Exam #1
Exam #1 Study Guide
Psychology: the scientific study of behavior and mental process
Pseudo psychology: any false and unscientific system of beliefs and practices that is offered as an explanation of behavior.
Scientific method: an empirical investigation that is structured so that it answers questions about the world.
• Making observations
• Defining a problem
• Proposing a hypothesis
• Gathering evidence/ testing the hypothesis
• Publishing results
• Theory building
4 Main goals of Psychology:
1. Describe:
What is happening? Detailing observations made, focus on the facts, naming, classifying,
2. Understanding:
The Why. What’s going on? Explaining an event; state the cause of the behavior.
3. Prediction:
Take what you have know and try to predict future behavior. Forecasting behavior accurately based upon valid and reliable information
4. Control:
Ability to alter conditions that affect behavior. Take what you know and change the behavior.
Research in Psychology: 5 Most Common Methods
1. Observational Research:
• Study behavior through direct observation
• Naturalistic vs. Laboratory: home vs. classroom
2. Correlational Studies:
• Comparing two or more characteristics to see if a relationship exists
• Positive correlation: a statistical relationship in which increases in one measure are matched by increases in the other. Stressors and suicide the more the stressors the higher the suicides
• Negative correlation: A statistical relationship in which increases in one measures are matched by decreases in the other. The higher the income the less the divorce rate.
• No correlation: one thing does not affect the other
3. Clinical Research:
• In depth examination of a person/ small group
• Primarily used for study of psychological or relationship issues that are difficult to experiment
• Case study method- most common: lots of time, work and money
4. Surveys:
• Public polling techniques to answer psychological questions
• Interviews,...
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