior study (believe
what seems reasonable)
 Scientific beliefs are based on experience.
 We can determine the causes of events through
observation.
Scientific Method

 The scientific method is designed to eliminate


human problems with thinking.
 Belief is based on empirical observation.
 Empirical means “based on experience”
 Observation must be systematic, not haphazard,
selective or confirmatory.
 An advantage of science is that it provides a
way of selecting one belief over another.
 It is self-correcting because beliefs are
abandoned when they do not fit the facts.
Scientific Analysis

Goal Methods

Describe behavior Naturalistic observation,


Surveys, Case studies
Predict behavior Correlational methods

Explain behavior Experimental methods

Change & control behavior Apply findings


What is a Theory?
 A set of related statements that explains a variety of
occurrences (Kantowitz)
 An interrelated set of concepts used to explain a
body of data and make predictions about future
expts (Stanovich)
 A statement of the probable relationships among a
set of abstract variables (Martin)
 A set of assumptions about the causes of behavior
and the rules that specify how the causes operate
(Bordens).
Theories - Properties
 Theories help organize large amounts of data.
 Theories generate hypotheses (predictions).
 Theories help to better understand the world -- we
hope to apply (generalize) to new, unstudied
situations.
 Theories are subjected to empirical test and
retained, modified, or rejected.
Induction and Deduction

Theory Deduction

Modify Prediction
Theory

Observations
Induction
If observation were complete, we wouldn’t
need theory. But observation can never
include all facts.
Falsification Approach

 It isn’t enough to show that facts support a


theory – the same facts can support different
theories, so which is true?
 If a theory is not supported by data, it must be
false and can be abandoned.
 Popper proposed that we learn more about truth
by falsifying incorrect theories than supporting
theories.
 Knowledge advances by testing and falsifying
alternative explanations in successive studies.
Theories - Evaluation
 Does the theory cover everything it should?
 Is it concise?
 Is it clearly expressed?
 Do all the bits of the theory hang together?
 Can the theory be tested?
 Is there evidence to support the theory?
 Does the theory help us think in new and interesting
ways?
Intervening variables

 Abstract concepts that link the IV and DV


 Add to the efficiency of theorizing
 “Thirst” example from book is an excellent
example!
 Sometimes called “constructs.”

Hours of deprivation Rate of bar pressing

Hours of deprivation Thirst Rate of bar pressing


Foxes versus Hedgehogs

 The fox knows many things – generalists


 Multidisciplinary, tolerant of complexity,
adaptable, cautious (probabilistic), empirical (rely
on observations).
 The hedgehog knows one big thing – specialists
 Focused on a few great problems, stalwart (sticks
to the same approach), order-seeking, confident,
ideological (theory-driven).
 Science needs both! Foxes forecast better.
Psychology and the Real
World
 Applied research -- solves a specific problem.
 Basic research – conducted to answer questions
arising from curiosity, to advance
understanding of a phenomenon.
 Generalization – taking findings from the lab
into real-world contexts.
 The extent to which this can be done varies.
 Human factors, engineering psychology, and
other applied fields.
 Point to ponder:
Are Experiments Too Far from Real Life?
Next we will study …

 What are experiments.

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