PSYC 2030 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Blue Moon, Normal Science, Psychopathology
Document Summary
Chapter 2: research in psychology objectives and ideals. What is psychological research and why do it? (cid:862)doi(cid:374)g ps(cid:455)(cid:272)holog(cid:455)(cid:863) means examining aspects of mental life and their impact on behaviour. Scientific method: a procedure for acquiring and testing knowledge through systematic observation or experimentation through use of empirical methods: a commitment to test knowledge through observation and (if possible) experimentation. It is a topic of great debate (particularly among philosophers of science) Empirical method: a procedure for obtaining information on the basis of observation: an activity based on observing the world. Therefore psychologists do not base their assertions (descriptions, predictions explanations and applications) simply on argument, opinion, gut feeling, logic etc. Ex: if you are trying to study the effects of separation on a relationship you might think about various factors (i. e. how much love is there between us, how long have we been in the relationship, etc. )
