Summary
Chapter 2 Summary
- Course
- PSYC 1000 (PSYC1000)
- Institution
- Memorial University Of Newfoundland (MUNSU )
- Book
- Psychology
summary of chapter 2 psychology themes and variations 5th edition
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Psych 1000 Chapter 2 Textbook NotesPsychologists and other scientists share three sets of interrelated goals:
1. Measurement and description: science’s commitment to observation requires that an
investigator figure out a way to measure the phenomenon under study. Thus, the first
goal of psychology is to develop measurement techniques that make it possible to
describe behaviour clearly and precisely
2. Understanding and prediction: make and test a hypothesis.
3. Application and control: Many scientists hope that the information they gather will be
of some practical value in helping to solve everyday problems once people understand
the phenomenon they often can exert more control over it. to build toward a better
understanding of behaviour they construct theories.
Hypothesis: a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
Variables: are any measurable conditions, events, characteristics, or behaviours that are
controlled or observed in a study
How do theories help scientists to achieve their goals?
Theory: a system of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations.
By integrating apparently unrelated facts and principles into a coherent whole, the
series permits psychologists to make the leap from the description of behaviour to the
understanding of behaviour.
A scientific theory must be testable, as the cornerstone of science is, its commitment to putting
ideas to an empirical test.
● Steps in a scientific investigation:
scientific investigations are systematic
➔ Step 1: formulate a testable hypothesis
translate a theory or an intuitive idea into a testable hypothesis; to be testable, scientific
hypotheses must be formulated precisely, and the variables under study must be clearly
defined. researchers achieve these clear formulations by providing operational
definitions of the relevant variables.
, operational definition: describes the actions or operations that will be used to measure
or control a variable; establish precisely what is meant by each variable in the context of
a study
➔ Step 2: select the research method and design the study
figure out how to put the hypothesis to an empirical test. Each research method has
disadvantages and advantages. The researcher has to consider the pros and cons, and
then select the strategy that appears to be the most appropriate and practical. Once
researchers have chosen a general method they must make detailed plans for executing
their study.
participants: the persons or animals whose behaviour is systematically observed in a
study
➔ Step 3: collect the data
data collection techniques: Procedures for making empirical observations and
measurements; the data collection techniques used in a study depend largely on what is
being investigated
➔ Step 4: analyze the data and draw conclusions
The observations made in a study are usually converted into numbers, which constitute
the raw data of the study. Researchers use statistics to analyze their data and to decide
whether their hypothesis has been supported. Statistics play an essential role in the
scientific enterprise. Based on their statistical analyses, the researchers concluded that
their data supported their hypothesis
➔ Step 5: report the findings
The publication of research results in a fundamental aspect of scientific enterprise.
Scientific progress can be achieved only if researchers share their findings with one
another and with the general public. The final step in a scientific investigation is to write
up a concise summary of the study and its findings. Typically, researchers prepare a
report that is delivered at a scientific meeting and submitted to a journal for publication
Journal: a periodical that publishes Technical and scholarly material, usually in a
narrowly defined area of inquiry
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller haylmcar. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for CA$10.43. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75860 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now